A Storied Journey

A Seiko watch gift from late hotelier Hari Harilela sparked lawyer Kelvin Tan's lifelong passion for the brand.

- YANNI TAN

Utilitarian, understated, and traditional. That’s how Kelvin Tan, a law firm director, describes himself and the kinds of watches he likes. Perhaps it was more than serendipitous that a friend of his parents, the late hospitality magnate Hari Harilela, had given him a Seiko Quartz Chronograph for his 18th birthday.

Today, 34 years later, Tan has amassed an impressive 18 Seiko and Grand Seiko watches among his current collection of 40. The timepieces range wildly — from a $26 digital Casio bought on a whim as a couple’s pair at Mustafa Shopping Centre to five-digit horology icons, such as the Rolex Cosmograph Daytona and GMTMaster “Pepsi”, Omega 60th Anniversary Speedmaster “Snoopy” 2003, and H. Moser & Cie Endeavour.

His real enthusiasm, however, is for the kind of watchmaking minimalism exemplified by Seiko Watch Corporation. “A quiet aesthetic is the most important to me, regardless of prestige,” he states. “I like clean lines, elegant decoration, excellent finishing, and a compact enough size to fit under shirt sleeves. Admittedly, the company’s design philosophy is one you either like or don’t.”

WEALTH OF STORIES

“I am drawn to stories,” says Tan, who began collecting in earnest 20 years ago after joining a car forum and learning more from his watch aficionado friends. And he has plenty to share about Seiko and Grand Seiko, currently two distinct brands sharing the same heritage, with Grand Seiko Automatic Hi-Beat 36000 the latter being managed as the luxury division of the former until 2017.