Emotion In Motion

For Dato’ Sri Tan Aik Kiong, his interest in watches progressed from curiosity into a full-blown love affair. Here, he shares anecdotes and advice about timepieces

- Tien Chew And Lily Ong

When we met him at the executive lounge of Pearl International Hotel, Dato’ Sri Tan Aik Kiong was effusive and warm from the get-go. The group executive chairman of Aikbee Group sat us all down, made sure we were comfortable and amused us with a few jokes even before we asked our first question. An inquisitive person by nature, he developed an interest in timepieces by chance about a decade ago. “Watches and its workings interest me, so I started reading more to learn about brands and mechanisms. I educated myself first before I began collecting my watches,” he says. He gave Malaysia Tatler an exclusive peek behind his collecting journey, detailing how he received his sentimental pieces and why he holds Patek Philippe watches in high regard.

Malaysia Tatler (MT): Do you remember your first watch? How did you acquire it?

Dato’ Sri Tan Aik Kiong: (DSTAK): I received my first Swiss luxury watch in 1999 from my parents. We were on holiday in Switzerland and they gifted me with a Rolex. I still cherish that watch until today.

MT: Is that a sentimental watch for you?

DSTAK: Yes, of course!