TIME IS A LUXURY

RICHARD AND SARAH LAHBATI-GUTIERREZ share how they maximize life in lockdown, teaching and learning from their kids, and helping out the less fortunate

- RICHARD AND SARAH LAHBATI-GUTIERREZ

Constantly checking the time is the norm for Sarah Lahbati-Gutierrez. Whether it’s for a meeting, a workout, or a class, it’s imperative for her to be on time.

“I was born and raised in Switzerland where time is such a big thing,” she tells Lifestyle Asia. “No one is ever late and if you are, it’s almost like you did something so terrible.”

In such instances, a timepiece comes in handy for Sarah and her husband, Richard. In fact, it’s an interest they both share. And while they are not watch experts, both consider it a style staple.

Sarah typically goes for a dress watch, one that suits her wrist size and has multiple functions. As a certified AIDA International freediver, however, she says she's currently eyeing a diving watch like the Omega classic underwater watch, Seamaster.

Richard, who admits “there’s not a day that I don’t wear a watch,” considers a timepiece as a necessity for today’s man. “You can tell the style and personality of the person by the watch they are wearing,” he adds.

He has invested in a handful of watches and when he looks to add to his current collection, he takes into consideration build quality, durability, attention to design details, and the brand’s reputation.

“It also depends on how I see myself using the watch. Is it for adventure? Is it for everyday wear? Is it for formal events?” he muses.

MAKING THE MOST OUT OF TIME

But apart from being stylish and punctual, time itself has become even more valuable for the couple during the pandemic, where everyone was driven indoors by lockdowns.