A Man And His Watch

Men's Folio Malaysia speaks to watch collectors about the first watch that drew them into the hobby.

- Stuart Danker

KOH YU-JIN, 25, PROJECT MANAGER

My first watch was a Flik Flak and it meant the world to me. But perhaps it was the Orient Sun & Moon that made me realise I was truly growing up when it came to this hobby.

The funny part about that watch is that I had initially intended to buy a cheap watch - one without any heritage. Thankfully, my dad was an avid collector himself, and he advised me to look into brands that had a bit more of a history. That was how I ended up getting the Orient. I still remember the feeling of walking into the store and not knowing what I was looking at. I am glad that I have since learned so much more about watches.

My dad has always been a huge influence on me. I remember one day when - just out of the blue - he gifted me a Rolex 6694. There was no big announcement. He just passed it to me like one would pass the salt, and knowing it was a meaningful gesture to him despite his casual demeanour just added to the sentimentality. It remains one of my most prized watches today.

A lot of the watches I own have stories behind them. Many are gifts that mark big occasions, too. The Longines Legend Diver 36 - for instance - was a graduation gift. The Oris Big Crown Pointer Date was passed down by my mum. The Grand Seiko 45GS was an impulse buy that reignited my interest in watch collecting.