The Time is Now for this High Horology Player

A decade after wading into watchmaking, Singaporean Benjamin Chee has big plans for his three brands. Just don’t call him entrepreneurial.

- LYNETTE KOH

For your average horology entrepreneur, one brand would be plenty. Since 2012, Benjamin Chee has established three fine watch brands that are highly regarded by collectors and the media.

The long-time horology enthusiast has also ventured into other fields such as fashion (including a remote bespoke suit service and a high-end polo shirt business) and, interestingly enough, caviar (now on pause because Chee wants to focus on his watch brands).

When we ask if he has always been entrepreneurial, however, the 37-year-old demurs. “It never started as an entrepreneurial thing,” he says in a cheerful baritone from a private room at the local Ritz-Carlton, where he is on a two-week workation. “It’s more about me always wanting to tweak something to my exact wishes because I feel I can do better, whether it’s caviar or watches. I’m a bit of a perfectionist, for better or for worse.”