Dominic Liew's passion for horology is such that he has never sold a single watch nor regretted a purchase through his 18-year collecting journey.
Ever since buying his first timepiece, a steel, no-date Rolex Submariner Ref.
14060M, as a teenager, he has discovered the beauty of independent watchmaking, visited multiple manufactures in Switzerland, and amassed close to 50 luxury acquisitions.
Here, the collector, who was once the youngest ever to own an MB&F watch, offers interesting tidbits on everything a budding enthusiast needs to knowfrom how he expanded his horizons and the horologists he admires to his personal preferences and views on the industry and community.
THE "WHY" OF A WATCH
"Many brands produce the same complications, similarly extremely wellfinished movements, and design unique cases. However, what finally makes me pick one brand or watch over the other is the story behind it.
Why was it created? Was it to solve an existing problem or limitation? Was it to improve on what was already in the market? Or was it because the designer or watchmaker was inspired by certain things in his past and that the only way he knew how to express it was to create that particular timepiece?"
PERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS MATTER
"A very significant part of why I buy what I buy is due to the personal relationships I've made. It's the connection with the watchmakers, the brand, and sales representatives, some of whom have seen and known me since I was a teenager with hardly any knowledge. They took me seriously and taught me so much about the world of watches."
BUY WHAT MAKES YOU HAPPY
"We're living in a time when a timepiece's overall value proposition and attractiveness are increasingly tied to its secondary market value, the current hype, and the perceived difficulty in acquiring it from a retailer or boutique.
Denne historien er fra January 2025-utgaven av The PEAK Singapore.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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Denne historien er fra January 2025-utgaven av The PEAK Singapore.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
SECRET FUN
Behind imposing angular structures lies a portal to the family's very own clubhouse, complete with a pool and basketball court.
RATTAN REIMAGINED
From chance discovery to mastery, Ng Si Ying’s journey into rattan weaving bridges tradition and modernity with every piece she creates.
AN APPETITE FOR ADVENTURE
Forget the pampering body wraps and hot stone massages. Andrew Leci discovers that adventure is the best path to a spiritual awakening.
PARADISE, PRESERVED
Luxury and purpose are embraced at this idyllic retreat tucked away in Indonesia’s Anambas Archipelago.
GRAPES OF CHANGE
The time is ripe to explore the burgeoning potential of Asia's wine regions, where innovative winemakers are cultivating distinct flavours and putting their mark on the global wine scene.
VESSELS OF THE HEART
Daisuke Shibuya, head sommelier at one-Michelin-starred Terra, shares his penchant for collecting cups and glasses, and how his eclectic collection mirrors his approach to wine.
ONE OF ONE
At the by-appointment-only Rolls-Royce Private Office Seoul, where clients can commission bespoke, one-of-a-kind Rolls-Royce creations, nothing is too complex or unattainable.
WATCH HIS WORLD
Radiologist and self-professed watch addict Dominic Liew, who began collecting at 15, shares what makes him tick.
PERFECTION PERSONIFIED
Swiss master artisan Agnes Paul-Depasse, who makes straw, feather, and silk thread marquetry dials for Hermes, reveals eight fascinating truths about such rare historical crafts.
FACES OF CHANGE
These days, it's not unusual for watch brands to have exclusive boutiques.