Time Machine
Tatler Hong Kong|May 2023
Mark Cho, the co-founder of The Armoury, an international men's clothing boutique, speaks to Tatler about his love for small dials and why selling watches is important
Amrita Katara
Time Machine

Mark Cho is busy on the day I meet him, working with a trio of customers in his tastefully designed men's clothing boutique The Armoury in Hong Kong's Pedder Building. Cho and his business partner Alan See founded their company in 2010 to combine their passions for handcrafted tailoring and classic personal style for men. The boutique has increased its accessibility to a discerning clientele with a store on the Upper East Side of New York, and also provides artisanal shoemaking services. Although both men are known for liking the finer things in life, Cho is particularly well regarded as something of a luxury watch connoisseur.

As we settle in to talk about Cho's passion for watches in the cigar room conveniently located a level above the store, I notice the unique Royal Oak on his wrist. "Try it on," he says as he casually unwraps it from his wrist. "I love small dials," he adds as I soak in its beauty, the unusual 33mm black dial accompanied by a dull matt bracelet with mirrored chamfers which sits heavy on the wrist.

I ask what is it about them that he loves. "It's just a personal style," he says, as the smoke from his cigar envelops him.

But he's not alone: after surveying over 1,000 people via his Instagram page about their watch preferences and wrist measurements, Cho discovered that many believe "watchmakers were making everything too big". Even people with perfectly proportionate wrists start to feel their limbs are abnormally small; he says that as a result, even when people's wrists are of ordinary size, they start to believe that they are too small. His findings were published on watch platforms such as Worn & Wound and Hodinkee, as well as in a YouTube interview with the Horological Society of New York in an attempt to raise awareness about wrist sizes.

Bu hikaye Tatler Hong Kong dergisinin May 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

Bu hikaye Tatler Hong Kong dergisinin May 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

TATLER HONG KONG DERGISINDEN DAHA FAZLA HIKAYETümünü görüntüle
THE LAST WORD
Tatler Hong Kong

THE LAST WORD

Every issue, we ask our cover star a round of quickfire questions that give us a little more insight into their personalities. This month: Gulf Kanawut lays it bare

time-read
1 min  |
July 2024
WOMEN AT THE WICKET
Tatler Hong Kong

WOMEN AT THE WICKET

Asia's women's cricket teams from outside the Indian subcontinent have been rapidly rising up through the ranks, creating opportunities, breaking barriers and changing the game as they go

time-read
10+ dak  |
July 2024
TIME TURNER
Tatler Hong Kong

TIME TURNER

A 2024 Turner Prize nominee, British Filipino artist Pio Abad talks to Tatler about carrying on family legacy, unearthing historical connections and why the Philippines is always at the core of his work

time-read
7 dak  |
July 2024
ROYAL RICHES
Tatler Hong Kong

ROYAL RICHES

Ahead of the opening of Prince and the Peacock, Black Sheep Restaurants' latest establishment, Tatler joins the hospitality group on a culinary pilgrimage to India

time-read
8 dak  |
July 2024
MAKING HER POINT
Tatler Hong Kong

MAKING HER POINT

Foil fencer Daphne Chan is happy to see the rising interest in her sport since Cheung Ka-long's historic win, and is headed to the Games with impressive wins behind her. But she's not allowing the pressure to get to her, and is most excited about who she might meet in Paris

time-read
3 dak  |
July 2024
IN IT TO WIN IT
Tatler Hong Kong

IN IT TO WIN IT

Hong Kong freestyle swimmer Ian Ho, whose Instagram handle @Amphlb_ian playfully alludes to his aquatic prowess, competed at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo and won silver in the men's 50 metres freestyle at the 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou. This month, he will represent Hong Kong at the Paris Olympics. He talks to Tatler about making Hong Kong proud, life as a student and professional athlete-and why relaxing is the way forward

time-read
3 dak  |
July 2024
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Tatler Hong Kong

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

Two-time Olympic swimmer Camille Cheng thought Tokyo 2020 would be her last Games, but competing in Paris was too big a draw for the French Chinese athlete

time-read
3 dak  |
July 2024
INTRIGUE AND INTRICACIES
Tatler Hong Kong

INTRIGUE AND INTRICACIES

Parisian artist Ugo Gattoni takes us through his elaborately designed poster for the Olympics and Paralympics in his home city this month

time-read
3 dak  |
July 2024
Crafting a New Legacy
Tatler Hong Kong

Crafting a New Legacy

Nicholas Lieou, creative director of high jewellery at Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Group, is reimagining jewellery, as the brand celebrates its 95th anniversary

time-read
2 dak  |
July 2024
A Lasting Legacy
Tatler Hong Kong

A Lasting Legacy

Tatler explores Cartier's latest Watches and Wonders novelties with the maison's image, style and heritage director, who explains how the luxury house continues to create designs that are relevant today, yet rooted in legacy

time-read
3 dak  |
July 2024