What is something most people don’t know about you?
I took a year off to live in Shijiazhuang, China, a city I chose online after searching for an environment with strong Mandarin accents, very few foreigners, and a one-on-one language school. I studied Chinese six to eight hours a day, even on weekends. It was one of the loneliest years of my life, but also one of the most important. My language school kicked me out for being too rebellious. It was more important to speak fluently than to write characters, so I started a small revolution among students over methodology, pricing, and other issues. That’s when I got booted.
After that, I went to a local university and, dressed like a beggar, recruited students training to become Chinese-language teachers using a sign written in broken Chinese. Although it wasn’t my most dignified moment, it worked and probably explains a lot about me: when I want to learn or build something, I find my own way.
How has your taste evolved over time?
Even though I grew up modestly, I was always drawn to things that felt bigger, more special, or more excessive than what was around me. My taste has evolved from being influenced by societal expressions of status—such as drinking specific wines, whiskies, and wearing specific watches—to being more personal and authentic.
I like what I like. Burgundy isn’t necessarily good just because everyone says it is, older whiskies aren’t all better, and I will always appreciate any Audi S or Subaru WRX made during the 1990s.
What makes luxury different from discernment?
Social media has made luxury the centre of attention. Discernment is knowing when the best thing is sitting quietly next to it. Denim made this clear to me. I helped found a Japanese denim brand and spending time in raw denim mills in Japan changed how I view fabrics. Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Dior, and other luxury denim brands utilise the same shuttle looms as more affordable Japanese denim makers. Because of branding and narrative, both can be beautiful, but they sell at entirely diverse levels.
“It is smooth and sweet with a long finish. This blend tastes nostalgic to me.”
What attracts you to watches and whisky these days?
There is more to a watch than just telling time. Collectors often attach it to moments in life. It may be the one you wore when you were younger and could only afford something modest, the one your father had when you were a child, or the one you had on when you got married. Watches carry their own histories but over time they also begin to carry yours. In a unique way, whisky has a similar emotional quality. It is also tied to memories: sitting with friends, listening to your favourite album alone, celebrating something, or finally opening a bottle you have been saving for the right occasion.
Tell us about the watch you’re wearing.
After years of working together in different businesses, my friend and I had just been through a particularly tough time. Many battles side-by-side made it obvious that it needed to be remembered. So, we bought the same watch, the masculine equivalent of friendship bracelets that symbolised our friendship, trust, and our long-term business relationship.
I chose the blue ceramic Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore, while he liked the black ceramic version. I love the polish, the finish, the way the blue shifts under different lighting, and even the way it sits on my wrist.
What’s the most memorable conversation you’ve ever had because of a watch or a glass of whisky?
Watches have helped me meet and connect with some of my closest friends. Watch lovers are passionate about their hobby, which makes conversation easy. After talking about a dial, a movement, or a reference, you have completely abandoned watches and are talking about everything else, including life, family, and work.
While whisky may not be as much of a conversation starter, it has been more meaningful in this regard. I have had some of my most important conversations over a glass of whisky. A small group of friends and I used to have a cigar and book club. They became some of my closest friends as a result. Our conversations about life, death, love, work, and whatever else was going on in our lives at the moment are irreplaceable to me.
What legacy would you like to leave behind?
As a person who cares about people, I want to be remembered for helping them live closer to their potential and creating opportunities for them that might not have otherwise existed. This applies to my family, friends, and coworkers. My favourite thing about building companies and teams is seeing people become more confident, more ambitious, and more able to enjoy their lives because I played some part in that journey.
Enjoy Royal Salute responsibly.
Photography Mun Kong
Art Direction Ed Harland
Grooming Sarah Tan, using MAC and Goldwell
Photography assistant Melvin Leong
