Telling Time with Patrick and Mandy Ng

If you could only keep three timepieces to pass on, or to keep for life, what would they be?

Patrick Ng: That’s a really tough choice! I truly love every watch in my collection. It may be a very complicated timepiece or a very simple watch. But if I have to name 3, the first would be the Ref. 6002, the Sky Moon Tourbillon. The second would be the Ref. 5531R-013 World Time Minute Repeater 2019 Special Edition for the Watch Art Grand Exhibition in Singapore. The third would be the Ref. 5077P.

Why these three? The first is one of the ultimate masterpieces created by Patek Philippe. It’s a highly coveted watch by serious collectors and they will know each Sky Moon Tourbillon is crafted individually by a single watchmaker. To qualify to do that, it takes years and years of experience. The master watchmaker creates each one themselves, and every watch takes thousands of hours. And it’s a process that doesn’t allow for errors; if you make one, you have to start over. When a watchmaker works on that timepiece, he has to give it 110%. They have to be fully confident and every single piece that exists today represents the dedication of that master watchmaker. It’s an act of creation.

For the Ref. 5531R-013, it’s a special edition that was created for the Singapore Grand Exhibition and it’s another favourite of mine. There’s only 5 that were made, so it’s already very special in that sense but it also shows Singapore on the world time ring on the dial which is a point of pride for me. It shows how Singapore is connected to the rest of the world, and when I’m overseas and I’m wearing the watch, I look at it and it reminds me of home wherever I am.

As for the Ref. 5077, it’s from Patek Philippe’s Rare Handcrafts collection and my wife’s favourite piece. It’s an enamel timepiece with butterflies on the dial and when you look at it, it’s a very simple watch with a very simply and classic movement. It’s a watch that illustrates the everlasting beauty of it, like my wife.

Mandy Ng: It’s a work of art, but one that you wear on your wrist rather than place on a wall. When we were at the manufacture we had the opportunity to see the enamel artists of Patek Philippe at work. Each dial literally starts with miniature painting, which is an incredible skill in itself. They have to paint each colour layer by layer, then put it in the kiln and heat it just right, and repeat the process over and over in order to perfect each dial. If it cracks, that’s it. There are so many variables that can go wrong, so the artist must be truly skilled to be able to get every dial right. And each one is unique.

What keeps you returning to Cortina Watch to acquire your watches?

Patrick Ng: I can sum it up with 3 letters: HRT. That’s Honesty, Reliability and Trust. These are values that I feel very dearly about personally. They are values that I respect in my own business as well. So whenever I deal with Cortina or Raymond himself, I never worry about anything because they are incredibly consistent and trustworthy. It’s very relaxing to be able to deal with someone like that, especially when it’s something you’re passionate and interested in. It’s something that I appreciate a lot. There are times when we can’t get a watch and you can trust that they aren’t holding back. When they say they will try to deliver a watch, you know they will make every effort to fulfill their promise. And with reliability, if I come across a watch and I ask them about it, I know that the advice they will offer or the input they have will be valuable and insightful.

On Cortina Watch’s 50th anniversary, what would you like to say to the management and staff?

Patrick Ng: I think every celebration, every anniversary is a reflection of asking oneself why are we here, what are we doing here and how do we improve things? Cortina having been around for 50 years really means one thing: they have been very good, with the right formula for success. It’s something I’ve experienced with Pan United Corporation which was started by my father. They are constantly trying to improve, to perfect. They started off with a simple shop and it takes a lot of effort, thought and hard work to build it into what it is today. So I’m proud for them, and honoured to be a part of their celebrations.

Mandy Ng: I would like to wish Cortina even greater success in the future. I think they have big plans for the future, and it’s very exciting to be able to see their success and be a part of their story.

Read more interviews here.