#THGMalmaisonSalonSessions  – 90’s hip hop with Earn Chen

Interviews • 22 Mar 2016

#THGMalmaisonSalonSessions – 90’s hip hop with Earn Chen


It’s always #ThrowbackThursday with 90’s hip hop disciple, lifestyle entrepreneur and restaurateur Earn Chen.

 

Earn Chen wearing Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Extra ThinEarn Chen at Malmaison’s marble staircase, wearing the 50 pieces only Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Extra-Thin The Hour Glass Limited Edition in 18K yellow gold.

 

Now that you’ve got your favourite gold watch in the world, what’s next? Would it be the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak you are wearing today?
Each watch I own represents a phase or an era. I get bored of styles really quickly, and as soon as something becomes popular, I tend to move away and search for the next new thing. For example, the Rolex Daytona Paul Newman 6263, that’s a good watch. It’s so special and rare that if you own one, you feel like you’re in a secret club. I know a lot of people who get really into it and study the movement, construction and such, but I’m not that kind of guy. The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak 18K yellow gold watch I’m wearing today is very much in line with what I like, it’s limited edition, it’s bold and of course, it’s also very gold. I’m simple and I just stick to what I like!

So to you, a watch is symbol of a particular culture you’re into?
I guess you can put it that way. When I’m into a certain style, I want to indulge in it all; the culture, the fashion, the art, the music, the car. It’s funny though, as I grow older, I feel like the strongest influences are the ones from my own coming of age period. From a creative perspective, I love finding inspiration from my youth.

As a recognised trendsetter, having set up one of the city’s first contemporary menswear stores Surrender, what do you foresee as the next big wave in luxury watches? What will people be buying next?
I don’t know any guy who isn’t into watches. I feel that even with the tech innovation that’s happening now with mass adoption of smartwatches, people are still going to buy a traditional timepiece. They are symbolic, timeless, and something you can pass on to the next generation.

Earn Chen wearing Richard Mille RM011 Flyback Chronograph

Earn Chen wearing a Richard Mille RM011 Flyback Chronograph

 

Keong Siak Road’s Potato Head Folk has only been in business for less than 2 years and is already a must-visit destination in Singapore, what do you think were the key elements to your success?
We are a bunch of guys who are really passionate about what we do. My partners at PTT all share a similar aesthetic, although we have different passions. Ronald is into art, Jason is into classic cars, whilst I’m into fashion. This is important because the PTT portfolio fuses f&b, music and fashion so it’s good to have a team with a range of interests.

You’re an expert in conceiving memorable interiors, with a resume of visually stunning environments like Surrender and Potato Head Folk. What is your initial experience when you step into Malmaison at The Hour Glass?
The Hour Glass is a household name in Singapore. When you need a luxury timepiece, this is the place to go. To me, the Malmaison shop is about more than watches, it’s about a lifestyle. I especially like the VIP room of Malmaison, the attention to details are impeccable and I particularly love the vintage Patek Philippe electronic master clock system they have on display, which is specifically made for use at airports.

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