As the chef and co-owner of Restaurant Euphoria, Chef Jason Tan is known for his refined, contemporary French culinary creations that bagged Euphoria a place among Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants less than a year after opening. During his previous tenure at Corner House, the restaurant received a Michelin star for four years in a row and also made the Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants list for five consecutive years.
When it came to timepieces however, the watch aficionado’s tastes used to tend towards the rugged, with his favourites including large and sporty models like the Royal Oak Offshore by Audemars Piguet. Until now. Tan shares more about his latest Royal Oak Selfwinding 41mm timepiece and why he’s begun to delve more into dressier timepieces.
My long-time love for the Royal Oak Offshore:
“I own several Royal Oak Offshore models, including the Royal Oak Offshore Selfwinding Chronograph Rose Gold 44mm and the Royal Oak Offshore ‘Arnold Schwarzenegger The Legacy’ 48mm. I used to like only bigger watches that were around 44mm or larger, because I felt that they fit my big wrists better.
How I got interested in the Royal Oak Selfwinding 41mm in steel (Ref. 15500ST):
“I got to try on the 15500 a few months ago and I was surprised that the 41 mm actually fit me well. I immediately fall in love with it and wanted to get one. As a passionate collector of AP watches, the 15500 is a classic and I wanted to experience wearing it and having it in my collection.”
(Related: Does Chef Jason Tan wear his fine timepieces in the kitchen?)
Why my tastes have shifted from rugged to more refined:
“I think my preferences are changing with age. I love the Offshore for its sportiness, but as I get older, I’ve come to appreciate the elegance of the classic Royal Oak. I especially love the bracelet of the 15500; the workmanship is top-notch.”
(Related: #WatchYaGot: How I got my steel Patek Philippe Nautilus 5711/1A-014 with green dial)
Any time is a good time:
“I got the watch this August. I was really fortunate to get it in my birthday month. That said, you can’t choose a special moment or timing to purchase a grail watch, especially a piece like the 15500 with the blue dial. When the Audemars Piguet boutique calls you, you immediately drop everything to go to the boutique. I am actually hoping for a Royal Oak Double Balance Wheel Openworked in steel (15407ST) or black ceramic (15416CE) to commemorate the opening of Restaurant Euphoria, which recently celebrated its first anniversary.”
Other dressy timepieces I’ve got my eye on:
“The black ceramic Royal Oak Double Balance Wheel Openworked is one of my grail pieces. The meticulously hand-finished, openworked slate-grey dial, coupled with a rose gold balance bridge, is really a feast for the eyes. But I would take it in any material — steel, gold or ceramic. (Laughs.) I am also in love with the Royal Oak perpetual calendar with salmon dial. There are just too many pieces that I like from AP.”
All images courtesy of Jason Tan.
