Cover Lennard Yeong and Sebastien Lepinoy
Lennard Yeong and Sebastien Lepinoy
1 / 1
Whether they’re whipping up gastronomic delights in the kitchen or unwinding on a day off, these three local chefs and watch enthusiasts can always be spotted with handsome timepieces
As any chef working in the high pressure environment of a restaurant kitchen knows, time is of the essence. Every second counts when you’re cooking at the highest level—whether in a Michelin-starred establishment or for a private event.
Precision matters, and this makes a chef’s choice of watch especially important. Not to mention, anything worn into the kitchen needs to be hardy enough to withstand its conditions. We spoke to three local chefs—Sebastien Lepinoy of Les Amis, Jason Tan of Restaurant Euphoria, and Lennard Yeong—who we’ve spotted wearing some beautiful watches to find out more about their passions for horology and the qualities they look for in a timepiece.
In case you missed it: This watch collector was once the youngest in the world to own a MB&F timepiece
Sebastien Lepinoy, director of culinary and operations at Les Amis
Above Sebastien Lepinoy, director of culinary and operations at Les Amis
Sebastien Lepinoy, director of culinary and operations at Les Amis
1 / 1
When and how did your interest in watches begin?
My interest started when I started working as a chef. I’d always see my guests coming into the restaurant with beautiful watches on their wrists. Seeing how elegant they looked, I started to explore the world of watches. I’m very thankful for my partnership with Chopard as a friend of the brand. It has helped me fulfil my dream, and given me the opportunity to explore and learn more about these timeless masterpieces.
What watch do you wear to work and why?
I wear a Chopard watch to work every day. My Alpine Eagle 41 mm with a blue dial is the one I wear the most often, for not just its ultra‑contemporary look—great for when I meet guests—but also the legibility of measurements. The tracking and display of the hours, minutes and seconds with precision are handy in the kitchen since each course needs to be prepared in a timely manner.
Tell us about the watch you’re wearing today.
It’s a Chopard Alpine Eagle XL Chrono, which has been awarded three patents for a high‑precision chronograph movement, representing the culmination of several technical innovations. Harmony reigns supreme at the heart of the Aletsch Blue dial, which retains the signature texture and radiant pattern of an Alpine Eagle dial. Blue has also been a good colour for me in my career so far. The case is crafted in Lucent Steel, which is not only more sustainable, but also 50 per cent tougher than other steels, and is water resistant up to 100 m as well; its ultra‑resistant functionality makes it very suitable for my workplace.
Above Chopard Alpine Eagle XL Chrono in Lucent Steel A223 with an Aletsch Blue dial (Photo: Chopard)
Chopard Alpine Eagle XL Chrono in Lucent Steel A223 with an Aletsch Blue dial (Photo: Chopard)
1 / 1
Which watch in your collection means the most to you and why?
My Chopard L.U.C XPS means the most to me. This model is limited to 250 pieces and is perfectly extravagant. It’s important to me because I’ve worn it on many important occasions, like when I received my Michelin award. I’ll always hold this watch in my heart dearly.
When you’re off duty, what’s your go‑to watch and why?
The Chopard Mille Miglia is the perfect Sunday watch. I enjoy doing sports such as biking on my days off and the Mille Miglia is resistant enough to accompany me, thanks to its excellent sports features and rubber strap.
What are the qualities you look for in a watch?
The materials used must be sourced ethically. Chopard is committing to the journey of sustainable luxury, which is already a quality of a good company that many do not find significant, but is extremely important to me—this is the most essential quality that a watch must have. Moreover, the watch must look elegant and be versatile enough to suit the conditions of my job.
Jason Tan, chef and co‑owner of Restaurant Euphoria
Above Jason Tan, chef and co‑owner of Restaurant Euphoria
Jason Tan, chef and co‑owner of Restaurant Euphoria
1 / 1
When and how did your interest in watches begin?
I started to fancy watches when I was around eight, when I saw my uncle’s Oris skeleton watch and instantly fell in love with it. I’ve loved skeleton dial watches since then.
What watch do you wear to work and why?
I rotate the watches I wear to work daily and I place it in a safe before I start working in the kitchen. My usual daily beater is my Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore 26420SO with a smoked taupe dial.
Tell us about the watch you’re wearing today.
I’m wearing the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Double Balance Wheel Openworked 15407ST. This timepiece is my holy grail and it was actually allocated to me on the same day as the Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants 2023 awards ceremony in March this year. The meticulously hand‑finished slate grey openworked dial, coupled with a rose gold balance bridge, is truly a feast for my eyes. In addition, in my opinion, Audemars Piguet bracelets are definitely the most beautifully constructed ones around.
Above Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Double Balance Wheel Openworked in stainless steel with a slate grey openworked dial (Photo: Audemars Piguet)
Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Double Balance Wheel Openworked in stainless steel with a slate grey openworked dial (Photo: Audemars Piguet)
1 / 1
Which watch in your collection means the most to you and why?
I’m a collector of Royal Oak Offshores, but my Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Selfwinding 15500ST with a blue dial actually means the most to me. It was the watch I was allocated when I opened Restaurant Euphoria with my supportive wife, Arissa Wang, in 2020—the milestone of my lifetime. Coincidentally, it was also my first Royal Oak.
What’s your dream watch?
I actually already own it: the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Double Balance Wheel Openworked 15407ST I’m wearing. For my next big “dream”, I’d really love to own an Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar Openworked 26585CE.
Lennard Yeong, in‑house chef at Miele Singapore
Above Lennard Yeong, in‑house chef at Miele Singapore
Lennard Yeong, in‑house chef at Miele Singapore
1 / 1
Tell us about the watch you’re wearing today.
I’m wearing the Audemars Piguet Code 11.59 Selfwinding Chronograph. While the Royal Oak is so iconic to the brand, I think Code 11.59 strikes a nice balance—I can wear it in the kitchen when I’m working and also out for dinner after. The chronograph function is also very useful for me if I need to time anything in a pinch, and blue just so happens to be my favourite colour.
Which watch in your collection means the most to you and why?
My Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Chronograph. I had left my name (on the waiting list) at the Audemars Piguet boutique more than a year prior to getting the watch and never thought that I’d get the call. Coincidentally, I received it on my wife Ann’s birthday and I joked at the boutique that it really felt like it was my birthday instead of hers. But the staff made us feel very special and gave Ann a beautiful Audemars Piguet scarf, so both of us left extremely happy. It was a very nice gesture and meant a lot to the both of us. It’s also the only watch that I’ve acquired directly from any watch boutique, and the service and overall experience was exceptional.
Above Audemars Piguet Code 11.59 Selfwinding Chronograph in stainless steel with a Bleu Nuit, Nuage 50 dial (Photo: Audemars Piguet)
Audemars Piguet Code 11.59 Selfwinding Chronograph in stainless steel with a Bleu Nuit, Nuage 50 dial (Photo: Audemars Piguet)
1 / 1
When you’re off duty, what’s your go‑to watch and why?
It’s constantly changing, but I recently had my dad’s watch serviced. He’s not one for material possessions, but I have many childhood memories of him wearing his Omega Chronostop—a unique watch whose dial is rotated 90 degrees so that the time can be read while one’s hand is on the steering wheel. After servicing it, he mentioned that he only wears his Apple watch these days and if I liked the watch, I should have it, so I swapped out the bracelet for a leather strap and have been wearing it since. It’s a special watch with a lot of sentimental value to me. Plus, it’s quite small and light—perfect for an off day.
What are the qualities you look for in a watch?
I love a well‑made integrated bracelet and a paper‑thin movement that houses multiple complications. The engineer in me (yes, he was originally trained as an engineer) is astounded at how humans manage to capture so much in such a small form with such incredible accuracy. In this digital age, it’s breathtaking to see how a couple of moving parts allow us to have a tether to time, to the phases of the moon, to which day we are in a week or the date we are in a month. Watches are true engineering marvels.
Credits
Photography: Frenchescar Lim
Grooming: Angel Gwee using Davines and Tom Ford Beauty
Topics
Annabel Tan is the Editor of Watches and Jewellery at Tatler Singapore, where she covers all things luxury timepieces and fine jewellery across both print and digital platforms. She is also the Editor of Tatler GMT Singapore, a role that deepens her fascination with the ever-evolving world of watchmaking. Outside of work, she’s usually on the hunt for her next favourite watch that she can’t afford, planning her next beach getaway, or catching up on the latest Formula 1 race.
