Cover Denson Ng and WK Chin
Denson Ng and WK Chin
1 / 1
WK Chin and Denson Ng connected through their love for vintage timepieces
Friendship and business don’t always mix, but that hasn’t stopped WK Chin, 56, and Denson Ng, 30, from embarking on an adventure that could put this very principle to the test—launching a vintage watch business together.
Ng had already been trading affordable neo-vintage watches on his platform, My First Vintage, when Chin convinced him to team up for a venture focused on mid-range vintage pieces. Although initially hesitant, Ng eventually relented. “I was ‘inspired’ by [Chin’s] constant nagging,” he laughs.
The aptly named Next Vintage is fuelled by the enthusiastic response to My First Vintage, where drops typically sell out as soon as they’re released. Chin emphasises that, while Next Vintage is a business, they approach it as true watch enthusiasts.
Read also: Why reviving iconic watch designs from the past is so trendy now
“We’re not doing this just to buy and sell for profit. We’re doing this as watch lovers and to keep connecting with the community,” he says. “It’s the best way to do it because, as enthusiasts, we’re curious to know more than just the products—the stories behind them fascinate us, too.”
When sourcing, their biggest dilemma is deciding what to keep for their personal collections and what to offer for sale. “We both agree that whatever we acquire has to be something we love and would keep for ourselves. If we wouldn’t gift it to someone we care about, it doesn’t go into the inventory,” says Ng, who oversees curation.
See also: An exclusive look at the new Audemars Piguet [RE]Master02 Selfwinding
Above Denson Ng wears his vintage Cartier Tonneau Dual Time
Denson Ng wears his vintage Cartier Tonneau Dual Time
1 / 1
The one that started it all
Chin: A Rolex 6694 Oyster Date. It’s a simple watch in 34mm. Before this, I didn’t dare get a vintage because of all the horror stories you hear about non-original parts and ‘Franken-watches’…. I wasn’t ready to navigate that world. But I decided I would get the 6694 because it was from 1969, just a year after I was born. In the end, I sold it back to the trader who sold it to me because it didn’t have the original dial. Still, I’ve been hooked on vintage watches ever since.
Ng: My first real vintage watches were both from Vacheron Constantin—a Jalousie and a Squelette. I love how beautiful they look. My interest was sparked because Vacheron Constantin vintage watches are extremely undervalued. I think the brand is so underappreciated.
Above Denson Ng’s vintage watch collection
Denson Ng’s vintage watch collection
1 / 1
Thrill of the chase
Ng: I love the hunt—it excites me more than walking into a boutique. I’m truly addicted to the chase.
Chin: With a modern watch, if you lose it, you can always buy another. But you can’t replace a vintage piece. It’s the inherent rarity that appeals to me. Each one has a unique patina, and there’s little chance of meeting someone with the exact same watch in the exact same condition—and that makes it a bit more special.
Read more: Thai actor Mile Phakphum shares five of his favourite vintage watches in his collection
Above WK Chin wears his vintage Audemars Piguet Quantième Perpétuel
WK Chin wears his vintage Audemars Piguet Quantième Perpétuel
1 / 1
Most challenging and most rewarding find
Ng: Off the top of my head, the Universal Geneve Ellipse. I was bidding in an auction that was supposed to end at 9pm, but every extra bid added two more minutes. It came down to just me and another guy. And this went on until 1am! I was debating whether to give up, but I knew I would not have this opportunity again.
Chin: I have two. The first is the Grand Seiko 45GS. It was launched in 1968, which is the year I was born. It made sense to find one from that year to feel more connected to the watch. It took me a year to track down one in the right condition. The watch is as old as I am, but it runs better than I do!
The second took me over two years to find: the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak 14790. Honestly, I never really wanted a Royal Oak initially due to the hype. I didn’t want to be associated with the flashy display of wealth that often comes with it. However, when a good friend let me wear his 14790, I had to tell myself to stop hesitating. For a Royal Oak, it’s surprisingly understated, slim, and fits perfectly with my usual crummy T-shirt and shorts.
I finally found it in Japan after a two-year search. I immediately got in touch with the dealer, but he only spoke Japanese, and Google Translate wasn’t much help either. When he finally understood what I wanted, I asked him to reserve it; unfortunately, he didn’t take reservations. Denson happened to be going to Tokyo, so I enlisted his help, yet the watch wasn’t at the Tokyo shop. I begged the dealer to ship it there and checked the listing every day to ensure the watch was still available. Denson finally picked it up—on the last day of his trip! Very, very stressful.
Above WK Chin’s vintage watch collection
WK Chin’s vintage watch collection
1 / 1
Modern vs vintage
Ng: I’m a fan of Cartier and their older designs reimagined for today’s audience. This approach has been very successful for them over the past two years—there’s a special allure to vintage-inspired pieces. Cartier knows consumers like vintage designs, so they are making them more reliable and water-resistant as these are valid concerns. That aside, I still love modern watches as there are good ones out there. I would complement them with my vintage collection.
Chin: The one thing that modern watches can’t replicate is the soul of a vintage piece. I have the reissue of the Tag Heuer Carrera 2447D from the 1960s—exact same case, size, crystal, lume—but it doesn’t carry the same spirit as an original from that era. I still love it, though.
Credits
Photography: Fady Younis
Topics
Brian Cheong leads the watch (Tatler GMT) and jewellery content at Tatler Malaysia, combining sharp editorial insight with years of luxury lifestyle experience. A seasoned journalist in luxury watches based in Kuala Lumpur, Brian had previously helmed World of Watches, Men's Folio and Prestige Malaysia.
