Kimberly Wang and YK on Hublot, Time and the Art of Fusion

One of Hublot’s guiding principles is the Art of Fusion. How do you resonate with this statement in your life?

Kimberly Wang (KW): I’ve never been someone who quite fits in with the crowd — my Instagram handle @ohhowstrange was born from the sentiment that I was always a little different, and as a kid or teen, it wasn’t the most comfortable feeling. But I’ve grown to realise that you can have your cake and eat it too — you don’t have to fit into a category to have an identity; you can create your own. People tend to find unusual fusions polarising, but you can be that kid who loves to play sports and also joins the debate club, or the guy who has a day job as vice president of an agency in the office but also spins as a club DJ on the side at night. Magic happens when you put the most unexpected things together.

Lee Yik Keat (YK): The Art of Fusion perfectly reflects my philosophy in photography, being open and adaptive, and using the past and present to create contrast and juxtaposition. I am also a person who adopts a mindset of recognising tradition and preserving it but simultaneously embracing the future!

Beyond Hublot’s bold watches and eclectic colours, time-telling accuracy and precision are at the heart of Hublot’s creations. How important are these two aspects for you?

KW: My parents raised me to always show up early and never waste someone else’s time by making them wait as a form of respect, so that is something I value deeply.

YK: It is so important for me in both aspects of life. Professionally, I need accuracy for reading time, especially while shooting on tour during concerts; every minute counts, so I know where to be in the venue to take the best photos. I also value accuracy in my personal life when it comes to reading time, going from point A to B, and meeting people.

For all the mysteries surrounding time, it holds valuable lessons for us. What is something time has taught you and that you’ve held close to your heart?

KW: Time is a sneaky thing — made tangible only by the watches we wear on our wrists, the pictures we snap to hold onto a memory, the lines on our faces, the silver in our hair, the empty spaces of what used to be, and the accumulation of new adventures with every passing year. It’s the most precious asset because it’s truly the only thing you’ll never be able to get back once it passes. I often reminisce how it’s wasted on the youth because you begin to realise its value only as you get older. But I make sure to spend my time on the people and things that matter most. It’s the best gift you can give to the people you love.

YK: As I am a person who is a perfectionist about almost everything, over time I have come to terms with and embraced the beauty in letting some things loose. Flexibility and the unknown are where you get the biggest surprises and most memorable results in your life.

Do you remember the first time you held a Hublot watch in your hands? What was going through your mind?

KW: It felt like a statement to match my mood for the rest of the year. Strong, unapologetically iconic yet delicate and Intricately crafted — I think I found just the piece for that with Hublot.

YK: The first thing that came to my mind was, “This watch feels and looks so amazing!" I’m pretty new to the watch world and I have dived deeper into appreciating the details over the years. The first watch I held was the Hublot Big Bang Unico Summer Purple, and I was in awe of its intricacy and colour.

PHOTOGRAPHY Joel Low
FASHION STYLING Wilson Lim
HAIR & MAKEUP Manisa Tan using Nars Cosmetics and anticollectivepro.sg
PHOTOGRAPHY ASSISTANCE Eddie Teo
STYLING ASSISTANCE Zara Zhuang