When interacting with us Westerners, Lung Lung Thun often gets pigeon-holed as an Asian woman first, and only secondly recognized as a watch collector, cigar aficionado, and person of refined taste from food to fashion. That’s a pity, because it’s her easy-going nature and warmth that define her down-to-earth approach to collecting high-end watches. I’ve known Lung Lung for years, and whenever we begin a conversation, matters of identity evaporate into light-hearted conversation fueled by enthusiasm for the good things in life.
Such casual grace is rare among male European and American watch collectors, who often infuse competitive bravado into their claims on horological knowledge. It has always seemed ironic that Lung Lung is seemingly far more comfortable as a purveyor of high horology than men playing on what has, for decades, been their home turf. In the end, Lung Lung’s chill vibe and social approach to collecting watches are the ultimate flex, because these are the signs of an authentically confident connection to luxury.
As a financier living in Hong Kong and traveling the world, Lung Lung’s perspective on watches is broad and cosmopolitan. She owns impressive Royal Oaks from Audemars Piguet, an incredible A. Lange & Söhne Datograph Ref. 403.031, and many other fine watches from Patek and Cartier. She leans toward modern and neo-vintage, because fussy vintage pieces don’t suit her lifestyle. Lung Lung wears her watches, swaps with friends, and often gathers in restaurants and bars for evenings of mutual watch appreciation. This social approach to collecting requires that she can wear her watches—and even beat them up a bit.
I recently asked Lung Lung a few questions about her journey into collecting, how her social approach to the hobby has informed the pieces she has amassed, and which watch she would buy if she could only wear one. You can read her answers below.
How did you begin your watch collecting journey?
I read a lot of fashion magazines growing up, and I was never drawn to the jewelry, bags, or shoes section, but I vividly remember the Richard Mille ads taking up a whole page. I always knew I liked watches but was too afraid to start buying. Once I took the plunge, I just accumulated what I liked, it was never a conscious decision to start collecting. But I suppose I started collecting in 2011 in Singapore. Then I took a long hiatus and started again at end of 2017, when I moved to Hong Kong.
You recently told me you hadn’t bought any new watches lately because nothing was catching your eye. Are you feeling bored with watches? Or are you feeling satisfied with what you already have? Or is there nothing happening that captures your attention?
I didn’t purchase anything for two years because I felt very jaded with watches in general. It wasn’t that I felt the watches released were “boring,” but I wanted to be more intentional with how I approached this hobby. I realized the joy I experience with collecting came from the hunt itself, including the journey of building a relationship with ADs. I had skipped a lot of that because I was always impatient. I decided that I had to revisit some of the bigger brands I felt too intimidated to approach and rebuild my watch experience again with them.
It appears you focus on modern watches in your collecting. Is that accurate, and can you tell us more about your collecting focus?
I currently have a mix of modern and neo-vintage. I wear all my pieces to death, so practicality is very important to me. I am trying to move my collection to more modern pieces because they are easier to take care of, and I’m really enjoying the journey of building new relationships with brands.
When I first started collecting, I took it too seriously and followed a lot of what more experienced collectors said. When I let that go, I started to appreciate that this was a very personal hobby for me. My collection could look a mess to other people with no clear theme, but I can always confidently explain why it looks a certain way, and the memories attached to each piece.
You’re a connoisseur of many things, including cigars. Do you ever pair your watches and cigars, or at least feel those two pleasures playing off each other?
I don’t pair my watches with cigars, but there are so many similarities in these two hobbies and the types of people who enjoy both. Like watches, I used to smoke cigars alone. I didn’t know there was a community surrounding the hobby. All my closest friends now love cigars and watches, so it became almost mandatory to meet at a cigar bar to discuss watches.
Cigars are like watches in the sense that when you first start off, you want to try everything, then you want to find the rare sticks, then before you know it you’re planning the cigar you want to smoke, just like how you would think about the watch you want to wear. And suddenly you’re down another rabbit hole.
If you had to pare down to just one watch, what would it be? And do you own that watch already?
I haven’t found it yet, but I have always been sure that it would be a perpetual calendar from Patek Philippe. There has never been one released from them, whether modern or vintage, that I haven’t liked, and I’m trying to find the right occasion to mark with such a special piece—one that I don’t ever intend to part with.
I know that you had hoped for a 37 mm frosted Royal Oak before there was one, and then Audemars Piguet contacted you and said your wish had come true. Are there any other watches from any other brands that you would wish into existence if you could?
I’ve always been too afraid to dream up something that is too far from what exists, because I always assume the best minds in the field have already thought them up and have yet to release them. But from the top of my head, if everything could be made in 34 to 37 mm, I’d want that. I’ve always been insanely jealous of men being able to wear the Legacy Machine Perpetual Calendar pieces from MB&F and most of the Greubel Forsey pieces. I know it’s a far stretch, but if Max Busser or Michel Nydegger ever read this…
I may need to send them a link to this article! I know watches are very social for you, a part of your friendships, and that you’re very generous in offering to let people wear them. How dos that generosity and openness impact your experience of watch collecting?
I’m a strong believer that what you put out into the world will come back to you, so I have always tried to treat everyone with the same level of respect and openness. I think, in turn, I have been very lucky that the people I’ve met in the watch community have been very friendly and try to help whenever they can with introductions and advice. I’ve also been able to expand my tastes by being exposed to watches that I would have never considered.
This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.
