“Meaningful change often comes from ordinary people who are persistent enough to pursue something they care about.” – Tristan Ho
It is perhaps a little superficial to glance at a man’s watch before meeting his eyes. That said, Tristan Ho, independent watchmaker and founder of LOTH, would probably take it as a compliment.
It helps, of course, that the watch on his wrist makes a distinctive impression from afar. With its textured German-silver dial, dotted hour markers, and heat-blued hands, the LOTH Watch 1 has an artisanal character that reveals more detail the closer you look.
It is a hand-finished mechanical piece shaped by hundreds of hours of machining, polishing, and experimentation, with a dial featuring Ho’s own Mosaic finishing technique, applied freehand so that each surface catches the light a little differently.
With no formal training in horology, Ho spent years teaching himself machining and traditional finishing techniques, often reverse-engineering processes through observation and sheer trial and error. Working from a modest workshop in his family home, he learnt everything from anglage and hand-polishing to snailing, a traditional decorative technique that alone took him around a year and a half to master.
This obsession eventually became LOTH (Lab of Tristan Ho) and the LOTH Watch 1, his debut mechanical watch produced in a run of just 12 pieces. Each takes around 150 hours to complete, with Ho extensively reworking its mechanical movement by hand.
With the LOTH Watch 1 now entered into the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève, one of the watch industry’s most prominent international competitions, it seems Ho’s work is beginning to attract attention well beyond our shores.
What inspired you to pursue a career in watchmaking?
I didn’t set out to become a watchmaker. I studied Life Sciences at NUS and later worked in a lab at A*STAR, but I spent my free time teaching myself machining, finishing, and movement construction. What began as curiosity gradually became an obsession and after years of self-learning, I decided to pursue watchmaking full time.
What aspect of your work do you feel deserves greater recognition?
I love when people appreciate the beauty of a hand-finished watch. I just wish more people had the opportunity to learn what goes into creating that beauty. Many of the most demanding techniques aren’t obvious at first glance and understanding them adds another layer of appreciation for the craft.
What’s an experience that is close to your heart?
Working with Czech independent watchmaker Ondřej Berkus on the ruthenium plating of the mainplate for my watch. I’d admired his work since the beginning of my watchmaking journey, so having someone I looked up to take a genuine interest in my project is something I’ll never forget.
It reminded me that some of the greatest craftsmen are also incredibly generous with their time and support. It’s a kindness that has stayed with me and one I try to pay forward every day by helping others whenever I can.
What have been some of the high points in your journey?
Launching the first LOTH watch and seeing all 12 pieces reserved was a major milestone. Another was becoming the first Singaporean to enter a homemade watch into the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève, something I never imagined when I first started making watches.
Another unexpected privilege has been meeting people from all walks of life through watchmaking. It has introduced me to collectors, fellow craftsmen, and individuals whose work I’ve admired for years.
What’s something you’ve changed your mind about recently?
I used to think that making a lasting impact on the world was something reserved for extraordinary people. Over the years, I’ve come to realise that meaningful change often comes from ordinary people who are persistent enough to pursue something they care about. If my work can inspire someone to build, create, or believe that world-class craftsmanship can come from Singapore, then that’s already more than I once thought possible.
What’s one piece of advice you often tell yourself?
Just get to the bench and start. People often ask me how they can do what I do, but there isn’t a shortcut I can give them. Every part you make, every mistake you fix, and every challenge you overcome becomes part of your education. You can’t skip that by asking the right questions.
Photography by Eugene Lee of Enfinite / Hair & Makeup by Sveta Klyn of Suburbs Studio