15 Jun 2026<\/span><\/time><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nOut Of Office is a new series that follows Singaporeans who\u2019ve logged off the standard career script to chase their own versions of success \u2013 consider this a study of work, ambition and life beyond the default settings.\u00a0<\/i><\/p>\n
WHO<\/b>: Tristan Ho, 29, founder and chief watchmaker at independent watchmaking atelier LOTH.\u00a0<\/p>\n
WHAT HE DOES<\/b>: Lab Of Tristan Ho, better known as LOTH, is a watchmaking atelier in Singapore founded by Ho in 2024 after two years as a self-taught independent horologist. In 2025, he launched his debut timepiece LOTH Watch 1 \u2013 a limited-edition 12-piece series that was entirely hand-crafted,\u00a0hand-assembled and hand-finished. This ended up highly oversubscribed, and sold out quicker than it took to make.\u00a0<\/p>\n
While he used to juggle a full-time career as a biomedical research officer at A*STAR alongside crafting watches at night, Ho has very recently transitioned to full-time watchmaking \u2013 focusing solely on growing LOTH.\u00a0<\/p>\n\nTristan Ho<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
WHY KNOW HIM<\/b>: While many watchmakers get their start in horology through obtaining coveted apprenticeships or enrolling into prestigious watchmaking schools, some have opted for a path less traditional.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Enter Ho, whose foray into the watchmaking scene started in a pretty unconventional way. Just shy of four years ago, the self-taught horologist started learning the fundamentals of watchmaking entirely by himself \u2013 on the internet. What began as a fascination with horology and attempts at modding Seiko watches for a year, has now evolved into an established independent watchmaking atelier with Ho crafting his own bespoke timepieces from scratch. The catch? It\u2019s all done in his workshop right at home.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Despite starting out with no prior experience or formal training in horology, the success of Ho\u2019s first watch collection is testament to the grit and dedication he has put into his craft. Here, he shares with us more on his journey as a self-taught horologist, how he balanced two careers at once and the future of LOTH.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Hi Tristan! As a self-taught watchmaker, how did you start getting involved in watches and horology?<\/b><\/p>\n
Tristan Ho (TH)<\/b>: \u201cI have always been drawn to micromechanics. As a kid I was obsessed with Lego and mechanical objects, but watches only came much later when I was searching for my first proper timepiece around four years ago.<\/p>\n
I realised many of the watches within my budget were using relatively basic movements but sold at prices I couldn\u2019t emotionally justify. Instead of buying one, I started buying movements and parts separately and building Seiko mods on my own.<\/p>\n
Eventually I discovered hand-finished movements and became fascinated by the idea of shaping and decorating metal entirely by hand. The first time I cut a movement bridge myself, I immediately knew this was what I wanted to dedicate my life to.\u201d<\/p>\n\nTristan Ho<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
Tell us more about how LOTH came about \u2013 what made you want to translate your interest for horology into a business?<\/b><\/p>\n
TH<\/b>: \u201cInitially, I started LOTH simply because I wanted to create the kinds of watches I personally wanted to wear. At the time, I felt that there was a gap between mass-produced luxury watches and truly hand-finished independent pieces. I wanted something that felt mechanically intimate and visibly touched by human hands. Over time, that personal pursuit became something much bigger.<\/p>\n
Singapore has one of the largest watch markets in the world, yet almost nobody here is actually creating independent hand-finished watches at the bench level. There are many brands designing watches, but very few people physically making and finishing movement components themselves over hundreds of hours.<\/p>\n
What I\u2019m doing with LOTH is fundamentally different. The watches are not just designed by me \u2013 they are personally hand-finished and assembled by me using techniques that are rarely seen even among much larger brands. I realised that if nobody here was going to push Singapore towards true independent watchmaking, I might as well do it myself.<\/p>\n
Beyond the watches themselves, LOTH became a way for me to connect with people who genuinely appreciate craft, mechanics and obsessive attention to detail.\u201d<\/p>\n\nHo in his watchmaking studio at home.<\/p>\n
Tristan Ho<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
What did a typical day look like for you previously as a biomedical researcher and independent watchmaker?<\/b><\/p>\n
TH<\/b>: \u201cBefore transitioning to watchmaking full-time, my days were extremely structured. I would leave for my biomedical research job in the morning, come home in the evening, rest briefly, then spend the rest of the night at my bench until around 2am. Weekends were usually split between family, my girlfriend, and watch events whenever there were any happening in Singapore.<\/p>\n
Since going full-time, the hours honestly have not changed much. Most weekdays still involve more than twelve hours of work between bench work, photography, social media and communications. But I wouldn\u2019t describe it as exhausting. Watchmaking feels as natural as breathing to me. If I\u2019m alive, I\u2019d naturally want to create. Even after long hours at the bench, my mind is still racing with ideas for future watches, finishing techniques and improvements. To most people, that kind of routine might sound extreme, but it feels very normal to me.\u201d<\/p>\n
What\u2019s been the biggest accomplishment and challenge so far in your watchmaking journey?<\/b><\/p>\n
TH<\/b>: \u201cThe biggest accomplishment so far has to be the reception of the LOTH Watch 1 series. It was the first time I put my work into the world at this scale, and I initially believed that if the execution was strong enough, people would immediately understand it.<\/p>\n\nHo\u2019s first commercially available creation, the LOTH Watch 1, was made entirely from scratch by him. This is one of 12 pieces available in the world.<\/p>\n
Tristan Ho<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
My biggest challenge was storytelling. In the beginning, interest was slower than expected, even though I was confident in the work itself. I realised that watchmaking isn\u2019t only about making something well, but also about communicating it in a way that allows people to emotionally connect with it.<\/p>\n
I had also underestimated how important the process is. I thought finishing watches alone would be enough, but people responded much more deeply once I began sharing the finishing process, the time involved, and the reality of making each piece by hand. Once I made that shift, the response changed completely. The project eventually reached an international audience, and the waitlist grew far beyond what I had initially anticipated.<\/p>\n
More than any metric, the most meaningful outcome was realising that something made entirely by hand in a small home workshop in Singapore could resonate with people globally.\u201d<\/p>\n
What are some things you\u2019ve learnt from juggling two careers at once? Are there emotional or creative rewards at your bench that make the fatigue worth it?<\/b><\/p>\n
TH<\/b>: \u201cOne thing I learned from juggling two careers is that physical exhaustion feels very different when the work is meaningful to you.<\/p>\n
There are definitely nights where I am running on very little sleep and repeating the same finishing process for hours. But the moment a movement comes alive during assembly \u2013 especially knowing how much time went into each component beforehand \u2013 still feels magical to me.\u201d<\/p>\n
What\u2019s one part of your story that people don\u2019t really see, but has been crucial in shaping the work you do today?<\/b><\/p>\n
TH<\/b>: \u201cPeople often do not see how critical I am of my own work. During my first two years of learning watchmaking, I genuinely hated almost everything I made. I would occasionally wear my early prototypes, but I was constantly aware of every flaw and limitation in them.<\/p>\n