William Shum of Memorigin Watch Company Limited bags Executive of the Year-Luxury Retail at the Hong Kong Business Management Excellence Awards 2018

Under Shum, the company collaborated with Disney for Avengers-themed watches.

Personal accolades and a collaboration with a big international brand are among the achievements of William Shum, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Memorigin Watch Company Limited. Memorigin, the first Hong Kong brand which only produces tourbillon timepieces, partnered with Disney to produce Avengers-themed watches in 2015. Shum was also recognised as one of the Young Industrialist Awards of Hong Kong in 2015 and the Chinese Outstanding Youth in 2016.. Because of these, Shum won the Executive of the Year for Luxury Retail at the Hong Kong Business Management Excellence Awards 2018.

One of the highlights in Memorigin's portfolio is its collaboration with Disney in 2015 to produce the world’s first Avengers 2 Series tourbillon. Under the partnership, Ironman and Captain America were carved on the dial to present a real and 3D sensation. The tourbillon’s polishing, assembly and quality control were overseen by master watchmakers and their teams to ensure the “perfection of art.”

Besides cooperating with Disney, Memorigin also does different crossovers with celebrities in Hong Kong. "We use the design inspiration from my dad's antique wood collection to embed inside the watch design to fulfill the merger of east and west as a Hong Kong brand," says Shum.

The world's continued fascination on the tourbillon lies in its original scarcity and complex mechanical movement. Between 1821 and 1895, restricted by manufacturing technology during that century, the global output of tourbillons was merely 500 watches. While modern technological and production advances have meant more connoisseurs now have access to this mechanical masterpiece, the complexity and fascination in the tourbillon mechanism has endured and remains a milestone in horological excellence. Memorigin is one of the pioneers to combine the traditional watch mechanism and modern artwork.

The marvelous oriental sculpture combined with the western art of watchmaking creates a tourbillon watch which has strong Hong Kong cultural character. Memorigin tourbillon watches are designed by Hong Kong top designers and collectors with innovative concepts. Besides the traditional elegant style, it also adds cultural elements into the design, leading the oriental art to be international. In addition, Memorigin aims to bring its customers the eternal flow of happiness and sweet memories via its unique word carving service. Thus, despite being around for only several years, the company is now selling in more than 20 countries including Taiwan, Japan USA, United Arab Emirates, Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam and Australia.

In 2015, Shum was among the seven who were recognised in the Young Industrialist Awards of Hong Kong for his contribution to promote the Hong Kong branding. It is the reward to him for building the local luxury brand of Hong Kong. Established in 1988 by the Federation of Hong Kong Industries, the award recognised the professional spirit of Hong Kong's young industrialists. The award advocates for the influence of Hong Kong’s products in the world. It also highlighted the industrialists' contribution to the economic and social development in Hong Kong. Around 175 industrialists have won the award since 1988 including Raymond Chien Kuo Fung and Yang Chiu.

The inaugural Hong Kong Business Management Excellence Awards was held on November 28, 2018 at the Conrad Hong Kong. The award aims to honour the City's most outstanding business leaders, including noteworthy individuals and teams whose initiatives have brought tangible business gains for their company's operations.

The 2018 nominees were judged by a panel consisting of Andrew Ross, Managing Director of Baker Tilly Hong Kong; Charbon Lo, Director of Crowe (HK) CPA Limited; Roy Lo, Managing Partner of SHINEWING (HK) CPA Limited; and Anthony Tam, Executive Director in Tax Services of Mazars Hong Kong.

If you would like to join the 2019 awards and be awarded as one of the most outstanding management executives of Singapore, please email julie@charltonmediamail.com.