The Revue: Mark Cho

Welcome back to The Drake’s Revue, where we ask some of our favourite people about some of their favourite things. The art, music, food, objects and philosophies that matter the most to them. 

Mark Cho, Drake’s co-owner, entrepreneur and noted watch collector, talks us through where he’s a regular, classic design, and a watch he’d never part with.       

1.) I’m a regular at…

Martiny's in New York. Takuma Watanabe, the founder and head bartender is a prodigy and I could not imagine a trip to New York without stopping at his bar. Alessandro Palazzi at Duke's in London is a must visit, as well as Shibuya Swing in Tokyo and JK5 in Hong Kong.

2.) The one watch I’d never part with…

I don't believe in keeping things forever. Collections (be they watches, art, clothing, etc) should change with the collector's taste and there will always be some chop and change. That being said, my watch made by a German watchmaker named Christian Klings is most likely to stay in my collection the longest. He is one of the very few people in the world who can make a watch from start to finish completely by hand with no modern machinery such as CNC. He made 30 timepieces in his career and has now retired. I wrote a long article about him here. 

3.) My favourite neighbourhood in Hong Kong… 

I don't spend much time out of the shop, but if I do, I like being in my neighbourhood of Tai Hang. It's not too dense, adjacent to the park and there are some nice places to eat and relax around there.

4.) How I’d describe my style… 

I like classic, relaxed styles of garments with balanced proportions and muted, soft colours. Ivy Style sack jackets or soft Italian garments are some of my favourites for tailoring. I grew up in the UK and my palette is very much influenced by that. I think sneakers should be cheap and simple. I think everything else should be long-lasting and gracefully aged.

5.) My ideal dinner reservation…  

I am generally more concerned with the company than the restaurant. That being said, I think the appropriate setting for the occasion is very important. For somewhere glamorous, I like The Grill in New York or Man Wah in Hong Kong. For something local and casual, I love Rei, a modern Chinese restaurant in Tokyo, or The George & Vulture pub in London, which has great pizza and is down the street from the old Drake's factory.

6.) The piece of art that has impacted me the most… 

I love Naoya Hatakeyama Lime Works series of photographs. Everything about it is perfect and I highly recommend anyone seek out a copy of the book.

7.) What I’m ordering at the bar… 

Gin martini, dry with a twist. I'm also partial to a Sazerac for the absinthe.

8.) My favourite piece of classic design… 

I love my Vitsoe shelving and I use it extensively at home and at work. Dieter Rams is a genius. Beyond that, the Drake's navy grenadine tie as the most useful accessory you could possibly own. 

9.) I collect…

Watches quite seriously. Japanese photography when I haven't spent everything on watches.

10.) My most-worn item from Drake’s… 

I really like the plain white oxford with a button-down collar. It's perfect. I actually own it in two sizes depending on if I like it looser for casual use or fitted for with a suit.