Every year post COVID, Singapore has hosted a watch microbrand fair - Spring Sprang Sprung and it is at this kind of fair that you meet some very interesting new watch brands. One such brand I encountered in the 2025 edition is Waktu Horology.
An Interview with Dahliah Kamaru Zaman - Founder of Waktu Horology.
In the world of horology, where heritage brands often dominate the conversation, a new voice is emerging from Singapore, one that speaks with the rich history of the Nusantara region. This is the story of Dahliah, the founder of Waktu Horology - not just a watch collector or a brand owner, but a storyteller who is using the face of a watch to celebrate an entire culture. Her journey proves that a true passion for watches isn't just about mechanics; it's about meaning.
So who is Dahliah the collector and brand owner?
Growing up in Bukit Panjang, Dahliah’s path seemed set for the sciences. Yet, this direction only intensified a simmering artistic curiosity. It was this very tension that propelled her into the worlds of brand management, events planning, and marketing - fields where she could finally flex her creative muscles. It was here, at the intersection of precision and narrative, that she found her calling. A role within the watch industry at age 26 was the catalyst. The intricate dance of gears and springs, married with timeless design, captivated her. But it was a single timepiece that truly ignited the flame of collecting.
What sparked her watch-collecting journey?
The Spark: A Kurono Tokyo and a Cultural Revelation
“The true spark came from a sense of achievement and revelation,” Dahliah recalls, speaking of the moment she was gifted the celebrated Kurono Tokyo Seiji. Admiring the work of esteemed independent watchmaker Hajime Asaoka, she had a profound realization: every piece of horology could hold a deep, personal connection. This sparked a question that would become her mission: “Why couldn't that storytelling be dedicated to Malay heritage?” The precision and permanence of a mechanical watch suddenly presented itself as the perfect vessel to ensure the culture and artistry of the Nusantara could be appreciated on a regional and global stage.
What does Waktu want to showcase?
Building Waktu Horology: A Brand Rooted in Culture and Respect.
Driven by this newfound purpose, Waktu Horology was born. The brand’s inaugural collection - featuring different designs directly translates intricate Malay and Nusantara patterns into elegant dials. Each piece is a wearable piece of cultural heritage. “I believe horology is fundamentally more than just status,” she states. “It is an appreciation for design, mechanics, and the expression of a unique story that a timepiece carries.” Her respect is reserved for those who buy to commemorate a genuine milestone or passion, a principle that lies at the very heart of Waktu Horology.
Share a little about the design language on your timepieces.
At the heart of every Waktu Horology timepiece lies the stylised “W” at 9 o’clock, a symbol that transcends design to embody Malay heritage. More than an initial, it integrates the tanjak naga berlabuh - a traditional Malay headpiece that signifies identity, refinement, and respect.
The naga, a dragon in Malay folklore, represents wisdom, power, and protection, while berlabuh evokes stability and connection to ancestral roots. Together, they form a potent metaphor: time intertwined with tradition. The W logo is not just a mark of craftsmanship, but a living narrative of strength, culture, and legacy - an emblem that ensures every Waktu Horology watch carries forward the enduring spirit of the Malay heritage.
The motif on the hands extend the brand’s cultural narrative, complementing the W logo with artistry drawn from Malay tradition. The hour hand, shaped in the spirit of the pucuk rebung motif, depicts a bamboo shoot, symbolizing growth and the continuous journey of time. In harmony, the minute hand reflects the bunga pecah lapan, its eight-petaled geometry evoking balance and grace in every sweep. Together, these motifs transform functional elements into miniature works of art. Just as the logo anchors time in heritage, the hands animate it, ensuring that every glance at the dial is a reminder of Malay culture’s enduring strength and refinement.
A little about the current collection.
The Kalbu collection carries forward the spirit of Dahliah’s grandfather, whose stories of the sea revealed both its dangers and its hidden wonders. Just as he spoke of sirens and mermaids - mysteries that blurred the line between myth and reality - the Kalbu embraces that duality through its design. The choice of Mother-of-Pearl for the dial is deliberate: it is born from the ocean itself, shimmering with iridescence that mirrors the light breaking through darkness. This material symbolizes the beauty that emerges from treachery, echoing her grandfather’s belief in courage amidst uncertainty.
The Gelap variant, with its interplay of shadow and luminescence, becomes a tribute to those who, like him, braved the unknown seas with unwavering conviction. Each Kalbu timepiece is not only a watch, but a legacy - an heirloom of resilience and imagination.
The Gelap dial captures the treacherous mystery of the deep seas with its dark, shadowed tones, setting it apart from the luminous white and romantic pink Mother-of-Pearl dials that symbolize clarity and hope.
The Mother-of-Pearl dial reveals its true versatility as it transforms with every shift in light - radiant, iridescent, and endlessly captivating.
The Puteh (white dial) evokes purity and clarity, echoing the calm after a storm when the horizon opens wide and sailors find their bearings once more. It honors the certainty her grandfather spoke of - the unwavering conviction that light will always break through darkness.
The pink dial, Mawar adds a more romantic dimension, reminiscent of dawn over the water, when the first rays of sunlight transform the sea into a canvas of warmth and promise. It symbolizes resilience with gentleness, a reminder that beauty often emerges from the harshest journeys.
The Mawar dial, with its delicate rose hue drawn from Mother-of-Pearl, embodies romance, warmth, and resilience—making it a graceful and empowering choice for ladies who value elegance with meaning.
Together, these dials extend the narrative of the Kalbu collection: from the perilous allure of the Gelap to the serene and hopeful tones of white and pink, each piece becomes a chapter in a story of courage, mystery, and the timeless dialogue between sea and sky
The Hitam: A study in timeless elegance. Its deep black enamel dial captures the quiet strength of nightfall - sleek, refined, and unwavering. A watch that speaks not in volume, but in presence.
The black enamel dial, with its high reflectiveness, creates a striking contrast that amplifies the precision and elegance of the sweeping minute and second hands.
What's your pet peeve in watch collecting?
My primary focus, both as a collector and as the founder of Waktu Horology, is on authenticity and appreciation within the community. My deepest concern is the tendency toward horological exclusivity, where some enthusiasts dismiss the innovation and technical achievements of smaller, independent creators. I believe horology should be defined by an appreciation for design, technical effort, and the unique story a timepiece tells, not solely by market value or heritage. We reserve our greatest respect for collectors who acquire a watch to genuinely commemorate a personal milestone or passion, rather than for purely ostentatious display.
This commitment to passion over pure transaction also extends to the practice of 'flipping.' It's disheartening to see the secondary market become dominated by individuals focused solely on quick profit, as this often prevents sincere enthusiasts and loyal brand supporters from acquiring the pieces they truly desire. At Waktu Horology, our mission is built on culture and genuine passion, and we seek to cultivate a community that prioritizes these values.
So, what’s next for Waktu Horology?
Dahliah is focused on expanding the brand’s footprint as a curator of culture.
The vision for Waktu 2.0 includes creating an entire ecosystem of accessible luxury accessories. Think premium leather watch pads and straps, infused with original art inspired by maps of the Malay Peninsula, intricate songket motifs, and tributes to Malay heroes.
On the design front, she is actively researching new watch hands and dial textures, drawing from customer suggestions and deep historical research. Ideas like keris-inspired watch hands and classic batik patterns are being balanced against authenticity to ensure every detail remains rooted in truth.
The ultimate goal? To see Waktu Horology recognized globally for its unique effort in preserving Malay heritage. Dahliah looks forward to collaborating with institutions like the Malay Heritage Centre, establishing horology as a credible and exciting new medium for telling the timeless stories of her culture.
With her passion, keen eye for details and story behind the heritage, I am sure there will be pleasant surprises with Waktu Horology. We wish Dahliah and Waktu Horology a successful journey ahead!
