On a chilly winter evening, we sat down with the manager of Real Watches at a cozy café. I had heard he was young, but meeting the mild-mannered, glasses-wearing man in front of me, I was still surprised. His name is Tùng, born in the early 90s, and he's in charge of a 17-year-old watch brand that once had everyone remembering the slogan: "Attentive, Trustworthy – 77 Hàng Đào."
Tùng studied abroad in the U.S. and is now working in Vietnam for a top global auditing firm. So why watches? "I do it for my family and for my personal passion," he shared.
Taking over a business that’s been around since 1999 - almost two decades - is no small feat, especially while managing a career in auditing. How does he juggle it? "Honestly, every job has its own set of challenges. I just view them all as hurdles to get over.".
"There are watches with over 200-300 components, all masterfully assembled onto a wrist."
Tùng’s passion for watches is undeniable. Though he appears reserved, he lights up when talking about the intricacies of watchmaking, diving into discussions about movements, brands, and designs. "I’m fascinated by the craftsmanship of watches. The way they’re put together, the detail, the art—there’s something magical about holding a finely made watch. Some models have hundreds of tiny parts, yet they all come together on something as small as your wrist." His love for timepieces runs deep, rooted in his childhood, surrounded by the ticking of watches and learning about their intricate workings.
Balancing his passion with the responsibilities of Real Watches comes with a unique set of pressures. "My main challenge is finding the best products at fair prices for our customers." It may sound simple, but sourcing these high-quality watches is no easy task. "Brands that meet those standards are strict about where their products are sold."
As we sipped our coffee, Tùng shared his vision for Real Watches. "I want us to be known for offering the best products, not just aiming to make a quick sale."
However, it’s no secret that traditional watch showrooms like Real Watches face growing competition. Younger shoppers are often drawn to the convenience of malls, brand-exclusive stores, and online shopping. Some people view older shops in areas like the Old Quarter with skepticism, assuming they sell fakes or low-quality goods.
Yet, Tùng remains optimistic. "It’s an ingrained mindset, but I trust that our customers, once they step into Real Watches, will know they’re getting the real deal."
"Recently, we’ve invested heavily in our service department, importing all of our equipment from Switzerland. So if your watch has a problem, we can handle it here without sending it back to the brand." One thing that stands out about Real Watches is their commitment to aftercare. Finding a skilled watchmaker to trust with an expensive timepiece can be a challenge, but Tùng’s team includes a true artisan. This expert, who has been with Real Watches for 16 years, has handled over a million watches - from Rolex to Patek Philippe - and trained in Switzerland. "When it comes to oiling, he’s the best in Hanoi," Tùng said proudly. "He can tell if a watch is real or fake just by holding it, feeling the weight difference of a few grams."
Inheriting a family business has given Tùng a maturity beyond his years. Watching him discuss his philosophy with such determination and humility, I was impressed. "We’ve always stood by two principles: Attentive – Trustworthy."
These values, instilled by his family, guide his approach to both business and customer relationships. "This isn’t some fly-by-night operation. Building the Real Watches brand is about building trust. In Vietnam, when someone buys a watch, they might think it over for a month. Our goal is to make sure they feel great about coming back after that first purchase."
Tùng’s vision is clear, and it’s something the watch community has been waiting for. While I can’t guarantee that every single person who walks into Real Watches will have the same experience, I can say that if you visit, you’ll likely feel the genuine passion and sincerity behind the brand. And for anyone who loves the artistry of watches, that’s an experience worth having.
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