13. Sinn 356 Flieger | The Cook – A Fictional Talking Watches Interview

The cook has never been a talkative person.  If you ask his close friends, they will confirm that it’s difficult to get even a few words out of him, unless of course, it’s about food.  For the cook, his love for food started, when he began working as a stock boy at Glenn Yasuda’s Berkeley Bowl many years ago.  Since then, he’s worked up the culinary ladder, by working at famous restaurants, under world renowned chefs, such as Keller’s The French Laundry in California, and Ducasse’s Spoon in Hong Kong.  The cook has always regarded himself as, first and foremost, a cook, and feels uncomfortable at the idea of a celebrity chef, which he is, even he would have to unwillingly admit. Ever since the opening of his restaurant in Hong Kong and its subsequent success, he’s come on the local culinary scene as the new maestro.  With his focus on locally sourced produce and poultry, the restaurant has become the darling of both Instagram foodies and serious food critics.  After being on the Asia’s Top 50 Restaurant List, the restaurant’s minimalist white and grey toned space has been packed every night. What’s more, the cook has been bombarded with interview requests, from news papers to magazines, on a daily basis. Most of those interview requests were, quite naturally, about the restaurant and culinary topics. He was surprised when the restaurant manager informed him of an email from the Hodinkee team.  They were expanding their popular Talking Watches series and were looking for interviewees in Asia.  The cook, being a fan of watches, knows of the famous watch site.  However, he’s never considered himself a collector, not anymore than he would consider himself anything more than a cook.  He was skeptical at how his modest two watch collection could contribute to any meaningful horology discussions.  And it is with this sense of adventurous uncertainty, contemplating whether he should take up an offer by a restaurateur who proposed opening up a chain bearing the cook’s now famous name, that he awaits the arrival of the Hodinkee team at the restaurant.

Before they started to talk about his watches, Hodinkee asked the cook to talk about himself professionally, which he reluctantly obliged.  Then the topic turned to the cook’s collection, which was laid out on the round corner table where they were sitting. 

Hodinkee: So, you have a very small, probably one of the smallest, collection that we’ve showcased on Talking Watches. Can you tell us something about them and their history?

The Cook: Sure, well. The Rolex Datejust on a jubilee bracelet belonged to my father.  He got it the year I was born, which for me, carries a very romantic notion.  Not only is it a birth year watch, it is also a birth year watch that was bought because of my birth, which adds another level of meaning to the jubilee bracelet.

Hodinkee: Right, because as we know the jubilee bracelet was introduced a commemoration for Rolex’s 40^th anniversary.

The Cook: Exactly, and what’s more, is that my father actually gave me the Rolex when I turned 40, which just makes this piece so valuable to me, sentimentally speaking.

Hodinkee: I guess you won’t be trading this piece soon then.  Tell us about your other piece, the Sinn, does it also carry such high sentimental value?

The Cook: Well no, this piece I bought for myself a few years ago, when a friend of mine who is living in Germany introduced me to the brand.  I fell in love with the 356 Flieger immediately.

Hodinkee: Yes indeed Sinn is known for producing highly durable yet down-to-earth tool watches, but what made you choose this particular model?

The Cook: Initially it was the size, at 38.5mm it’s small, at least in today’s standards, for a chronograph.  But I was so used to wearing the Rolex, which is a 36mm, anything over 40mm just felt odd. 

Hodinkee: I can understand that, personally I’m glad to see the return of the smaller sizes, at least what’s considered small nowadays. Besides its size though, was choosing a chronograph a deliberate choice? I mean it’s quite a change from the dressier Rolex to this very tooly looking Sinn on the H-link bracelet.

The Cook: For us working in the kitchen, obviously the watch has to be able to withstand high temperatures, and the chronograph is really useful when it comes to cooking where precisions in timing are important.  Seeing Ramsay’s Breitling really inspired me to get a chronograph, though I know I couldn’t carry the yellow dial like he does. 

Hodinkee: But the domed crystal, does it get in the way when you are working?

The Cook: Unfortunately it does get quite a few bumps. The kitchen is not the safest place for time pieces. But since it is acrylic, I can easily polish the scratches off, which is kind of a therapeutic exercise, much like doing the washing up.

Hodinkee: I’m surprised that you do your own dishes!

The Cook: Well not at the restaurant, but at home, yeah, I find it relaxing.  Actually the domed crystal with bubbles in the sink from the detergent is a really pretty sight. That’s also why I love it, because it’s not a watch that has to be babied. 

Hondinkee: That’s certainly true for Sinns. Thanks for having us today at your restaurant and your time talking to us about your great two watch collection.

The cook was pleased, of the positive reviews it received after the episode was broadcast.  In fact, the episode was more favorably received than other episodes which showcased extremely high-end pieces owned by international sport stars and entertainment celebrities. Most of the reviews from average collectors praised how, despite a small collection, the cook has managed to capture the poignancy of the distilled moments of untainted joy in life. After drying up the dishes, and no longer feeling disillusioned by his new found success, the cook called the restaurateur to decline his offer.