Berita Harian Shines a Light on Waktu Horology: A Legacy on the Wrist

On October 2, 2025, Waktu Horology was featured in a wonderful article by Berita Harian, illuminating the vision and passion behind Singapore's first dedicated Malay watch brand. The feature delves into how our founder, Ms Dahliah Kamaru Zaman, is transforming the art of horology into a powerful platform for cultural storytelling.

From History to Horology
For Dahliah, the inspiration for Waktu Horology began not in the world of luxury goods but in the echoes of history. Her childhood visits to museums in Singapore and Melaka instilled in her a profound appreciation for the "grandeur of the Malacca Sultanate" and the deep-rooted values of the Malay community.

After years in the watch industry, Dahliah realised that a timepiece could be more than a measure of the present; it could be a connection to the past. The brand was created with a powerful mission: to counter the gradual fading of Malay traditions among the younger generation. As Dahliah shares, "I want Malay heritage to not only remain in museums or literature. It can also live on watches, a new canvas for storytelling."

The Klasik: Hitam: Heritage in Detail
The brand's debut model, the Klasik: Hitam, is the perfect fusion of modern precision and cultural depth. Dahliah meticulously designed the watch to embody the richness of Malay heritage, drawing heavily on the intricate art of songket weaving.

The watch features a modern 40mm stainless steel case and a robust Miyota 90S5 automatic movement from Japan. Its true beauty, however, lies in its cultural symbolism:

• The Hands: The delicate hour hand features the 'pucuk rebung' (bamboo shoot) motif, symbolising growth, while the core bears the bunga pecah lapan (eight-petaled flower) shape, representing balance.
• The Logo: The 'W' logo is placed at the 9 o'clock position as a recognition of the great voyages and the deep connection to maritime exploration that shaped Malay history.

A Growing Movement
Dahliah's efforts to revive interest in Malay culture are already extending beyond the watches themselves. The brand proudly sponsored a timepiece for the winners of the Exemplary Mother Award (EMA) organised by Jamiyah Singapore. Furthermore, Waktu Horology will be showcasing its brand for the first time at Spring Sprang Sprung, the watch fair dedicated to independent brands, in November.

Looking ahead, the brand harbours ambitions to produce more models, including a smaller 38mm design and specialised diver's and chronograph watches, with the ultimate dream of having its own factory or workshop in Singapore.

For Dahliah, each Klasik: Hitam is a profound statement: "It's not just a watch. It's actually a legacy that rests on your wrist."

We extend our sincere gratitude to Berita Harian for highlighting our story and helping us share our mission to celebrate Malay heritage with a wider audience. A special thank you goes to reporter Izwandi Azman for reaching out and so expertly capturing the spirit of Waktu Horology.

We invite you to read the full article to discover more about our story, our passion, and our commitment to bringing a rich cultural narrative to the world of watchmaking.

Read the full article on the Berita Harian website HERE.