A Nusantara Anthology
A 1st Anniversary Collection
The 2026 Anniversary Collection is more than a release; it is the first-ever collaborative dialogue between three Singaporean creators. To bring the stories of the Diraja, Kesumba, Nilam, and Firdausi to life, Waktu Horology has partnered with two of the most respected names in the local craft scene: Yi Leather and Hui.Art.
The Architect of Leather
Yi Leather
With over a decade of mastery in Singapore, Shu Yi of Yi Leather has spent years defining the standard of the handcrafted strap. A true "one-woman show," Shu Yi’s philosophy is built on the belief that a strap should complement, and never overpower, the timepiece it holds.
For this anniversary collection, Shu Yi has selected premium Epsom Calfskin—a leather renowned for its iconic pressed grain and resilience, famously utilised by the world’s most storied heritage houses. Each piece is hand-cut and hand-stitched using her signature goat lining, chosen for its incredible strength and natural water resistance.
By being in favour of traditional hand-tools, she ensures that every Waktu strap carries a "human signature." This is a level of tactile precision that mass production can never replicate, ensuring your Anniversary Edition ages with grace and character.
The Soul of the Canvas
Hui.Art
To translate the complex motifs of the Nusantara onto the intimate surface of a watch strap, we turned to Aries Liew, the self-taught visionary behind Hui.Art. Aries treats every millimetre of leather with the same reverence as a gallery canvas, specialising in the rare discipline of "wearable art."
Her process is a masterclass in extreme patience. With classical music setting the pace in her studio, Aries begins the meticulous task of hand-painting Dahliah’s digital illustrations onto the leather. This is not a single-pass effort; it is a journey of layers and layers of pigment. To ensure the motifs achieve their signature depth and "vibration," Aries must allow each layer to air-dry for several hours to a day before her brush can return to the surface.
This level of dedication requires immaculate dexterity and a profound understanding of colour theory. Drawing on years of artistic experience, Aries hand-mixes her pigments to ensure the colour perfectly matches the vision. In this focused, quiet state of craft, she transforms a functional accessory into a living tribute to Nusantara heritage.
In a world of instant gratification, this collaboration celebrates the beauty of taking one's time. A single Anniversary Strap represents a significant journey of labour:
1 week is the duration required for Shu Yi to hand-select, skive, and hand-stitch the leather with the precision that only a decade of mastery can provide.
2 to 3 Weeks is the dedicated window for Aries to meticulously hand-paint, layer, and cure the intricate motifs, ensuring the pigment achieves its signature glow.
Altogether, every single pair represents hours of dedicated manual labour, spread across weeks of careful drying and construction. This excludes the months of historical research and design development that preceded the first cut of leather.
When you wear a Waktu Anniversary Strap, you aren't just wearing an accessory—you are wearing the hours, the focus, and the spirit of a Singaporean artisan’s life.