The Class of '57 Strap On the Iconic Omega Speedmaster '57 - Men's Folio
Time, Spreads

The Class of ’57 Strap On the Iconic Omega Speedmaster ’57

  • By Asaph Low

The Class of '57 Strap On the Iconic Omega Speedmaster '57 Glenn Yong
The Omega Speedmaster ‘57 honours the very first Omega Speedmaster created in 1957. ALYPH, Glenn Yong, Joshua Tan and Lennard Yeong share what makes an icon, how they improve themselves and their greatest adventure yet.

Glenn Yong

The Omega Speedmaster ‘57 is one of the most iconic chronographs ever created. What do you think are the qualities that make an icon?
When you’re the first person to ever do something, that makes someone an icon. Neil Armstrong was the first man to go on the moon wearing an Omega watch. To me, that is an icon.

The Omega Speedmaster ‘57 pays homage to the first revolutionary Speedmaster launched in 1957. Is there a figure that you feel revolutionised the industry you are in?
I would say, Hong Hui Fang, who was nominated for the best leading actress at the Golden Horse Awards. I felt that put Singapore on the map within Asia and regional countries, giving a lot of hope to local actors; you can step out of Singapore and other countries even though you’re doing a local project. She inspired me.

Innovation is at the heart of Omega as the Speedmaster ‘57 spots the latest technical updates. How do you constantly better yourself each day?
My mantra is to stay focused; the only person you should compete with is yourself. Try to be better than the you of yesterday, and that is how I see it. Other things are just noise.

The Omega Speedmaster ‘57 combines vintage elements with contemporary touches. What do you like most about the watch you’re wearing today?
I like the green hues in the watch; it gives off a manly and cool feeling to whoever wears it and matches my vibe as well. I also love how they designed the tachymeter; I like that it is subtle.

The Omega Speedmaster is linked to humankind’s greatest adventure — reaching space and the moon. What will be your greatest adventure?
Probably when I make it to Hollywood one day or on the international stage doing an international production.

Omega is named after the last letter of the Greek alphabet and represents ultimate accomplishment. What will be the Omega moment in your career?
When I manage to perform for National Day, that will be one of the Omega moments in my life.

Glenn is wearing the Omega Speedmaster ‘57 CoAxial Master Chronometer Chronograph 40.5mm with green dial in stainless steel case and matching bracelet
The Class of '57 Strap On the Iconic Omega Speedmaster '57 Joshua Tan

Joshua Tan

The Omega Speedmaster ‘57 is one of the most iconic chronographs ever created.What do you think are the qualities that make an icon?
I believe that being relentless in the pursuit of being the very best in your field is integral to becoming an icon.

The Omega Speedmaster ‘57 pays homage to the first revolutionary Speedmaster launched in 1957. Is there a figure that you feel revolutionised the industry you are in?
On the international stage, I have admired Heath Ledger, the late Aussie actor who pushed boundaries (perhaps a little too far at times), but dared to go where few have ventured.
I also particularly admire Adrian Pang and have most recently ticked my bucket list and having the privilege of being scene partners in a small cameo in Netflix’s Little Women.

Innovation is at the heart of Omega as the Speedmaster ‘57 spots the latest technical updates. How do you constantly better yourself each day?
I focus on myself, not what my competition is up to. I believe that comparing yourself to others is the quickest road to ruin & unhappiness. I race against myself, no one else.

The Omega Speedmaster ‘57 combines vintage elements with contemporary touches.What do you like most about the watch you’re wearing today?
I’m particularly enamoured with the brown leather strap and the black face. To me it’s a slightly unconventional pairing, but I’m taken with it.

The Omega Speedmaster is linked to humankind’s greatest adventure — reaching space and the moon. What will be your greatest adventure?
As an actor, it’s all about the story for me. I don’t crave the biggest stages and brightest lights but perhaps working on a story that really pushes all boundaries that seem immovable, that resonates with me, would be one of my greatest adventures.

Omega is named after the last letter of the Greek alphabet and represents ultimate accomplishment. What will be the Omega moment in your career?
I am all about full blown, adrenaline pumping action. Having been an avid Muay Thai practitioner for more than 15 years, I managed to tick off having my first Muay Thai bout off my bucket list when I hit 30. I also took up tricking and flipping a few years ago, so combining everything and being in a full blown film with an actual believable & if possibly even, gripping story would be an Omega moment for me in my career.

Joshua is wearing the Omega Speedmaster ‘57 CoAxial Master Chronometer Chronograph 40.5mm with black dial in stainless steel case and leather strap

The Class of '57 Strap On the Iconic Omega Speedmaster '57 Alyph

ALYPH

The Omega Speedmaster ‘57 is one of the most iconic chronographs ever created. What do you think are the qualities that make an icon?
Originality, innovation and to be able to withstand the test of time.

The Omega Speedmaster ‘57 pays homage to the first revolutionary Speedmaster launched in 1957. Is there a figure that you feel revolutionised the industry you are in?
Michael Jackson and his team revolutionised pop and that gives me inspiration to do the same to music till this day and forever more.

Innovation is at the heart of Omega as the Speedmaster ‘57 spots the latest technical updates. How do you constantly better yourself each day?
I try to let go of who I was yesterday and focus on what I made me today. Other than that, some lightwork in the gym, good food and being around great people.

The Omega Speedmaster ‘57 combines vintage elements with contemporary touches. What do you like most about the watch you’re wearing today?
First and foremost, the colour of the dial is actually one of my favourite colours ever. Beyond that, the fact that it retains key elements of its original design and, as a musician, its winding haptics and the beautiful sound it makes when it comes alive is something that grips me.

The Omega Speedmaster is linked to humankind’s greatest adventure — reaching space and the moon. What will be your greatest adventure?
That has yet to be discovered.

Omega is named after the last letter of the Greek alphabet and represents ultimate accomplishment. What will be the Omega moment in your career?
When I am able to leave a legacy.

ALYPH is wearing the Omega Speedmaster ‘57 Co‑Axial Master Chronometer Chronograph 40.5mm with burgundy dial in stainless steel case and matching bracelet


Lennard Yeong

The Omega Speedmaster ‘57 is one of the most iconic chronographs ever created. What do you think are the qualities that make an icon?
I think the person needs to be good in their field; someone that possesses technical knowledge in a sport or whatever industry they’re in. But they also need to display characteristics worth looking up to — like empathy, good manners or treating people right because these things go beyond technical abilities.

The Omega Speedmaster ‘57 pays homage to the first revolutionary Speedmaster launched in 1957. Is there a figure that you feel revolutionised the industry you are in?
When I started cooking, everybody was looking up to a chef called Ferran Adrià, who was at the peak of his fame between 2007 to 2009. I just returned from Spain a week ago, and I can still see his influence rippling even a decade later. I still see the people who used to work at his restaurants or the techniques he revolutionised over a decade later, and that is true influence and truly iconic. That is the exact definition of an icon.

Innovation is at the heart of Omega as the Speedmaster ‘57 spots the latest technical updates. How do you constantly better yourself each day?
For me, it’s about learning new skills all the time. I actually spoke about this on social media recently. I picked up videography and video editing earlier this year because I caught COVID-19 and had nothing to do. I just feel really proud when I make a cooking video and edit it myself. And because I’m so new to it, I’m constantly trying and learning new things. I’m addicted to upskilling myself; every time I learn a new skill, it improves my life tremendously.

The Omega Speedmaster ‘57 combines vintage elements with contemporary touches. What do you like most about the watch you’re wearing today?
Firstly, the shaded blue of the leather strap was really nice; it accented the steel case very nicely. I also like the blue sunburst effect; it’s very eye-catching. And, of course, blue is my favourite colour, so I was naturally drawn to the watch I was wearing.

The Omega Speedmaster is linked to humankind’s greatest adventure — reaching space and the moon. What will be your greatest adventure?
Not many people know this, but I was under scholarship when I first graduated and was bonded to an engineering company. I hated my job, and throughout my three or four years there, I would daydream daily about living an interesting life because I felt like my life in the engineering firm was so mundane. These days, I’m raring to go when I wake because I look forward to what I have to do. If I can do something interesting every week, like a photoshoot today or a cooking video, that’s my definition of success because I know what it’s like to wake up and dread going to work.

Omega is named after the last letter of the Greek alphabet and represents ultimate accomplishment. What will be the Omega moment in your career?
I don’t know yet. You will reflect on this at the end of your life, which will be your legacy or what you will be remembered for. At this point in my life, I can say that I inspired people to cook. People were posting what they cooked using my videos and recipes I did during the COVID-19 pandemic. That made me really happy because I felt the most satisfaction when I saw that I inspired some people to cook.

Lennard is wearing the Omega Speedmaster ‘57 CoAxial Master Chronometer Chronograph 40.5mm with blue dial in stainless steel case and matching bracelet

Photography Zantz Han
Creative Direction & Styling Manfred Lu
Styling Assistant Justin Neo
Production Charmaine Tan
Hair and Grooming for Joshua Tan & Lennard Yeong, Sha Shamsi and Aung Keng
Hair and Grooming for Alyph Sha Shamsi
Hair and Grooming for Glenn Yong Christvian Goh and Zoel Tee. 

Once you’re done with this story, click here to catch up with our November ’22 issue!