Memorigin: Time Passes But Memories Are Forever

MemOrigin is the only Hong Kong watchmaker able to produce a certified tourbillon driven time piece with in-house movements.

When every moment is precious and irretrievable, the greatness of any person can be observed by how they spend their time. No matter how much time they have a great person is always at their best. Perpetually in motion managing time, marking time, sharing time and making the most out of the now. This is the essence of great memories.

Nowhere is this truer than Hong Kong, where East and West converge, conmingle and evolve to a uniqueness that is Hong Kong’s signature. These are the people to watch. Mr William Shum, CEO and Founder of MemOrigin is one of those whose dream is being implemented with achievement. 

“Life influences life. One should pursue their dream. If it benefits you, if it benefits others, and if it benefits society-it should be pursued passionately no matter what the dream.” says Mr. Shum.

MemOrigin Hong Kong Limited best exemplifies this through the blending of East and West influences to evolve a uniqueness combined with precision time keeping and master craftsmanship. Mr William Shum, CEO and Founder, and winner of the 2015 Hong Kong Young Industrialists Award sets the tempo of MemOrigin Hong Kong Limited with the many achievements since its founding in 2011 that include certifications for precision and accuracy by a Japanese certifying body in 2014 and the distinction of being the sole Hong Kong representative at the Geneva Watch Awards in 2016 and 2017. 

The company’s name, MemOrigin, is a convergence of the words memory and original which attributes the meaning of the marking of time and commemoration of events and special moments with originality in designs that combine East and West influences to place that memory in a unique time piece.

The legacy of the tourbillon
It is “ne plus ultra” of a master watchmaker’s skills, powering all creations from MemOrigin. Just as the tourbillon differentiates the master watchmaker from the rest, MemOrigin is the only watchmaker in Hong Kong able to produce a certified tourbillon driven time piece with its own in-house movements. 

The inspiration of commemorating memories and events was given to Mr. William Shum by his father and grandfather who passed to him their passion for Asian culture and mechanical precision through their collection of oriental art and rare vintage mechanical music boxes. MemOrigin carries this inspiration forward in its use of materials and designs from East and West influences in unique prestige pieces, having a strong Hong Kong character that is appreciated by connoisseurs and collectors, not just in Hong Kong but from around the globe.

MemOrigin collaborated with Disney to bring the first Avengers 2 series tourbillon to market in 2015 joining their Lucas’ Star Wars tourbillon. One of the highlights in Memorigin’s portfolio was this collaboration and under the partnership, Ironman and Captain America were carved on the dial to present a real and 3D sensation. The tourbillon’s polishing, assembly and quality control were overseen by master watchmakers and their teams to ensure the “perfection of art.”

Celebrity’s choice
Besides cooperating with Disney, Memorigin also does different crossovers with celebrities in Hong Kong. “We use the design inspiration from my dad’s antique wood collection to embed inside the watch design to fulfill the merger of east and west as a Hong Kong brand,” says Shum. There is also a unique Bruce Lee Tourbillon and traditional Chinese Horoscope series to name a few. 

“Our original and unique time pieces are very popular with connoisseurs and collectors in Japan and there is growing interest from European collectors.” 

Mr. Shum proudly states “As a Hong Kong brand we are showing the world Hong Kong’s diversity and spirit in having the courage and skills to design a tourbillon powered watch that would complete a connoisseur’s collection while offering the ideal quality to price ratio. As a result we find growing interest from younger collectors worldwide.” 

Memorigin timepieces have graced the wrists of not just Hong Kong celebrities. Jermaine Jackson, Cecilia Cheung Jacky Chan, Tian Hai Rong, Simon and Qi Qi Yam, Donnie Yen, Ronald Cheng, Michelle X and Arnold Schwarzenegger are amongst the illustrious wearers their own designs commemorating those special moments in their lives. Bespoke customisation allows everyone to create unique time pieces commemorating those special moments and achievements within in the timepiece itself.

“If it benefits society.”
MemOrigin Hong Kong has a strong sense of Corporate Social Responsibility actively, as evident in their active support in a broad base of charities throughout Hong Kong. Mr. Shum is also a guest lecturer at Hong Kong University where he shares his experience, struggles and success to students who are aspiring to embark on business and pursue their passion. With MemOrigin, time passes with precision, and your memories are forever. 

Memorigin is the 2018 High Flyer Award Winner for their Innovative Tourbillon Watches.