{{Short description|Singaporean publisher (born 1969)}} {{AI-generated|date=March 2026}} {{Infobox person | name = Wei Koh | native_name = 許炜 | native_name_lang = Chinese | birth_name = | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1969|11|11|df=y}} | birth_place = United States | citizenship = Singapore | alma_mater = Vassar College | occupation = {{flatlist| * Publisher * entrepreneur * journalist * creative director}} | spouse = {{plainlist| * {{marriage|Joycelyn Shu|reason=divorced}} * {{marriage|Bebe Ding|2024}} }} | organization = The Rake<br>Revolution Magazine | relatives = Tommy Koh (father)<br>Aun Koh (brother) }} '''Wei Koh''' (Chinese: 許炜; born 11 November 1969) is a Singaporean publisher, entrepreneur, and creative director best known as the founder of ''Revolution'', an independent watch magazine, and ''The Rake'', a luxury men’s lifestyle publication.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Proof of life: The Founder |url=https://therake.com/us/stories/proof-of-life-the-founder |access-date=2025-12-12 |website=therake.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=The Naked Watchmaker |url=https://www.thenakedwatchmaker.com/people-wei-koh |access-date=2025-12-12 |website=The Naked Watchmaker |language=en-US}}</ref> Koh is widely regarded as one of the most influential voices in modern horology media.<ref>{{Cite web |title=WEI KOH – IAMWATCH |url=https://www.iamwatch.com/people/wei-koh/ |access-date=2025-12-12 |website=www.iamwatch.com}}</ref>
== Early Life and Education == Koh is the son of Singaporean diplomat Tommy Koh. He was born and raised in the United States where he attended Vassar College.<ref>{{Cite web |title=A tasteful guide to Singapore with The Rake’s Wei Koh |url=https://www.thomasmason.co.uk/en/articles/a-tasteful-guide-to-singapore-with-the-rakes-wei-koh/ |access-date=2025-12-12 |website=Thomas Mason |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Talking Watches: With Wei Koh |url=https://www.hodinkee.com/articles/talking-watches-with-wei-koh |access-date=2025-12-12 |website=Hodinkee |language=en}}</ref> He has described his early exposure to tailoring, vintage style, and mechanical watches as formative influences on his later editorial work.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Permanent Style |url=https://www.permanentstyle.com/2018/07/where-and-why-i-shop-wei-koh-the-rake.html |access-date=2025-12-12 |website=Permanent Style |language=en-US}}</ref>
== Career == Before founding his own publications, Koh worked as a writer and creative consultant across lifestyle, luxury, and fashion sectors, developing a reputation for his editorial voice and encyclopaedic knowledge of watches and classic menswear.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-10-16 |title=How horology fan Wei Koh made the watchmaking show he’d been wanting to see |url=https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/watches/article/3329053/wei-kohs-man-hour-explores-lives-watchmakers-mbf-greubel-forsey |access-date=2025-12-12 |website=South China Morning Post |language=en}}</ref>
== Revolution Magazine == In 2005, Koh founded ''Revolution'', a publication focused on mechanical watches and the modern culture surrounding horology.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Wei Koh |url=https://revolutionwatch.com/author/weirevolutionmagazines-com/ |access-date=2025-12-12 |website=Revolution Watch |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2025-10-31 |title=Man Of The Hour: Wei Koh’s love letter to horology |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/life/style/man-of-the-hour-wei-kohs-love-letter-to-horology |access-date=2025-12-12 |work=The Straits Times |language=en |issn=0585-3923}}</ref> The magazine expanded rapidly, evolving into a global media brand with regional editions, a digital platform, and collaborations with major watch manufacturers.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2022-09-07 |title=Grail Watch Was Created to Elevate Limited Editions (Published 2022) |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/09/07/fashion/grail-watches-wei-koh-singapore.html |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20241122063552/https://www.nytimes.com/2022/09/07/fashion/grail-watches-wei-koh-singapore.html |archive-date=2024-11-22 |access-date=2025-12-12 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Cantori |first=Giansandro |date=2025-10-29 |title=Refinery Media and Wei Koh Join Forces for Man of the Hour, an 8-Episode Horology Series Premiering on Discovery |url=https://thechicandcool.com/refinery-media-and-wei-koh-join-forces-for-man-of-the-hour-an-8-episode-horology-series-premiering-on-discovery/ |access-date=2025-12-12 |website=The Chic and Cool |language=en-US}}</ref>
== The Rake == In 2008, Koh launched ''The Rake'', a men’s lifestyle magazine centred on “classic elegance,” craftsmanship, tailoring, and the culture of refined living.<ref name=":0" /> Under Koh’s direction, ''The Rake'' developed a distinctive editorial identity, reviving interest in mid-century style, the concept of the modern gentleman, and narratives around craft and heritage.<ref>{{Cite web |title=A note from the founder |url=https://therake.com/us/stories/a-note-from-the-founder |access-date=2025-12-12 |website=therake.com |language=en}}</ref>
The brand later expanded into e-commerce, becoming a global retailer for luxury menswear and artisanal brands.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Rake Magazine |url=https://303.london/digital-marketing-case-studies/the-rake-magazine |access-date=2025-12-12 |website=303.london |language=en}}</ref>
== Man of the Hour ==
Koh is the creator, host, and executive producer of ''Man of the Hour'', an episodic television series focused on the global watch industry and the personalities behind contemporary watchmaking.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Man of the Hour Official Website |url=https://manofthehour.tv/ |access-date=2026-04-29 |website=Man of the Hour}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Refinery Media and Wei Koh Join Forces for Man of the Hour |url=https://thechicandcool.com/refinery-media-and-wei-koh-join-forces-for-man-of-the-hour-an-8-episode-horology-series-premiering-on-discovery/ |access-date=2026-04-29 |website=The Chic and Cool}}</ref>
The series follows an eight-episode format and takes viewers inside the world of watchmaking, featuring leading independent watchmakers, brands, and industry figures.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Man of the Hour – Official Synopsis |url=https://manofthehour.tv/ |access-date=2026-04-29 |website=Man of the Hour}}</ref> It explores the craftsmanship, culture, and personal stories behind horology through a mix of documentary storytelling, travel, and interviews.<ref>{{Cite web |title=“Man of the Hour”: A New Docuseries Celebrating the Art and Humanity of Watchmaking |url=https://www.hodinkee.com/articles/man-of-the-hour-a-new-docuseries-celebrating-the-art-and-humanity-of-watchmaking-featuring-wei-koh |access-date=2026-04-29 |website=Hodinkee}}</ref>
The programme premiered on Discovery platforms in multiple regions and has been described as one of the first documentary-style series dedicated to modern watchmaking.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Man of the Hour TV series comes to discovery+ |url=https://www.timekeepers.club/articles/industry-news/man-of-the-hour-tv-series-on-independent-watchmaking-comes-to-discovery-in-the-us |access-date=2026-04-29 |website=Timekeepers Club}}</ref>
== GPHG Presidency ==
In March 2026, Koh was appointed President of the Jury of the Grand Prix d'Horlogerie de Genève (GPHG) for its 2026 edition.<ref>{{Cite web |title=GPHG President of Jury Wei Koh |url=https://revolutionwatch.com/gphg-president-of-jury-wei-koh/ |access-date=2026-04-29 |website=Revolution Watch}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Wei Koh appointed President of the GPHG Jury |url=https://www.gphg.org/uploads/CP_Wei_Koh_Jury_ENG_ce3a37140d.pdf |access-date=2026-04-29 |website=GPHG}}</ref>
The appointment was announced by the GPHG Foundation, which cited Koh’s international reputation, technical expertise in watchmaking, and long-standing influence in horology media as key factors in his selection. He succeeded Nick Foulkes, who had served as Jury President from 2021 to 2025.
As President of the Jury, Koh oversees the final stage of the GPHG judging process, in which jurors convene to evaluate nominated timepieces and determine award winners through a confidential voting procedure. The role is considered one of the most prominent positions in the global watch industry, reflecting the GPHG’s status as a leading authority in recognising excellence in watchmaking.
Koh described the appointment as “one of the greatest honours” of his career and expressed his commitment to promoting and preserving the values of traditional horology while expanding the global visibility of the awards.<ref name="GPHGpress">{{Cite web |title=Wei Koh appointed President of the GPHG Jury |url=https://www.gphg.org/uploads/CP_Wei_Koh_Jury_ENG_ce3a37140d.pdf |access-date=2026-04-29 |website=GPHG}}</ref>
== Legare ==
In 2026, Koh co-founded ''Legare'', an independent watch brand focused on high-end mechanical watchmaking and historically inspired complications, together with Guillaume Têtu, founder of Hautlence.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Legare Official Website |url=https://legarewatch.com/ |access-date=2026-04-29 |website=Legare}}</ref>
The brand first teased its inaugural model, the ''Legare Chapter 1'', during Watches & Wonders 2026. The watch draws inspiration from a 1930s prototype by Albert Gustave Piguet, notable for its use of dual balance wheels coupled by a differential mechanism.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Legare Chapter 1 |url=https://legarewatch.com/ |access-date=2026-04-29 |website=Legare}}</ref>
The ''Chapter 1'' features a 37.5 mm grade 5 titanium case and a movement developed in collaboration with TEC Ebauches. The project has been described as a “passion project” reflecting Koh’s longstanding interest in horological innovation and heritage. The model was scheduled for official launch in June 2026.
== References == <references />
Category:Publishers (people) Category:Singaporean fashion designers Category:Menswear designers Category:1969 births Category:Living people