On The Clock With Simu Liu, Uncovering His Love For The IWC Portugieser

Simu Liu, a Canadian actor, writer, and producer, has garnered widespread recognition for his dynamic talents and contributions to the entertainment industry. From breaking into the spotlight with his role as Jung Kim in the hit television series “Kim’s Convenience” and his groundbreaking role as the titular character in Marvel Studios’ “Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings” that catapulted him to global fame to starring in the hit movie of the summer, “Barbie,” Liu is a force to be reckoned with. As we’ve learned this summer, the worlds of cinematography and horology continue to collide like never before. Haute Time went on the clock with Liu to discover his affinity to timepieces, which watch holds the most significance to him, and how the meaning of timepieces truly transcends beyond time.

Photo Credit: Courtesy of IWC/Getty Images

HAUTE TIME: When did you discover your passion for timepieces? 
SIMU LIU: I can’t say it’s always been a part of my style as we were an immigrant family that grew up very poor, but what I love about watches — for me personally — is that every piece has its own meaning. As a collector, when you see something you love, like the movement, and you get obsessed with it, you just get it — that is satisfying for me. Every watch I have gotten also signifies such an important milestone in my career. For example, I took the IWC Portugieser Chrono with me on the “Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings” press tour. That was the watch I wore on pretty much every red carpet that I did, and it was such a memorable moment for me, so every time I look at that watch, I feel like I’m taken back to that moment in my life.

Similarly, the IWC Pilot’s Watch Chronograph 41, which is the Mercedes AMG-Pertronas MERCEDES-AMG PETRONAS Formula One™ Team watch, will forever signify me beating Lewis Hamilton at the 2023 free-throw challenge during the 2023 Miami Grand Prix. I will never let him live it down.

I have gotten into the joy of collecting over the last few years or so, alongside such a boom in my career and having it take off — it’s been nice having them coincide.

HT: If you had to pick, what is your all-time favorite watch?
SL: The IWC Portugieser; I am obsessed with them. I know they are a little bit dressier, I have the two leather straps, but it’s a wonderful way to tie an outfit together. I have both the black and gold and green and silver models. I also am excited about the Miami pink one this year as well since I was in “Barbie.”

Photo Credit: Getty Images

HT: As you have an incredibly close relationship with IWC, what drew you to the brand? 
SL:  IWC has an immaculate reputation. While it has its stature as one of the leaders in Swiss watchmaking, I think it is rare and exciting when a brand with that kind of heritage and gravitas (as IWC) decides to be a bit playful and fun. I think that is what you see throughout all of their close friends of the brand, like Lewis Hamilton playing basketball before the F1 race in Miami – it’s all about having fun and celebrating the brand.

Right now, it feels like a youthful and rebellious pivot for the brand, and in watchmaking, these are things that speak to me.