From pursuing mechanical engineering in university to running his own watch business with his son, Tuan Haji Zainal Mohd Ali has come a long way since his beginnings in Melaka.
Now, with his sight on the global stage, the septuagenarian hopes to raise the local horology scene with it, without compromising his brand, Fateh Watches’ distinctly Malaysian heritage and identity.
Early hours
Upon completing his academics in mechanical engineering, Tuan Haji Zainal received an offer to undergo professional watchmaking and design engineering training in Geneva, Switzerland.
He then made quick work of his professional watch certification, becoming a consultant for Chinese brand Mei Hua Time Piece before contributing to the manufacturing and quality compliances of a slew of high-end brands such as Longines, Omega, Tissot, Dior, and Fossil, among others.
In 2016, however, the watchmaker turned his sights towards the local horology industry, founding Fateh Time Piece Trading and introducing Malaysians to the Fateh Watches brand with a distinctly Malaysian timepiece.
Setting the clock moving
While performing Hajj in Mecca, Tuan Haji realised a personal challenge: the time-zone difference made it difficult to stay in touch with his family back in Malaysia.
Thus, out of a need for connection and love for his family, Fateh Horology unveiled its first design, Discovery I; a watch that featured two separate time displays, one moving clockwise, and the other counter-clockwise within a single watch.
“Discovery I became more than just a watch, it was a manifestation of purpose, a bridge between legacy and innovation, and the very foundation of what Fateh Horology would become,” said a spokesperson for Fateh Watches to Vulcan Post.
In the beginning, Tuan Haji sold watches by setting up booths beside shopping malls and participating in local events where he could showcase his early creations to the masses.
Since then, the Fateh brand has evolved significantly, from opening physical spaces in Shah Alam and Cyberjaya to having the torch handed over to Tuan Haji’s youngest son Muhammad Fitry, who now serves as Design Director at Fateh Horology Sdn Bhd., established in October 2024.
Carrying the torch
Fitry continued his father’s operations, selling watches beside mosques, directly at car showrooms and offices, and through open-booth events.
But beyond just continuing the journey, Fitry took the initiative to carry the vision forward, immersing himself in joining business networking communities, attending entrepreneurship programmes, and receiving business coaching to bolster his understanding of marketing and strategy.
This initiative by Tuan Haji’s successor was what took the business to the next level, allowing Fateh Watches to gradually expand their reach across Southeast Asia and into international markets, which make up five percent of the business’ current customer base.
Despite this growth into other regions, Fateh has never compromised on its Malaysian identity, even amplifying its uniquely local elements more and more with every watch.
“Every model we create incorporates elements of Malaysian heritage, be it traditional motifs, national symbolism, or locally inspired design language, making each timepiece not just a watch, but a story of our roots,” they said.
Fateh Watches’ latest release, the Strata Edition 01, stays true to this, featuring a refined Songket Bunga Raya pattern and 14 sunray lines on the dial representing the states of Malaysia, a subtle nod to Malaysian diversity and unity.
Priced at RM3,199, the watch features Swiss movement, powered by the renowned SW240 Swiss Engine, and glow-in-the-dark elements for ease of use in dark environments.
With their timepieces being developed entirely in-house, from material selection to final assembly, Fateh Watches has taken full advantage of their level of control on their final product, steadfastly preserving their watches’ Malaysian soul and marrying it with state-of-the-art Swiss precision engineering for an exclusive, quality timepiece.
As such, each Fateh model is only released in limited quantities, carefully crafted with attention to detail—preserving exclusivity and emphasising quality over mass production.
“These differentiators allow Fateh Watches to not only compete but to lead as a pioneer in Malaysia’s emerging horology industry.”
Engineering an industry
Although Fateh Watches has shown impressive growth in recent years, from receiving the prestigious Malaysia Good Design Award for two consecutive years, to developing a sales gallery and flagship boutique, the brand expressed that their sights remain on raising the young local horology industry to global standards.
“At Fateh Horology, our vision for the future is to establish Malaysia as a respected name in the global horology industry not just as a brand, but as a creator of meaningful, high-quality timepieces rooted in culture, innovation, and craftsmanship,” they said, adding goals to increase their international customer base to 20% within the next three years.
“Ultimately, our focus is to build a strong, sustainable brand that contributes to the growth of the horology industry in Malaysia while leaving a lasting legacy for the next generation.”
Indeed, with plans to establish a Horology Institute in Malaysia to “nurture the next generation of local watchmakers and artisans,” and a private showroom to host curated events and exhibitions, Fateh has proven its commitment to fostering the Malaysian horology scene and raising local talent throughout its decade-long story.
“This journey is deeply personal for us—it’s rooted in family, legacy, and national pride. And while we’re still growing, we hope to inspire others to dream big and believe in the power of building something meaningful from within our own country.”
“As a proudly homegrown brand, we believe that Fateh Horology represents a new chapter for Malaysia’s horology industry. We’re not only creating timepieces, we’re building an ecosystem for design, innovation, and local craftsmanship.”
Featured Image Credit: Fateh Watches
