Wong Kam Po, a renowned cyclist from Hong Kong, holds the title of 'Asian Cycling King' due to his victories in the UCI Track Cycling World Championships, three Asian Games gold medals, The National Games of the People's Republic of China gold medals, and five Olympic Games appearances. Even after retiring, he maintains a strong connection to cycling. He not only coaches and nurtures the next generation of cyclists but also contributes as a project development executive for charitable organizations, promoting sports development and fostering sportsmanship among the public. He has dedicated over 30 years to the realm of cycling and sports. The Hong Kong tourbillon brand Memorigin, which has always been a supporter of Hong Kong athletes, has collaborated with Wong Kam Po to launch the BALANCE tourbillon watch with a cycling theme. This watch incorporates his remarkable cycling career and life philosophy into its design. Through his personal experiences, he aims to inspire young people to approach life's challenges with a positive and proactive attitude. To mark this significant collaboration, they held the "Memorigin x Wong Kam Po BALANCE Tourbillon Launch Event" during the prestigious "Hong Kong Watch and Clock Fair 2023" on September 5, 2023. Hong Kong karate athlete Lee Chun Ho and Hong Kong women's badminton player Yip Pui Yin (known as "Black Sister") also attended the event to show their support.
Memorigin's founder and CEO, William Shum, together with Wong Kam Po, shared their insights on promoting cycling as a sport and the importance of advancing the sports industry. During the event, Wong Kam Po brought with him the rainbow jersey he won at the 1997 UCI Track Cycling World Championships, marking Hong Kong's first-ever gold medal in road cycling. He also showcased a bicycle and shared the stories behind these two precious items with the attendees.
Next, William and Wong Kam Po introduced the features of the BALANCE tourbillon watch together. The case, dial, and strap of the watch are made of the same carbon fiber material used in racing bikes. This material is not only lightweight but also boasts high strength and corrosion resistance. In addition to the material, the dial design incorporates numerous cycling features. The upper half of the skeleton dial conceals an aerodynamic bicycle frame pattern, while the lower half features a dazzling 18K gold bicycle chain, connecting the chainring and the flywheel. The designer ingeniously blends the watch with the cycling's power source: the chainring is integrated into the tourbillon window at 6 o'clock, and the flywheel is positioned above the gemstone of the mainspring barrel. The watch is equipped with a tourbillon movement composed of 155 components and 18 jewels, with the rotating tourbillon symbolizing the boundless passion for cycling.
The design of the time scale and hands also brims with cycling elements. The indices take the form of bicycle cushions, while the hour and minute hands draw inspiration from disc brake rotors. Additionally, the watch features luminous functionality. In the darkness, you'll be able to see the indices 1, 4, 5, and 7 glowing – these digits represent '17:45,' symbolizing the extraordinary achievement of Wong Kam Po. He secured the first-ever championship for a Chinese athlete at the 2007 UCI Track Cycling World Championships in the 15-kilometer scratch race. Through this thoughtful design, Wong Kam Po aims to inspire everyone to find hope in their efforts, even when faced with difficulties or challenges.
Lastly, Wong Kam Po engraved the life motto 'BALANCE' onto the dial, sharing the insights he gained from cycling with everyone. Cycling emphasizes balance, and he believes that facing life's ups and downs, victories, and losses, also requires balance: 'Never lose your head by victories; let it go in case of loss. Finally, Founder and CEO of Memorigin Watch Company Limited, Mr. William Shum Wai Lam, along with Director and Consultant of Memorigin Watch Company Limited, Mr. Shum Mak Ling, Director of Memorigin Watch Company Limited and Chairman of The Y.Elites Association, Mr. Lawrence Lam, and Director of Memorigin Watch (Shenzhen) Company Limited, Mr. Lian Hai Lin, jointly presented the BALANCE tourbillon watch infused with life philosophy to Wong Kam Po. This event commemorated this precious moment.