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Our Rolex History
The story behind Chung Fatt Kee is a truly inspiring one. Chung Lai Chan, a migrant from China, came to Sabah,
Malaysia with his family to establish roots.
Through his hard work and dedication, he went from an employee in small
watch shop to setting up Chung Fatt Kee and building it to what it is today. Now helmed by the second and third
generation of the Chung family, the luxury watch retailer continues to excite customers with its wide selection of
Rolex timepieces while educating fellow watch enthusiasts with its in-depth product and technical knowledge.
When it all began
In 1936, Chung Lai Chan travelled from Zijin County in Guangdong, China to Sabah, Malaysia with his family. The then-11-year-old settled
down in the Sabahan township of Sandakan, some 330km from Jesselton (currently known as Kota Kinabalu). There, the young man worked
tirelessly as a labourer and started saving up in the hope of setting up his own business one day. During the Japanese occupation, Chung
moved to Kudat, a fairly small town at the tip of the island of Borneo. While working at a small watch shop called Chung Lin Kee, he had the
opportunity to pick up some basic watchmaking skills, which he honed for several years. In 1946, Chung had moved to Jesselton and with his
new-found watchmaking skills, set up Chung Fatt Kee, a small shop doing repairs and refurbishments of watches. It was situated at Jalan
Gaya right across the Jesselton Railway and Signal Station.
Business started small with only Chung Lai Chan and an assistant. But Chung Fatt Kee served the town well with throngs of residents, who worked primarily as labourers, buying watches from it. Chung Fatt Kee began its affinity with Rolex when it started retailing its watches in 1958. In 1960, the original boutique was shifted to 55 Jalan Pantai—a 1,500sqft shop space next to other small-scaled businesses in an up-andcoming neighbourhood.
Business started small with only Chung Lai Chan and an assistant. But Chung Fatt Kee served the town well with throngs of residents, who worked primarily as labourers, buying watches from it. Chung Fatt Kee began its affinity with Rolex when it started retailing its watches in 1958. In 1960, the original boutique was shifted to 55 Jalan Pantai—a 1,500sqft shop space next to other small-scaled businesses in an up-andcoming neighbourhood.
Chung Fatt Kee today
Over the decades, the business of Chung Fatt Kee blossomed and grew. Its scale expanded with the presence of Rolex watches, bringing the business
to greater heights. In 1997, the lease at 55 Jalan Pantai ran out, resulting in Chung Fatt Kee relocating to 11 Jalan Pantai. The business remained
there for the next decade, earning the trust of its clients and building a sizeable customer base. It was only in 2007 that Chung Fatt Kee shifted one unit
down to 13 Jalan Pantai, which becomes its permanent home. The watch retailer has since remained in the same location and underwent
refurbishment in 2017, illustrating its dedication to upholding the excellent standards that Rolex is known for.
With its leadership currently helmed by the second and third generation, Chung Fatt Kee looks to the future with hope. “We do not aim to be the biggest, but to do things to the best of our abilities,” believe the Chungs. As the retailer navigates the future, it continues to solidify its position as an Official Rolex Retailer. Its sales staff constantly keep up to date with the latest watch trends and pride themselves in their unrivalled reputation for quality and expertise. Not only can Chung Fatt Kee customers view and enjoy a wide selection of Rolex timepieces in an elegant, luxurious and spacious environment, they can be assured of a high level of after-sales service too. The same keen attention to detail also goes into the servicing of your Rolex timepiece at the Service Centre. The staff are trained and equipped with the necessary skills, technical know-how and special equipment, guaranteeing the authenticity of each and every part of your Rolex watch.
The relationship between Rolex and Chung Fatt Kee has been a long and enduring one. Both marques have collaborated for some 60 years and this partnership looks set to continue and further flourish. With a common belief and dedication to upholding the essence of Rolex, the partnership has grown into one built on friendship, understanding, trust and a common passion for watches and craftsmanship. Chung Fatt Kee is proud to be part of the worldwide network of Official Rolex Retailers.
With its leadership currently helmed by the second and third generation, Chung Fatt Kee looks to the future with hope. “We do not aim to be the biggest, but to do things to the best of our abilities,” believe the Chungs. As the retailer navigates the future, it continues to solidify its position as an Official Rolex Retailer. Its sales staff constantly keep up to date with the latest watch trends and pride themselves in their unrivalled reputation for quality and expertise. Not only can Chung Fatt Kee customers view and enjoy a wide selection of Rolex timepieces in an elegant, luxurious and spacious environment, they can be assured of a high level of after-sales service too. The same keen attention to detail also goes into the servicing of your Rolex timepiece at the Service Centre. The staff are trained and equipped with the necessary skills, technical know-how and special equipment, guaranteeing the authenticity of each and every part of your Rolex watch.
The relationship between Rolex and Chung Fatt Kee has been a long and enduring one. Both marques have collaborated for some 60 years and this partnership looks set to continue and further flourish. With a common belief and dedication to upholding the essence of Rolex, the partnership has grown into one built on friendship, understanding, trust and a common passion for watches and craftsmanship. Chung Fatt Kee is proud to be part of the worldwide network of Official Rolex Retailers.
