Horologist & Creative Director
Roger Khemlani (金 尧 杰) was born in colonial Hong Kong to parents from the Hindu-Persian state of Sindh. His youth was spent between Hong Kong and India, where he learned ancient languages and arts, and absorbed both cultures equally. This diverse background led him to develop a cross-cultural, broad-based approach to life and business, which is vividly reflected in his creations today.
Often referred to as the industry's maverick, Roger Khemlani started his apprenticeship in Hong Kong in 1986. Entrepreneurship runs in his family and has always been his forte. By the age of 25, he had successfully established an exclusive partnership and founded Intertime Holdings and Beta SA Brazil. This synergy led to the development of Champion, one of South America's largest watch brands. By 30, Roger had designed and produced numerous timepieces for luxury maisons, including Yves Saint Laurent, Ted Lapidus, and Carolina Herrera.
REVOLUTIONS IN TIME
To counter the growing trend of viewing time via mobile phones and to bring sustainability to the industry, Roger's passion and enthusiasm led him to create a design revolution in wristwatches. With his 27 design patents, he is credited with introducing numerous out-of-the-box design concepts to an industry previously dominated by round or square timepieces. In 2002, Roger Khemlani premiered VOILA - Revolutions in Time by releasing OP-LA, the world's first slap watch. This collection remains a best-seller among his many award-winning creations and continues to inspire numerous legacy brands.
YIN ☯ YANG
At the house of VOILA, Roger has found the perfect balance between artistry and precision engineering, proudly leading a design revolution in wrist-art. The age of globalization has subtly contributed to his success, allowing him to blend Oriental heritage with Swiss watchmaking expertise in his collections.
ICONS LIVE FOREVER
Roger Khemlani's mission as an artisan is to build a substantial watch design archive for future generations to build upon. He currently resides in Hong Kong with his wife Serena and their three daughters. As an avid sailor, he also has a passion for art, antiques, and cruising.
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