Text by Alex Low
Time is often measured in seconds, but its value is rarely defined by the clock alone. As part of our Make Every Second Count campaign, we celebrate the idea that every moment is shaped by intention — not by urgency, but by purpose. It is a philosophy that resonates with those who move with conviction, choosing what each second is allowed to mean. It is an apt sentiment for Awal Ashaari.
On his wrist is the Franck Muller Vanguard Damascus, a collection inspired by the ancient craftsmanship behind traditional Japanese blades. Available exclusively at Franck Muller by Cortina Watch, Pavilion Kuala Lumpur, the timepiece is forged from patented Damascus steel, revealing naturally occurring layered patterns unique to every watch. The result is a legendary material reimagined as a contemporary expression of fine watchmaking.
Like the man wearing it, the watch is less concerned with following convention than with expressing character through craftsmanship.
The Value of Preparation
On Awal Ashaari’s wrist, the Franck Muller Vanguard Damascus brings the artistry of ancient Damascus steel into modern watchmaking. Wardrobe by COS.
The suite at Hyatt Centric City Centre Kuala Lumpur hums with the urgency of a production in motion. It is here that television personality, entrepreneur and content creator Awal Ashaari is preparing for another day in front of the camera. Photographers fine-tune their gear, videographers run through audio checks and stylists make one last pass over lapels and shirt cuffs before the cameras begin rolling.
Amid the controlled choreography, Awal appears remarkably unhurried.
Already camera-ready as the final adjustments are made, he greets me with the ease of someone well acquainted with the rhythm of a shoot. Before our conversation begins, however, he reaches into his bag and produces a wireless microphone. “It’ll make the recording clearer,” he says with a smile.
It is a small gesture, but one that reveals a mindset shaped by preparation rather than spectacle. For someone whose career has spanned acting, television, business and entrepreneurship, success has never relied on grand gestures. Instead, it has been built on the discipline of getting the small things right — an approach that now defines not only how he works, but how he lives.
Changing Moment
Ask Awal about the defining moment of his life and he bypasses career milestones altogether. Instead, he returns to the day he first held his eldest child. “My world got turned upside down,” he recalls. “You no longer live for yourself.”
Fatherhood fundamentally changed his relationship with time. Decisions that were once instinctive are now made with greater consideration, guided by the knowledge that every choice leaves an impression on the family who look to him.
The pace may not have slowed, but the purpose behind it has become unmistakably clearer. After all, to make every second count is not simply to fill each moment, but to ensure it carries meaning.
Meaning Over Momentum
Distinctive without demanding attention, the Franck Muller Vanguard Damascus Racing complements Awal Ashaari’s understated approach.
That same sense of intention has reshaped the way he views success. Much of his early career was spent meeting the expectations that came with being a public figure — remaining visible, accommodating industry demands and constantly striving to please audiences. Looking back, he admits there came a point when pursuing external validation left little room for himself.
He describes them as “empty spaces” — parts of his life left unexplored while he focused on building a name for himself. Stepping back allowed him to rediscover experiences that made him feel whole again, not because they enhanced his public persona, but because they mattered to him.
Perhaps it is this appreciation for meaning over momentum that explains why one particular Franck Muller timepiece occupies a special place in his collection. Gifted by his wife for their anniversary, it is not something he reaches for every day.
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“It’s a classic piece,” he says. “I only wear it for special events.” The decision is deliberate. Some things, Awal believes, are not meant to accompany every occasion, but to mark those that are worth remembering.
As our conversation draws to a close, what lingers most is not a single remark but Awal’s quiet sense of readiness — a belief that preparation underpins everything he does. It extends beyond work, shaping the way he approaches family, relationships and the commitments he chooses to keep.
Like any enduring piece of craftsmanship, their value is measured not by how often they are seen, but by the meaning they accumulate over time. In the end, making every second count is less about racing against the clock than about choosing, with intention, what each moment is truly worth.
Creative Director – Special Project & Digital Nisa’ Halid, Creative Director – The Peak Richard Augustin, Video & Photography Joe Ng, Zach & Wong Make Up Artist Sahir Sabri Hair Bibian Leong Stylist Azza Arif Assisted by Nur Afiqah & Nurul Izzati Location Hyatt Centric City Centre Kuala Lumpur
