The Answers: Jay Ong

For collectors, sometimes the thrill of the hunt is just as rewarding as the acquisition itself. “I had been wanting a Teppei Kaneuji sculpture since I discovered his work at Art Basel in 2015,” Jay Ong says. “I really liked how he collaged these plastic toy figures to create a mashup of pop culture references. Regretfully, I didn’t buy a piece when I had a chance.”

Eight years later, Jay found himself touring a Tokyo gallery with Asia Society. “Before leaving, it suddenly occurred to me to ask where I could find Kaneuji’s work they might have known a gallery, or possibly the artist himself? Much to my surprise, they actually represented him!”

Jay didn’t want to miss this opportunity a second time; the pieces the gallery procured from their backroom are now displayed in a cozy “man cave” dedicated to his art, vintageVintageVintage refers to the specific year a wine's grapes were harvested, with exceptional vintages reflecting particularly favorable growing season conditions within a given region and year. Serious collectors track vintageGo to Vintage Glossary toy, and vinyl collections, with many pieces fortuitous finds themselves.

Jay’s watch collection, however, is more intentional. “A watch is a very personal and intimate object because you have it on you all the time,” he says. “They are wonderful mementos to commemorate a milestone or special occasion. Sometimes they are gifted by a loved one, which makes them even more special. I like pieces that have a story or significance, which is why I gravitate toward vintageVintageVintage refers to the specific year a wine's grapes were harvested, with exceptional vintages reflecting particularly favorable growing season conditions within a given region and year. Serious collectors track vintageGo to Vintage Glossary.”

He cites a watch given to him by his wife, Carmen, on their honeymoon in Argentina, and a Seiko diver’s watch, a gift from his father on his seventh birthday. “I felt like Jacques Cousteau,” he says, of his first watch. “The breadth of horology is so wide, and [it’s] a very deep rabbit hole. There is so much to discover, which means you will never get bored.”

Jay is president of Next Century Building Systems, a company that provides innovative and sustainable solutions for construction projects, but this corporate persona belies his more adventurous pursuits. For many years, he was part of an adventure motorcycling group, traversing remote provinces in China, the deserts of Morocco, and dirt roads in South Africa, among other exotic locales. These days, he has taken up more leisurely hobbies like sailing (“relaxing, exhilarating”) and pickleball. “It’s fun and not as intense as other racket sports. Perfect for an older guy like me!”

What’s the first thing you do when you wake up in the morning?
I center myself by reading a devotional like the Daily Dad.

Do you have a uniform for certain occasions?
Japanese denim, a long-sleeve shirt, and comfortable shoes for casual daily wear. A guayabera or sport coat for business or more formal occasions.

What have you done recently for the first time?
A hammam experience at Cinili in Istanbul.

What apps do you use the most?
Podcasts, Spotify, Blinkist.

What do you do that’s still analog?
Listen to Fleetwood Mac on vinyl.

Do you have any personal rituals?
In the morning, I like to meditate, and then exercise if I have time. After that, I brew my coffee and read the news or solve the NYT puzzles (Wordle, Connections, Mini Crossword, and Strands) while having breakfast. I also listen to podcasts or blinks while driving to work.

What advice do you wish you’d followed?
Trust the process.

What do you most crave at the end of the day?
A home-cooked dinner with my family.

Who is your dealer and what do they source for you?
A big part of acquisition is the thrill of the hunt. There are various little watch shops in Tokyo I like to visit. For art, it’s Silverlens and Art Informal.

What is your exercise routine and how often
do you do it?
I try to swim at least twice a week. I’d also like to get back into cycling and Pilates so I have at least one form of daily exercise.

What does success look like to you?
My children all settled and happily married with their own families.

How do you find calm?
Meditation and being in and around water. Who is your guru? I usually turn to my family and my EO forum or advice and guidance.

What’s your favorite cocktail?
A highball or a dirty gin martini.

What’s the most impressive dish you cook?
It would have to be a cowboy cut rib eye. My wife says it’s the best.

What do you collect?
I’m drawn to things that have soul…things that are well designed and crafted. Art, watches, vintage objects.

What’s the most recent addition to your collection?
Three Teppei Kaneuji sculptures and a Kollokium Projekt 01 watch.

What is the most recent thing you regret not buying?
A carpet in Turkey.

What was the first artwork you bought?
I believe it was one of Rodel Tapaya’s early works.

If you could learn a new skill, what would it be?
Playing the piano or learning Japanese.

Do you wear a watch?
Yes.

How many do you own?
A few too many.

What is your most prized possession?
All our family photos stored in the cloud.

What’s the best advice you’ve ever been given?
Listen before you speak.

What’s your favorite hotel?
The Peninsula Tokyo.

What’s always in your hand luggage?
My laptop, noise-cancelling headphones, a book, and a sweater.

If you could go anywhere now, where would you go?
Bhutan or Iceland.

What’s worth paying for?
Adventure motorcycling trips with my friends. Tailored dress shirts from Ascot Chang. Shabu-shabu at Zakuro.

How much do you trust your gut instinct?
About 90 percent.

What car(s) are you most attached to?
My dad’s old SL and my G-Wagon.

Drive or be driven?
Drive.

What’s the last movie you paid to see?
Dune 2.

Last box set or Netflix binge?
Warrior, La Grande Maison-Tokyo, Disclaimer, The Day of the Jackal.

Bowie or Dylan?
Bowie…“Modern Love,” “Let’s Dance,” and “China Girl!”

What song is currently in your head?
“Back on 74” by Jungle.

What kind of music makes you happy?
‘70s Disco, ‘80s New Wave, and ‘90s Pop. The stuff I grew up with.

This originally appeared in Robb Report Philippines’ Car Issue, April 2025.