Old World Charm

37 year old Tariq Malik is the owner of momentum — a store that stocks vintage watches in DIFC

Born and brought up in Germany, Tariq Malik is originally from Pakistan, and has been a lover of arm candy since his younger years. He collected Swatch pieces in the 90s, but started appreciating one-of-a-kind vintage pieces, growing up.

While visiting his childhood friend in Dubai, Malik would hunt for vintage pieces, and found that while Dubai may have the largest selection of brands with the latest ‘it’ watches available for sale, there was absolutely no one catering to those who liked a little luxurious piece of history, and that is how he moved to Dubai in 2011, and set up Momentum along with his friend Anas Halabi here.

When we asked him where he sources these pieces from, he tells us that they not only does he have a network of collectors from Europe, but also a team in Germany which actively looks for pieces at auctions, vintage dealers, collectors and watch-lovers. Given how vintage is such a huge trend right now — 
everyone wants to own something unique that wouldn’t be seen on someone else — people in Dubai are willing to go that extra mile to own something out of the ordinary, with many coming to him with their pieces, and trading them for ones at his store. “Of course we need to check authenticity, and value it, and that is a very important part of our business,” Malik says.

Malik takes that extra effort to add something bright to his outfit every day by way of either a pocket square, scarf or belt; he also ensures his belt and shoes coordinate before he steps out. He believes that everyone should develop their own unique style, instead of just emulating someone else’s blindly. Malik doesn’t particularly enjoy shopping in Dubai (with all the mall madness, we don’t blame him), but loves Hugo Boss in Germany and London. He is quick to clarify that it isn’t the high end brands he is after, but one-of-a-kind pieces, and also admits to have picked up some very interesting stuff at vintage stores and flea markets — other than watches that is. Every piece he owns has a bit of a story behind it, and one his favourites is a blue velvet dinner jacket he’s had for 20 years, and still wears. He doesn’t particularly chase trends, and thinks everyone should wear what they want to, irrespective of what’s hot at the moment.

1-Malik’s favourite cufflinks — the ones on the left and centre were made from Swiss vintage watches for his store, and the ones on the right were picked up from a flea market in Dubai

2-A few of his scarves — the blue dotted Hugo Boss; blue-and-white striped, Reiss; black and white, gifted; multi-hued scarf, from Pakistan

3-A few watches from his collection

4-Neckties he wears often: (from left) a Cerruti, a gift from his dad, a vintage Hermes picked up from a flea market in London, a Hermes picked up from a flea market in Dubai, a vintage Tommy Hilfiger from the 90s, and a tie he has ‘borrowed’ from his dad

5-Bowties he loves — (from left): Brooks Brothers in London; second and third, gifts from New York; and Hugo Boss

6-His collection of pocket squares placed over a YSL document bag from the 1970s bought at a Dubai flea market for Dh15.