Politician Najib Razak spotted wearing a Avantist

During a political rally appearance — identifiable by his blue Barisan Nasional campaign shirt bearing his name — former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak was photographed with a strikingly distinctive timepiece on his wrist: the Avantist Legend Golden Jubilee, a limited run of just 50 pieces produced by the Malaysian independent watchmaker Avantist.

Avantist is a Kuala Lumpur-based microbrand that has quietly carved a niche producing limited, design-forward watches aimed at the local collector market. The Legend Golden Jubilee model features a tonneau-shaped case crafted in brushed and polished titanium — a material choice that keeps the watch light on the wrist despite its bold proportions. The signature architectural bezel, secured with visible hex screws at each corner, gives the case an industrial, tool-watch aesthetic that sits firmly in avant-garde territory. The black dial is the centrepiece: applied hour markers, sword-style hands with lume fill, a prominent red seconds hand, and a stylised teardrop motif at the 9 o'clock position referencing Sabah's state symbol. 'Golden Jubilee Limited Edition' text in gold script across the lower dial registers the commemorative nature of the piece. The watch runs on a reliable Swiss ETA base movement and is presented on a black leather strap with a titanium deployment clasp.

With a production run capped at 50 pieces, the Legend Golden Jubilee occupies a rarefied space among Malaysian-made timepieces. It is not a watch that trades on Swiss prestige or heritage brand recognition — it trades on scarcity, local identity, and craftsmanship. For collectors interested in the emerging Southeast Asian independent watchmaking scene, pieces like this represent genuine documentation of a growing horological culture.

Najib Razak's choice of an Avantist over a Swiss luxury watch at a political event is notable. Whether deliberate or incidental, wearing a domestically produced limited edition carries a clear message of national pride — particularly resonant given the commemorative subject matter of the piece itself.

At a UK list price of approximately £7,800 (roughly $9,800 USD at contemporary exchange rates), the Avantist Legend Golden Jubilee is priced in serious independent watchmaker territory. Grey market activity is essentially non-existent given the micro-production volume, meaning any resale would be private and likely at a premium to list given its 50-piece ceiling.