Hing Wa Lee Group CEO and chairman David Lee inside Larchmont Jewelers, an authorized dealer of Breitling watches; PHOTO BY HELENE CORNELL
David Lee, CEO and chairman of Hing Wa Lee Jewelers, is a visionary who has transformed his family’s business into a premier name in luxury jewelry. With over three decades of experience, Lee’s passion for expert craftsmanship has earned him a loyal following among high-profile clients. As the Hing Wa Lee Group approaches its 60th anniversary next year, Lee reflects on the brand’s rise to the top of the luxury market.
Initially, Lee was introduced to the jewelry world through his father, who started a gemstone carving factory in 1965. Once he graduated from USC in 1992, Lee officially joined the business. “Due to the bad economy, I told my father that we should change the business model from wholesale manufacturing to retail,” he explained. Lee opened the company’s first retail store, Hing Wa Lee Jewelers, in San Gabriel just a year later.
While he lost his father 13 years ago, Lee keeps up with the new company vision, opening Larchmont Jewelers just this year. “I think it’s really quite a big step for us to come into the mainstream market, and we’re certainly prepared for that,” he states.
A look inside the new Larchmont Jewelers boutique; PHOTO BY HELENE CORNELL
Recently, the group won the jewelry industry’s equivalent of an Oscar: Watchpro’s Independent Watch Retailer of the Year 2024, serving as a testament to the brand’s exceptional standing. Being that the Hing Wa Lee Group is an authorized dealer of 25 different luxury watch brands, including Rolex, Tudor and Breitling—difficult certifications to acquire—this comes as no surprise. “It’s very territorial, right? The brands pick,” he disclosed.
When it comes to curating brands, Lee offers valuable advice to buyers: “Make a relationship with a reputable jeweler who can teach you all the ins and outs and suggest what to buy,” he shares. “Larchmont Jewelers would be happy to be that for you.”
Photography by: HELENE CORNELL
