Ali Nael: Entrepreneur Shaping the Global Watch Industry from Singapore

Ali Nael (born January 6, 1981, in Beirut, Lebanon) is an international entrepreneur recognized for his leadership in global energy markets and his growing influence in the luxury watch industry.

Nael began his entrepreneurial journey at the age of 22, establishing his first export business operating between Macao and Guangzhou, China. The company served markets across West Africa and the Middle East, marking the beginning of his cross-border commercial activities.

In 2006, the entrepreneur entered the oil trading sector, opening operations in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, where he managed trade flows for major European and American companies. By 2010, he relocated to Singapore to serve as Managing Director for Asia at one of the Netherlands’ largest independent oil companies. In 2013, he led a management buyout to form AFCO Energy Ltd, expanding it into a medium-sized oil trading enterprise with six international offices.

After more than a decade in the energy sector, Nael shifted his focus to horology, a long-standing personal passion. A watch collector since 2009, he founded 2Tone Vintage Watches and the 2Tone Repair Centre, specializing in the preservation and restoration of rare timepieces. In 2019, he published My Dream Collection, documenting his curated selection of vintage Patek Philippe watches.

In 2022, Nael launched FutureGrail in Singapore, a hybrid platform combining an auction house, museum, and private members’ club dedicated to historically significant watches. The platform later expanded into online auctions and international exhibitions.

Today, Ali Nael continues to position himself as a global entrepreneur bridging strategic business leadership with the art and heritage of watchmaking.