Heirloom Gallery Founder Shawn Tan On Loving And Letting Go Of Vintage Watches
Founder of Heirloom Gallery Shawn Tan shares his love for vintage watch hunting and his incredibly rare timepieces.
By Brandon Chia - published
“There are things only a crazy collector would do!” exclaims Shawn Tan, founder of Heirloom Gallery, as he reflects on one of his recent finds—a vintage clock featuring a Swiss-made movement and Japanese details inlaid with enamel and mother-of-pearl.
He continues: “I already had one but this was in much better condition and I had to have it. I had never dealt with this guy before but I phoned him, pre-paid 50 percent, flew up to Europe to collect it and hand-carried it back home myself.”
A gilt, enamel and mother-of-pearl Jaeger-LeCoultre Atmos clock from the 1980s, likely made for the Japanese market as the trees, mountains and cloud motifs are reminiscent of a Japanese scroll painting.
While the clock remains in his personal collection, Tan’s store is a representation of his penchant for rare, vintage timepieces, including highly sought after Patek Philippe and Cartier watches that are utterly swoon-worthy.
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Gold and diamond Calibre 101 watch, Jaeger-LeCoultre. Gold and lapis lazuli Gondolo watch, Patek Philippe. Gold Tortue Monopoussoir Collection Privé Cartier Paris, Cartier.
With over 30 years of experience under his watch straps, Tan has garnered international recognition from prestigious maisons such as Louis Vuitton and Jaeger-LeCoultre, who have tapped on his vast knowledge of watches.
“It was very humbling when Jaeger-LeCoultre approached me to do a talk for the third edition of The Collectibles launched in Singapore last year. It took me two weeks to consider it because I was so nervous,” Tan shares.
Tan’s personal anecdotes of his experiences as a collector sourcing from all over the world were undoubtedly eye-opening for the attendees. But it was fellow panellist, Jaeger-LeCoultre heritage director Matthieu Sauret, who was instantly enamoured when he caught sight of one of the watches on Tan’s wrists.
“When I showed everyone the Reverso with the green dragon, Matthieu went ‘Can I take a picture? Can I take a video?’ because he had not seen it in person,” says Tan on the rarity of the timepiece.
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A Jaeger-LeCoultre 1933 Military Reverso watch with an enamel engraving of the Royal Berkshire Regiment (Green Dragon), a famous line infantry regiment of the British Army.
He adds, “The watch world is really very small, because I got it from a collector that Matthieu had worked with for the second edition of The Collectibles. We took a picture together with the watch and sent it to the collector and he replied, ‘I think I should have held on to that longer’.”
Tan’s keen eye and knack for creating meaningful connections have naturally expanded his stash through the years. But as a true collector, his mission is to share the joy and passion for watches with all his clients.
“I wanted to keep everything when I first started Heirloom Gallery but I realised that it wasn’t right. I am now open to letting things go,” Tan explains. “To me, it is not about owning the watch forever, but enjoying it while you have it, until someone else who can enjoy it better comes along.”
Photography: Clement Goh
Creative direction: Daphne Tso
Makeup and hair: Grego using Shiseido and Keune Haircosmetics