Cover Tom Chng at the custom watchmaker’s bench in his study
Tom Chng at the custom watchmaker’s bench in his study
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The founder of the Singapore Watch Club invites Tatler GMT into his home and his mind—where horology is about not just craftsmanship, but also connection, conviction and community
Step into the home of Tom Chng, best known as the founder of the Singapore Watch Club (SWC), and it is immediately clear that the chic, warmly personal space is a reflection of the man who lives in it—precise, thoughtful and deeply passionate about horology. Horological memorabilia fill every corner of the apartment where he lives with his wife, photographer Hosanna Swee, and their two cats named Tiggy and Marie (it also often doubles as a creative studio where the couple shoot content for brands they work with).
It is Chng’s study, though, that reflects just how fervent that love of all things horology is. Within this cosy enclave sits a large bookcase brimming with watchmaking tomes and collectibles, including a black Audemars Piguet basketball signed by four‑time NBA champion LeBron James. On the floor lies a custom rug designed after one of Chng’s favourite movements, the Valjoux 23 VZ. The historic and highly adaptable calibre was used for Audemars Piguet’s time-only watches during the 1930s to 1959 and also served as the foundation for some of the most important complicated watches of the 20th century. Nearby, a fully equipped custom watchmaker’s bench complete with all the necessary tools for tinkering with timepieces hints at how hands‑on he is with the craft.
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Above Tom Chng at the custom watchmaker’s bench in his study
Tom Chng at the custom watchmaker’s bench in his study
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Watches, for Chng, have always been more than just tools for telling time. What began as boyhood curiosity about timepieces evolved into a lifelong pursuit of not just horology, but also emotion and significance. “My fascination wasn’t just with the mechanics,” he says. “It was the emotional weight that watches can carry—as heirlooms, symbols of achievement and personal milestones.”
His first serious watch was a Rolex Oyster Perpetual Date in steel produced in 2000, which he purchased in 2012. Though he initially had his eye on a watch from a different brand, his understanding of watchmaking shifted as he learnt more about vintage timepieces. “I was exposed to the fact that older watches are generally more affordable than new ones,” he explains. “And once a watch hits a certain age, it starts to become more interesting—there’s a transition from simply being old to being collectible.” That Rolex marked both the start of his collection and a turning point in his perspective.
Today, Chng’s collection is a thoughtful assembly of unique pieces, small production runs and SWC collaborations. “In the early days [of my passion], I was chasing icons like the Panerai Luminor, the Jaeger‑LeCoultre Reverso, the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak and the Omega Speedmaster,” he recalls. “Over time, the pursuit became more introspective. I now find myself valuing restraint and nuance more than flash and status.” His priorities have shifted towards exceptional mechanics, exquisite handcraft and thoughtful design—where rarity is a bonus, not the goal.
Above Some standouts in watch enthusiast Tom Chng’s collection include (pictured from top) a Cartier Crash in white gold with a silver‑toned dial, an A Lange & Söhne Zeitwerk in yellow gold with a champagne‑hued dial, and an Audemars Piguet openworked Grande et Petite Sonnerie in yellow gold
Some standouts in watch enthusiast Tom Chng’s collection include (pictured from top) a Cartier Crash in white gold with a silver‑toned dial, an A Lange & Söhne Zeitwerk in yellow gold with a champagne‑hued dial, and an Audemars Piguet openworked Grande et Petite Sonnerie in yellow gold
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Among Chng’s most prized pieces is an openworked Grande Sonnerie by Audemars Piguet—one of only two yellow gold versions ever made. In watchmaking, a grande sonnerie is one of the most complex and revered complications. It chimes the hours and quarter hours, much like a miniature clock tower for the wrist. “To me, the Grande Sonnerie brings the story of timekeeping full circle. It evolved from the great bell towers that marked time for entire communities and has now been distilled into something you can wear,” Chng explains.
Another standout is his first‑series A Lange & Söhne Zeitwerk in yellow gold with a champagne‑hued dial, which Chng describes as “the most legible and unambiguous timepiece” that is also “exceptionally reliable and user‑friendly for how complex the mechanism is”. Surprisingly, he highlights, too, his Cartier Crash—an expressive, design‑forward outlier in his mechanically driven collection. “For someone who’s usually focused on mechanics and complications, I never thought I could love a design‑focused watch this much,” he admits. “It’s probably the most stylish watch I own.” Nodding to it is a commissioned rug by London artist Sam Lepard, fashioned after its case and face, and hanging in a hallway.
Beyond collecting, Chng’s involvement in the watch world runs deep. He is also a gallery manager for Pygmalion Gallery, which is home to one of the most extensive collections of vintage Audemars Piguet timepieces in the world. “I use the collection to explore historical and engineering perspectives, often as a gateway to broader discussions on aesthetics and collecting philosophy,” Chng says. As a long‑time admirer of vintage Audemars Piguet pieces and the watchmaking heritage of Vallée de Joux, where the brand is from, this role, he shares, is “a dream come true.”
This same emphasis on sincerity, community and collecting with purpose also guides the SWC. Founded nearly a decade ago to foster a passionate, humble watch community, the club hosts a mix of get-togethers, masterclasses, brand dialogues and culturally rooted experiences. A recent memorable event was a climb up Singapore’s Victoria Clock Tower on Empress Place, which included a tour of its five bells that have been sounding the Westminster chime since 1905.His time with the SWC has also shaped his approach to collecting. “Being surrounded by such a wide range of collectors, each with their own tastes, stories and philosophies, has expanded my appreciation,” he says. “It has helped me become more open‑minded. You begin to see value in perspectives and pieces you might have otherwise overlooked.”
Ultimately for Chng, collecting is about meaning. “It’s about a connection to history, to people and to moments in time,” he stresses. “Watches are vessels for memory and emotion. They’re not just objects to own; they’re stories you carry on your wrist.
Credits
Photography: Darren Gabriel Leow
Grooming: Angel Gwee using Davines and Chanel Beauty
Topics
Annabel Tan is the Editor of Watches and Jewellery at Tatler Singapore, where she covers all things luxury timepieces and fine jewellery across both print and digital platforms. She is also the Editor of Tatler GMT Singapore, a role that deepens her fascination with the ever-evolving world of watchmaking. Outside of work, she’s usually on the hunt for her next favourite watch that she can’t afford, planning her next beach getaway, or catching up on the latest Formula 1 race.
