Cover The Aivee Group CEO Dr Z Teo; Rolex Datejust 41 with diamonds (Photos: Wesley Villarica)
The Aivee Group CEO Dr Z Teo; Rolex Datejust 41 with diamonds (Photos: Wesley Villarica)
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The Aivee Group CEO Dr Z Teo sat down with Tatler GMT to share the milestones and memories behind his collection of timepieces
A watch, for some, is just an accessory—but for Dr Z Teo, it’s a reminder of life’s most meaningful events. “I always told myself that for every milestone, I’ll buy myself a watch—so there’s a memory attached to it,” the aesthetic doctor and entrepreneur says. “It’s a symbol of a particular stage in my life.”
Teo's journey into collecting began when he was growing up in Singapore, with his father’s passion for timepieces serving as an instrumental influence. Today, his collection is as much about aesthetics as it is about sentiment, with each piece taking him back to monumental moments in his life—achievements and memories worth preserving. From his first watch, a blue G-Shock earned after acing a school exam, to his current favourite, a diamond-studded Rolex Datejust 41, Teo doesn’t view watches as investments, but as extensions of his identity.
Veering away from the sentimentality wrapped around his collection, Teo also views a watch as an aspirational tool. “It’s something to inspire you in pushing yourself farther and rewarding yourself with every success,” he adds.
In this interview, The Aivee Group CEO shares more about his collection—from his most memorable timepiece to his favourite destinations for watch shopping and more.
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Above Teo's personal collection includes: Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Chronograph, Rolex Datejust 41 in Mother of Pearl with diamond dial, Rolex Yachtmaster II in yellow gold, Patek Philippe Calatrava, and Roger Dubuis Easy Diver Spider
Teo's personal collection includes: Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Chronograph, Rolex Datejust 41 in Mother of Pearl with diamond dial, Rolex Yachtmaster II in yellow gold, Patek Philippe Calatrava, and Roger Dubuis Easy Diver Spider
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How would you describe your present collection of watches?
I’m not someone who goes after specific brands. I’m very aesthetic-driven—so if I like the watch, it doesn’t matter what brand it is. I want it because it’s an extension of me. This is my personality.
I don’t like small watch faces, so most of mine are a bit big. Recently, I’ve started liking it a little bit more colourful—green straps, a bit of diamonds, just a little bit of bling. Maybe it’s my way of expressing myself. At work, I may be wearing a scrub suit, which can be a bit bland, so I use the watch as an accessory.
Every single one of them has its place in my memory. I bought them in different places, different countries, at different times. They were gifts from my father, my wife. But of course, you keep on evolving again according to your needs. Throughout the past couple of years, there were a lot more events that I had to attend, so you have to have more dress watches.
There was a time when I was very sporty. I’d go out into the sea, do yachting and fishing with an Omega. And then after that, I moved on towards events and business meetings. So, it changed again.
Can you share any memorable story in your personal journey as a collector?
The Patek Philippe that was given to me by my dad—I still remember very clearly when he passed it down to me. It was my first dress watch. I always remember it because, if you notice in my collection, it’s the smallest one. It’s quite different from my usual taste; the rest of mine are all big. But he gave that to me and said, “You are now entering manhood. This is for you.”
I keep it with a lot of fondness, and I plan to pass it down to my kids as well—my eldest son, Ken-Z, when he graduates from medical school. It’s a nice memory, with deep sentiment and emotional value attached to it.
Above Teo chooses his everyday watch based on his outfit
Teo chooses his everyday watch based on his outfit
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Do you have a favourite among your watches so far?
My current favourite is the Rolex Datejust 41 with diamonds. It’s very light, and I like how you can pair it with anything. It has a bit of a vintage look, but at the same time, the diamonds add a touch of edginess. This is my favourite right now, but it changes all
the time.
Is your favourite also your everyday timepiece?
I change my watch to match my outfits. I just play around with it.
How do you think watches express one’s individuality?
It’s a form of expression, for sure. There are so many different designs, and there are so many stories behind each watch. So it shows what sort of personality you have—[whether that’s] a little flamboyant, a bit more introverted, a bit more conservative.
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Above Teo's Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Chronograph
Above Teo's Rolex Datejust 41 in Mother of Pearl with diamond dial
Teo's Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Chronograph
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What advice would you give to a novice watch enthusiast looking to get into collecting?
My advice would probably be to find someone you respect, and just talk to them and ask which watch they think is good for you, or which watch is nice to have. That’s what I did—I just spoke to a few people who are a bit more advanced with their watch collections. They can point you to different brands. Then do your own research, and see which one you connect with. I think that’s the most important thing—you connect with something that you will always want to wear. It has to suit your personality.
Do you have a favourite destination for watch shopping?
Tokyo. It’s the best. You walk down the street—you can get new, you can get pre-loved. There are so many options. And the ones that are secondhand—they look new. Japan is amazing. I bought a few of them from there. The second place I like to buy is in Singapore, because my clinic is just upstairs, and then downstairs, all the shops are there—so I just go down and walk around.
“It’s something to inspire you in pushing yourself farther and rewarding yourself with every success”
Do you have any tips or routines for maintaining your watches?
I’m bad at that. But get a good winder. Every so often, bring it back to your provider to change the strap and to get it cleaned. It’s just like all mechanical things—you have to maintain it. So once a year, I bring it back to the shop, ask them to do a deep clean, change the strap and make sure everything is done, so they clean the surfaces as well.
Are there any watches on your wish list that you hope to add to your collection soon?
Probably another Audemars Piguet. I like that gold AP, so it’s definitely something to look forward to.
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Credits
Photography: Wesley Villarica
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A journalism graduate, Jessica never stops learning and honing her craft. She began her career as a Global Content Editor for a travel company, inspiring readers and travellers to explore the world. Currently, she writes on topics ranging from entertainment, health, sports and travel to in-depth stories about influential and impactful personalities.
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