Cover Irwin Lo shares the stories behind the watches from his dad
Irwin Lo shares the stories behind the watches from his dad
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In fact, one of them sparked Lo’s prolific watch-collecting journey
Lawyer Irwin Lo, 44, arrives at this photoshoot in his work uniform: a classic black suit paired with a crisp white shirt—and on his wrist, a Rolex Datejust nicknamed the Rolex Wimbledon with a slate grey dial and green Roman numerals—the colours subtly paying homage to Wimbledon, of which Rolex is the official timekeeper. “Roger Federer wore this when he went on the podium to receive his trophy after winning Wimbledon (in 2017),” explains Lo, displaying the smart-looking watch that is just at home in the courtroom as it is on the centre court.
He has brought along two other Rolexes—both gifts from his father. One of them, a Datejust with a gold tapisserie dial, was a surprise present at his wedding; surprise because Lo had never shown any interest in watches. “I exclaimed, ‘What is a Rolex?’,” he laughs. “I mean, I knew about Rolex, but I didn’t know about its value then. It was my first ‘grown-up’ watch and the one that got me interested in watches.”
Read more: Watches and Wonders 2025: 3 highlights from Rolex apart from the Land-Dweller
Above These Rolex Datejust timepieces were gifts from Irwin Lo’s father
These Rolex Datejust timepieces were gifts from Irwin Lo’s father
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When Lo asks his father why he got him the watch, the elder Lo replies, “Ever since I got married, I have always thought about giving my children the best of everything, especially education. Handphones weren’t a thing back then but everyone needed a watch. It is my hope that whenever you put on the watch, you will remember me when I’m no longer around. Even though you can have better watches now, dad hopes you will continue to keep and pass them down to my grandchildren.”
The watch was purchased years before Lo’s marriage, and was always intended to be his wedding gift. “I wasn’t aware of this until the day of my wedding,” Lo confesses.
Lo thinks that his dad believed that owning a Rolex meant you were successful, and he wanted that for his children. “To be honest, the idea of owning a watch and passing it down to the next generation was new to me at that time.”
Intrigued, he began exploring the world of watches—a fascination that grew into a full-blown passion. As he grew his collection, it was time for him to gift his father a watch. Knowing he had always wanted a Submariner, he gave him one for Christmas. “He loved it so much that he gave me the watch he was wearing,” Lo laughs.
Also a Datejust, it was the watch that Lo remembers seeing his father wear every day when he was growing up. “That’s why it looks pretty beat up,” he says. “I had thought about sending it for polishing but I kind of like the patina as it is.’
See also: What 2 watch collectors took away from Watches and Wonders 2025
Above Roger Federer winning his eighth Wimbledon title, with the Rolex Datejust with the “Wimbledon” dial on his wrist (Photo: Getty Images)
Roger Federer winning his eighth Wimbledon title, with the Rolex Datejust with the “Wimbledon” dial on his wrist (Photo: Getty Images)
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Lo keeps these watches in the safe, bringing them out only for special occasions. “It’s an honour to have these watches. I have many watches now, but wearing these feels different—they carry sentimental value. Each time I put one on, I’m reminded of the good old days, and it makes me appreciate my dad even more.”
More importantly, they serve as a reminder of his father’s principles of thrift and generosity. “He lived simply and saved diligently. But he was generous to those around him. I remember a time when he was going to treat us to a nice meal outside. On the way, someone asked him for extra cash as he was not doing well. My dad took out his wallet and gave him all the money he had. Then he turned around and said to me that we were going home. I asked him why he gave the man the money, and he just said he needed it more than we did.”
Now that he has children of his own, he says that these watches will go to them one day. “No one has called dibs yet! But I think they are more interested in the modern watches,” he smiles.
Read more: Thai actor Mile Phakphum shares five of his favourite vintage watches in his collection
![Irwin Lo: “[Rolex] was my first grown-up watch and the one that got me interested in watches.”](https://cdn.tatlerasia.com/tatlerasia/i/2025/06/12141605-fox-6342_500x750.jpg)
Above Irwin Lo: “[Rolex] was my first grown-up watch and the one that got me interested in watches.”
Irwin Lo: “[Rolex] was my first grown-up watch and the one that got me interested in watches.”
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A watch is the perfect generational object as they are built to last. ”Plus, they can always be restored. As men, we love mechanical stuff. It’s interesting to me that a watch is one of the few mechanical objects designed to be worn on the body.”
He recalls a quote by William Faulkner he once heard in an episode of The Walking Dead, which originally appeared in Faulkner’s novel The Sound and the Fury—spoken as a father passes down a watch to his son. To paraphrase, “I give you the mausoleum of all hope and desire; I give it to you not that you may remember time, but that you might forget it now and then for a moment and not spend all your breath trying to conquer it."
Faulkner’s quote suggests that the timepiece is not merely for measuring time, but a reminder not to be ruled by it. “I think it’s so poetic,” Lo says. “It also reminds me of my dad, not only because he gave me his watch, but also because of how calm he is when faced with adversity.”
It is clear that the watches Lo cherishes most aren’t defined by collectibility or complications, but by memory. In them, he sees his dad’s values passed down through the steady tick of time. Lo’s story offers something personal and enduring: that a watch isn’t just about keeping time—it’s about carrying it forward.
Credits
Photography: Fady Younis
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Brian Cheong leads the watch (Tatler GMT) and jewellery content at Tatler Malaysia, combining sharp editorial insight with years of luxury lifestyle experience. A seasoned journalist in luxury watches based in Kuala Lumpur, Brian had previously helmed World of Watches, Men's Folio and Prestige Malaysia.
