Cover Heirloom Gallery owner Shawn Tan
Heirloom Gallery owner Shawn Tan
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Shawn Tan gave up his professional career in a Big Four accounting firm to pursue his passion in vintage watches more than 24 years ago and he has not looked back since
Located in a quiet corner of The Riverwalk, an inconspicuous shopping mall by the Singapore River, Heirloom Gallery has been the stomping ground of many watch lovers for the past 24 years. The boutique, which is set up like a mini gallery with numerous vintage timepieces and watch memorabilia on display, is a one‑man operation run by its founder, Shawn Tan. On a typical afternoon, collectors pop in to browse and shop the wide selection of vintage watches, or just to chat with the friendly owner and fellow enthusiasts.
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Above Heirloom Gallery owner Shawn Tan in his boutique
Heirloom Gallery owner Shawn Tan in his boutique
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An accountant by training, Tan held a stable and well‑paying tax consulting job at leading accounting firm PricewaterhouseCoopers until he decided to make a drastic career switch in 1999 and quit, to the shock of many who knew him. While he had long been immersed in the world of watches, this turning point of becoming a business owner was further prompted by the passing of his mother earlier that year. “It made me realise that life is quite fragile and short, and you need to do what you’re happy with,” he recalls. This happiness he sought lay in his true, life‑altering passion for vintage watches, which he pursued by opening Heirloom Gallery in 2000. “Once I made that decision, I never looked back. I thank God every day now that I’m doing something that I like. I’m lucky and blessed with all the love and support from my clients and friends,” says Tan.
His love of timepieces, especially vintage ones, started from a young age and seems predestined. He was born into a family with a penchant for collecting—everything from stamps to currency, vintage cars and more—and his early exposure instilled in him a deep appreciation for objects with history and character. He was gifted watches and wore them since he was a child, but he made his first significant purchase with his own money—his earnings from giving tuition—when he was around 18. His choice: a 1920s Moeris wristwatch with a case design resembling a pocket watch, which he picked up from a dealer at a Chinese New Year street fair in Singapore, who later became a lifelong friend. This purchase marked the beginning of a long‑standing obsession.
Above Some of Tan’s treasured timepieces include a 1940s Cartier chronograph in yellow gold (pictured top) and a 1920s Rolex Art Deco in sterling silver with “exploding” Arabic numerals
Some of Tan’s treasured timepieces include a 1940s Cartier chronograph in yellow gold (pictured top) and a 1920s Rolex Art Deco in sterling silver with “exploding” Arabic numerals
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By the time he started Heirloom Gallery, Tan had accumulated a significant collection of vintage watches and needed to let some of them go. The business started out this way, with Tan selling his own watches, before he eventually also started sourcing for the store, typically from auctions, and through his travels as well as his network of friends and clients. On top of dealing in watches—from vintage to contemporary—Tan helps his clients with repairs. He collaborates with a select group of trusted watchmakers, ensuring that each precious timepiece is handled with the utmost care. His commitment to quality and authenticity has earned him a loyal clientele and a respected position within the watch community.
Today, Tan’s collection is diverse, reflecting his broad taste and deep knowledge. He does not chase trends or succumb to hype; instead, he focuses on what he genuinely loves—the same advice he gives to those who seek it. “After so many years of collecting and dealing with watches, I no longer set any criteria for my next watch, or goals for a grail watch (the term for a highly sought‑after timepiece in the horological community). Because a grail watch is like a moving goalpost; there’ll always be another one and there’s no end to it. Now, I prefer to be surprised,” Tan remarks, adding that he enjoys discovering rare finds during his travels.
As for trends, a recent one Tan noticed is the uptick in popularity of neo‑vintage watches, which started from around the time of the Covid‑19 pandemic until now. “This drove the prices of a lot of contemporary and neo‑vintage watches sky‑high,” he observes. “Now, there’s a price correction, so collectors are again starting to look at vintage watches because the value proportion is better, especially if you’ve chosen well and found something in good condition; the intrinsic value can be a lot more than [that of] new watches.”
This is not to say that Tan does not personally enjoy or deal in neo‑vintage watches. His appreciation for watches is still a largely emotional one, and his evolution as a business owner includes a growing understanding of the market, which results in him curating for his clients’ preferences.
Yet, he still firmly believes in the timeless appeal of true vintage pieces and continues to educate his clients about their intrinsic value. For those new to collecting vintage watches, Tan has a few tried‑and‑tested tips.
First and foremost, with the wealth of information available online, he believes that collectors should always do their homework before buying a watch. “It also helps to ask people in the community and share information,” he says. “Especially now with social media, the more collectors you know, the more knowledge you can learn.”
His next piece of advice is to buy from a reliable source. “Buy from a dealer who’s responsible and responsive, who’s willing to help you be responsible if anything goes wrong,” he asserts.
Lastly, Tan emphasises the importance of the condition, branding and rarity of a vintage watch, which will dictate its value. “Although it’s good to set a budget, I always try to buy the best example I can find. I won’t hesitate to pay a little premium for the right piece in pristine condition, [one that’s also] rare and with notable provenance, as a rare watch in good condition and with good provenance will not only give you the pleasure of ownership, but also almost definitely be a good investment piece, in the event that you wish to sell it.”
Credits
Photography: Frenchescar Lim
Grooming: Angel Gwee using Davines and Nars Cosmetics
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.
