Time Keepers: The Men Who Appreciate The Timeless Spirit of Watches

THE ADMIRER

Dato’ Sri Jackie Tor, CEO of Bio-Lubricant International Sdn Bhd

It is said passionate people always find beauty in everything and such seems to be the case with Dato’ Sri Jackie Tor. An avid collector of fountain pens seven years ago, little did he know that, when a friend brought him along to a watch boutique, he would fall hook, line and sinker for the timekeeping instruments. “When this friend of mine introduced me to the rarefied world of timepieces, I was immediately drawn in. I was fascinated how each watch had a distinct character that seemed to tell a story. I wanted to know everything about watchmakers and, since then, I have been collecting them slowly but steadily.”

As a result of this slow burning passion, he now has about 27 timepieces in his collection that includes pieces from Corum, Zenith and Hautlence, amongst others. He waves at his collection as he enthusiastically recalls the tales behind each timepiece. “My fist significant piece was a TAG Heuer, which I bought in my younger days, followed by a Rolex. I love my watches, but there’s this Louis Vuitton watch that is my absolute favourite.” The watch he’s referring to is a gorgeous ebony Tambour with a GMT function. “My wife gave it to me as a birthday present a few years back and had to wait about a year for it to arrive after placing an order.” Gazing at the watch, he exclaims: “I really like it! The dial is unique and has a complexity that somehow reminds me of the old displays at the airport.”

Looking at the exquisite watches in his collection, it’s clear that Dato’ Sri Jackie has a watch for every occasion. “I believe that a wristwatch is a powerful tool that not only provides the wearer with the ability to tell time, but also subtly reveals a person’s sense of style. Of all the accessories available to men, none has a more profound impact than a watch – from the dial to the straps, the functions and the colour, all make a statement about who you are and what’s important to you.”

“Owning a timepiece is way to express appreciation for their history, refinement and craftsmanship,” he astutely states. “To me, a watch collection is a legacy. It doesn’t necessarily have to be worth a fortune, but leaving your watches to someone you care is, in essence, passing on values important to you to someone else.”