Interview: Inside Watch Collector Tintin Nilsson’s Diverse Collection

Swedish-Thai watch collector TinTin Nilsson opens up about his pricey passion, hot takes, and the timepieces that make him tick.

For Tintin Nilsson, who works in luxury manufacturing, an appreciation for the finer things comes naturally. Being immersed in artisanal craft during the day fuels his obsession with horology after hours. That said, the Bangkok-based collector has had his eye on high-end watches since he was a teenager.

His earliest obsessions? Those vintage Omega Speedmasters. What started as a spark of interest grew into a flame that sent him on his collecting journey. One event in particular, the Speedy Tuesday gathering in Tokyo in 2023, defined this trajectory. Being in a room filled with those who cared deeply about the history, the mechanics, and the smallest details about a watch completely cemented his passion for the craft.

HOW MANY WATCHES DO YOU HAVE IN YOUR COLLECTION AT THE MOMENT?

Right now, I keep it around 15. I try to follow a loose “one in, two out” rule, mostly to keep myself disciplined, but also to ensure every piece gets wrist time rather than gathering dust in a safe. As for the total spend, I avoid calculating the exact number for my own sanity. While most people are out here working toward generational wealth, I always joke that watch collecting is a remarkably effective way to build generational debt.

WHAT’S THE PRICIEST PURCHASE YOU’VE EVER MADE?

I have never judged a watch by its price tag; some of the pieces that bring me the most joy were remarkably accessible, while others were definitely larger leaps of faith. What genuinely hooks me is the philosophy behind the design. One piece that completely captivated me recently, and became a memorable acquisition in Tokyo, is the vintage Audemars Piguet Philosophique.

Audemars Piguet paid tribute to the original 1982 model with the Millenary Philosophique in 2019, which reaffirmed just how ahead of its time it was. The entire concept of a single-hand watch is poetic: it invites you to stop stressing over individual minutes and embrace a more relaxed, deliberate relationship with time. It was one of the earliest designs to introduce that mindset to modern watchmaking.

WHAT ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT ASPECTS YOU LOOK FOR IN A WATCH?

Complications over clout, every time. I don’t pay much mind to mainstream hype or waitlist culture; instead, my eye is drawn to neo-vintage references, unconventional case geometry, traditional métier d’art, and mechanical ingenuity. Watchmaking is miniature architecture and kinetic art. I would much rather be fascinated by the mechanics or dial craft of an obscure piece than wear an instantly recognisable logo just for brand recognition.

YOU TRAVEL QUITE A LOT FOR WATCH EVENTS AND TRADE FAIRS. WHAT HAS BEEN THE MOST MEMORABLE EXPERIENCE TO YOU AND WHY?

Without question, the friendships. The watches might be the common thread that brings us to the same city or exhibition floor, but the real value is the community. Sitting down over dinner, talking late into the night, and sharing perspectives with fellow collectors from all over the world turns this hobby into an extended global family. Long after the fairs end, it is those relationships that stick with you, far more than the metal on our wrists.

WHAT’S THE ONE WATCH OR BRAND THAT MORE PEOPLE NEED TO PAY ATTENTION TO?

Independent watchmakers and artisanal microbrands such as Nghia at Oan.Gio, ZLTD, and Ondřej Berkus (Hodinky Berkus). Instead of playing it safe with cookie-cutter designs, these makers are approaching métier d’art and movement architecture from a purely personal, boundary-pushing angle. That raw passion and originality are where the most exciting energy in horology lives today.

WHAT’S IN TINTIN’S WATCH CASE? ...