Check out this etiquette consultant’s vintage watch collection with the rarest timepieces

Grace and elegance are what etiquette consultant Astrie Sunindar-Ratner strive for, be it in fashion, watches or jewellery, and her closet is a testament to that. Her rainbow curation of goodies from the houses of Dior, Chanel, Valentino and more blend seamlessly with an equally vivid collection of Pomellato Nudo rings and vintage watches ranging from Rolex, Patek Philippe, Audemars Piguet and more that are intertwined with what she values most—family.

What is the most sentimental piece in your collection?

I’ve got quite a few from my parents but my pearl earrings and necklace are my favourites. They mean a lot to me because it was a gift from my father to my mother when I think they just started dating or just got married. It was very meaningful for my mum and she gave the whole set to me when my father passed away so I always feel like I have him close to me.

Pearls are timeless but there are some etiquette rules when it comes to them, could you share more about these?

Pearls are a great coming-of-age gift, however it is important to get the right pearl size. For teens, keep it under 6mm and for young women, go for the classic size of 8mm. Anything above 9mm is considered luxury pearls, especially Akoya, Tahitian or South Sea pearls, which can be worn by ladies [aged] 30 and above.

You certainly have a penchant for colours and gems. Tell us more about the most special pieces you have collected over the years.

These rings are from Pomellato, they’re beautiful; they look like candy jewels. My mother introduced me to them years ago and I fell in love with the whole collection, I think the whole collection is fabulous. But the rings are very special because you can stack them in different colour combinations—I believe a watch or a piece of jewellery should complement, not distract.

They have to go with your style and I’ve got one that I absolutely love. It is a limited edition Rose de France amethyst Nudo ring, which I got when I was in Tokyo and I was pregnant with my daughter at that time. It’s wonderful to give yourself a gift to celebrate milestones in your life and I feel very blessed to have this one.

Currently, I love dainty watches with colourful dials. I’m always so drawn to rainbows, my kids and husband call me “Rainbow Lover”. It would be wonderful to have a collection of dainty watches in different colours to create my very own rainbow.

Which piece was the hardest to acquire?

My Eton blue dial Rolex Datejust. It’s a rare dial colour that I had been looking for for quite some time. It was impossible to locate and one day I walked into a Bucherer store in Switzerland; they had just launched their pre-owned programme and this watch just happened to be there. It was meant to be.

This colour represents the colour codes of my son’s school. It means the world to me because it reminds me of his accomplishment in getting into his dream school and when I wear it, I am reminded of just how wonderful he is.

You inherited a few special timepieces from your father as well, tell us a little more about them.

I inherited a Patek Philippe Calatrava; a classic and timeless piece that I can wear daily, a ‘Collection Privé Cartier Paris’ Cartier Tonneau Dual Time and a Piaget Protocol with a jade dial. These watches are more than just timepieces to me; they’re cherished memories wrapped around my wrist.

Both were my late father’s, and he was quite the watch collector with a penchant for the exquisite. He was ahead of his time—a visionary with impeccable taste. Whenever I wear them, I feel connected to him. It’s like having a piece of him with me always, a constant reminder of his elegance and love.

Why do you gravitate to vintage watches and jewellery?

There’s an enchanting allure to vintage jewellery and watches that simply captivates me. The craftsmanship is exquisite, often unparalleled by modern standards thanks to the efforts of dedicated artisans who are harder to come by these days and each piece tells a unique story of the era it hails from.

For me, nothing I own is truly mine forever. I see myself as a caretaker of these beautiful treasures, preserving them until it’s time to pass them on. My mother instilled this in me, passing down several precious pieces that carry her essence and stories.

There’s something profoundly touching about leaving a legacy, about knowing that these pieces will live on, carrying our family’s history, love and memories. It’s not just about the material value, but the emotional and historical weight they carry. I am the first to recognise how connected wearing a family heirloom can make one feel and I want my children to feel that same sense of connection, to understand that they are part of something bigger, something enduring.

What’s on your wish list?

I saw a minute repeater recently and it took my breath away. It was the smallest and most beautiful minute repeater Carillon by Audemars Piguet and, of course, a vintage one!

Do you have any advice for budding collectors?

Make sure you are buying because you truly love it, not because you are following a trend. Every piece you own in your collection should bring you joy in years to come.

Photographer: Lawrence Teo
Creative Direction: Daphne Tso
Content Producer: Brandon Chia
Production Assistant: Larissa Wong

This article was originally published in Harper’s Bazaar Singapore.