The Heart of the Story: Zhihong Zhang

The story of Alvearius LTD begins with our founder, Zhihong Zhang a man whose deep-rooted passion for watches was ignited by his father, Liang Zhang, an unsung hero of the Chinese watch market. Growing up in the bustling city of Guangzhou, Zhihong’s earliest memories are of the mesmerizing tick of mechanical watches and the gleam of polished steel under the soft glow of shop lights.

In the early 1970s, Liang Zhang worked for Rolex, where he honed his knowledge of fine timepieces, learning the delicate balance between tradition and innovation. But as the years went by, Liang’s ambition outgrew the confines of working for someone else. Driven by his passion, he opened his own watch resale shop in China, one of the first of its kind, offering carefully curated pieces to collectors and enthusiasts. This small family business became a foundation for Zhihong’s future, as he grew up immersed in the world of horology, learning not just the mechanics of watches, but the culture, the value, and the deep reverence for the craft.

Zhihong’s childhood was spent in the warmth of his father’s shop, watching customers marvel at the timeless beauty of Swiss-made watches. Here, he learned that watches were not merely tools for telling time, but symbols of achievement, history, and the passage of life itself. These moments left an indelible mark on him, shaping his vision of what a luxury timepiece should be.