John Mateyko resides in the charming and rustic community of Serenbe in Georgia, which has been featured on the Today Show. This website showcases his creative pursuits and three favorite hobbies: collecting watches, photography, and enjoying nature.
As a passionate community builder, John founded the Serenbe Athletic Association in 2021 and serves as both Commissioner and announcer for the co-ed leagues of Chicago-style Softball and Kickball. His theatrical endeavors through Center Stage at Serenbe have raised over $450,000 for Terra Academy, with productions including "The Trial of Ebenezer Scrooge" (2021), "It's a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play" (2023 and 2025), "Die Hard: Once Upon a Time at Nakatomi Plaza" (2024), and is currently in preproduction for "Mamma Mia."
John's artistic talents extend to film, having served as Christian Bale's stand-in for "Batman Begins" (2005) and "Public Enemies" (2009).
The Beauty of Functional Timepieces
John's watch collection celebrates the understated elegance of practical timepieces. At the core of his collection are the god tier Casio G-Shock, particularly the iconic square-faced models that blend durability with classic design. He appreciates vintage-inspired divers that honor horological heritage while offering modern reliability.
The Seiko family of brands holds a special place in his collection, from accessible everyday Seiko models to the exquisite craftsmanship of Grand Seiko and the artistic refinement of Credor pieces. What truly captures John's imagination are simple, reliable daily wearers—the "do anything, go anywhere" watches that demonstrate versatility without flashiness.
His philosophy on watches is refreshingly contrary to common collector mindsets: "The more boring, the better." This appreciation for subtle design and functional excellence reflects his broader life philosophy—finding beauty in purpose, craftsmanship in simplicity, and joy in reliable companions for life's adventures.
A devoted family man, John proposed to his wife Slavyana in the picturesque backdrop of Neuschwanstein Castle in Germany. Their journey continued with a honeymoon in the breathtaking Amalfi Coast, followed by a baby-moon in Rome and Lake Como. Their son Sasha now spends his summers at the TASIS camp in Lugano, Switzerland.
Through his passion for photography, John captures the beauty of his surroundings, from architectural details to landscape vistas. His love for nature has taken him on adventures around the world, where he has scuba dived in diverse locations like the Philippines, Hawaii, Mexico, Costa Rica, Italy, Portugal, and the Georgia Aquarium's whale shark exhibit. His outdoor exploits include winning the Midwinters San Francisco Bay Race as a crew member on the Beneteau 50 and biking down the Haleakala volcano in Maui.
John's creative outlook and enthusiasm for life are perfectly complemented by the inspiring natural beauty and artistic community of Serenbe.
