JSFiddle - React, Tailwind, and code Playground

HTML

<div ng-app="test" ng-controller="TestCtrl">
    <select ng-model="selected" ng-options="i for i in data" enhanced></select>
</div>

JavaScript

var t = angular.module("test", []);

t.controller("TestCtrl", function ($scope) {
    $scope.data = [
        "One",
        "Two",
        "Three"
    ];
    $scope.selected = $scope.data[0];
});

t.directive("enhanced", function () {
    return function ($scope, $element) {
        $scope.$watch('selected', function () {
            console.log($element.find("option").length); // Always 0
        });
    };
});