We attended WatchTime 2017 in New York on October 13-14, perhaps the major us watch show where luxury watch brands present directly to watch collectors. About 30 watch companies had a presence. The floor was filled with collectors, notable experts, watch press, and a smattering of retailers such as us.
As we walked from our hotel to the show, New York was dirty, noisy, smelly, incredibly diverse–and wonderful! What a contrast from the streets of Tokyo where we had been just a week earlier visiting our watch brand Grand Seiko!
The event was held in the neoclassic Gotham Hall on West 36th St and Broadway.
One of our mainstream brands, Longines, had a strong presence.
Speake-Marin was present at the event for the first time this year, exhibiting an impressive double tourbillon and the Crazy Skulls tourbillon minute-repeater shown.
The British brand Graham showed some sassy pieces from their Chronofighter Vintage Nose Art Ltd. collection evoking 1940’s fighter aircraft imagery.
Joe Kirk, the formidable Grand Seiko expert and director of the Grand Seiko Miami Design District Boutique, held forth on his favorite brand at the Grand Seiko booth. There’s always something to be learned from Joe whose passion is infectious and brand knowledge voluminous.
Bremont Watch Company had an extensive display of its collection, including the freshly announced 1918 Limited Edition Chronometers. Founder Nick English was on hand with the rest of the team, with head of PR and Communications, Natalie Keigher, shown interacting with a visitor below.
Three years of Bremont Limited editions, DH-88 Chronographs, left, the Wright Flyer, center, and the three new 1918 Chronographs, right.
The Bremont 18k white gold 1918 LE Chronograph sports a GMT function and a unique day-night indicator showing a scene of WWII fighter planes in action. Just 75 pieces will be made.
The rotor of the Bremont 1918 LE Chronograph incorporates metals from three classic fighter planes and wood from a fourth. The range commemorates the centenary of the British Royal Air Force.
We spent a good deal of the time at the Ateliers deMonaco booth with CEO / chief watch designer Pim Koeslag. On this past Thursday we hosted a dinner with deMonaco in Maryland for a few brand followers, and we were curious to see the reaction of the New York attendees to his new collection.
The deMonaco booth attracted a good amount of attention and the masterpiece of the collection, the Tourbillon – Casino de Monte Carlo stole the show. The dial is comprised of three layers of 18k white gold hand engraved into a detailed representation of the Monte Carlo Casino, an effort that took over 200 hours of labor. This is a unique piece, 1 of 1.
Ronde de Monte-Carlo la Sirene Rubis, 18k white gold with 94 diamonds, sapphires, and rubies. Limited edition of 8 pieces
Admiral Flyback Armure Chronograph. Highly polished hardened stainless steel case with sapphire dial.
After the show closed we stopped by the Monarch Rooftop Bar on 35th Street for drinks hosted by Graham Watch Company with the RedBar Crew. We were happy to catch up with RedBar leadership Adam Craniotes and Kathleen McGivney and with one of my photographer idols, Atom Moore, with AnalogShift. It was a beautiful setting with a stunning view of the Empire State Building and as good an evening as you could wish for to wrap up an horological weekend in New York.
