More than 2,000 watch enthusiasts flocked through the bronze doors of Gotham Hall in Midtown Manhattan this weekend to attend the annual WatchTime New York collector’s show – the largest attendance for the event in its 8 year history.
Collectors flocked to experience the latest watches from the 36 brand exhibitors, some revealed to the world for the first time live from the show floor. Famous investor, author, television personality and collector Kevin O’Leary also attended the event and described WatchTime New York 2023 as “Spectacular.” SAG Award-winning actor Aldis Hodge (“Black Adam,” “City on a Hill”) was also at the event on Sunday, October 22.
The event kicks off with a sold-out VIP cocktail event on Friday, October 20, offering the first chance to experience the latest timepieces from 36 brand exhibitors and a rare opportunity to Mingle with global brand exhibitors, fellow collectors and style makers while enjoying yourself. custom cocktails and snacks from sponsor WatchTime New York and Fifth Avenue retailer Wempe. Attendees were also treated to a grand reveal by Bell & Ross CEO Carlos Rosillo and Sacha Lakic – who revealed the collaboration between Blacktrack Motors and Blacktrack watches live on the show floor.
Saturday opens with insights from a famous collector – Kevin O’Leary, “Mr. Awesome,” with WatchTime Publisher Sara Orlando and WatchTime Senior Editor Bilal Khan . The famous investor, TV personality, author and watch collector also spent time walking the WatchTime New York show floor, interacting with other watch collectors and trying on watches from 36 watch brands. Top pool under the grand dome of Gotham Hall. O’Leary wore two watches to the event – one on each wrist and one with his signature red watch strap.
When asked what he thought of WatchTime New York, Kevin O’Leary replied: “It’s spectacular,” continuing: “What I appreciate is that it’s a global event. These are brands from all over the world coming together. This is an opportunity for collectors like me to see what’s coming next as well as what’s come before, because some of these brands are showcasing some very rare vintage pieces. So I would never have seen these things unless I was here… I think that’s the importance of this: understanding that this industry has a past as well as a future. Putting them both on the same show is genius.”
This year’s 36 brand exhibitors include Armin Strom, Arnold & Son, Bell & Ross, Blancpain, Bovet, Breguet, Bremont, Carl F. Bucherer, Chopard, Chronoswiss, Cyrus, Czapek, Frederique Constant, G-Shock, Gerald Charles, Glashütte Original, Greubel Forsey, H. Moser & Cie., HYT, Laurent Ferrier, Louis Erard, Massena LAB, MB&F, Moritz Grossmann, Norqain, Oris, Parmigiani Fleurier, Perrelet, Piaget, RGM, Roger Dubuis, Speake- Marin, Ulysse Nardin, Vianney Halter, Voutilainen and Zeitwinkel. Industry executives on-site throughout the weekend included Bell & Ross CEO Carlos Rosillo, Voutilainen’s Kari Voutilainen, Czapek’s Xavier de Roquemaurel, RGM’s Roland Murphy, Oris CEO American VJ Geronimo and Emmanuel Breguet.
Throughout the day Saturday and Sunday, attendees enjoyed free tastings from Wolves Whiskey and Vin Fraîche Wine Group between presentations including “The Return of Dress Watch,” hosted by Jeff Kingston moderated and was joined by Kelly Yoch (Customer Relations Director, Watch of Watch. Switzerland), Michael Hickcox and Ken Koshiyama , (Chopard Haute Horlogerie International Sales Director). Saturday closed with the theme “Aviation and Watches: What Are Pilot Watches Really?”, moderated by Jeff Kingston, and joined by Emmanuel Breguet (Vice President of Patrimony).
The show closed its eighth edition with a final day of workshops and viewing presentations – including “Best Alone, Best Together,” a panel that explores unexpected collaborations between brands. The panel was moderated by WatchTime Editor-in-Chief Roger Ruegger and featured panelists included Pascal Ravessoud (FHH), VJ Geronimo (Oris), Carlos Rosillo (Bell & Ross) and Adam Craniotes (RedBar).
The exhibition ends with a presentation to independent watchmakers: “Independent watchmaking on the mezzanine”. Hosted by Jeff Kingston , the featured presentation featured Kari Voutilainen, Vianney Halter, Moritz Grossmann, Laurent Ferrier, Massena Lab, Cyrus and Zeitwinkel.
Many new and notable watches are on display for the first time on North American soil at WatchTime New York. Watch highlights include – but are not limited to – the Speake-Marin Openworked Sandblasted Titanium and Red Gold, the Arnold & Son Luna Magna Meteorite in red gold, the Bremont Supermarine GMT S302, the 40.5m Czapek Quai des Bergues and the new Gerard Charles’ Maestro 8.0 Squelette . Zeitwinkel also introduced its “MAKS” watch collection to US collectors for the first time.
“The fact that our network of WatchTime collectors continues to return to this show year after year is a testament to the vitality of the U.S. market and the completely unique experience our show offers . We have created a forum that brings together collectors and brands to learn, interact and build connections.”
“We are proud to bring collectors and watchmakers together like never before – uniting the global watch community in the heart of New York City at WatchTime New York.”