The recently concluded Watches and Wonders Geneva event, which drew 43,000 visitors, almost double its 2022 attendance, reaffirmed the resurgence of the watch fair. Despite doubts about the value of such expensive events even prior to the pandemic, opinions have shifted, and the rest of the 2023 calendar is filled with notable events like Singapore Watch Week, Geneva Watch Days, and the Salón Internacional Alta Relojería in Mexico City.
Organizers of WatchTime New York, set to take place on October 20-22 at Gotham Hall, anticipate an even larger turnout this year, building upon last year’s total of 2,000 attendees as the event continues to cater to watch enthusiasts. Sara Orlando, the publisher of WatchTime, emphasizes that unlike attending major watch fairs like Watches and Wonders, WatchTime New York provides an opportunity for the general public to interact with brand presidents and executives behind the booths.
According to Marc André Deschoux, founder of Watches TV and Horopedia, small watch fairs offer a unique experience by allowing attendees to directly engage with watch creators, creating a personal connection between customers and watchmakers. Last year’s fair featured 32 exhibitors, ranging from well-known brands like Breguet and Seiko to popular independent watchmakers such as Greubel Forsey and Kari Voutilainen.
Parmigiani Fleurier joined the lineup in 2022, emphasizing the importance of the North American market. Guido Terreni, CEO of Parmigiani Fleurier, acknowledged WatchTime New York’s growing credibility and its significance for collectors.
Sara Orlando highlights the quality information provided at the fair, ensuring that panel topics cater to attendees of all levels of expertise. Whether seasoned collectors or recent watch enthusiasts, visitors will find engaging and easily understandable information.
Having transitioned from the home furnishings industry to the watch industry, Sara Orlando understands the initial intimidation that can come with watches. She recalls her first experience at Baselworld in 2009, where the grandiose booths of brands like Rolex and Swatch left her in awe. With the guidance of industry mentor Joe Thompson, she quickly became acclimated and established a sense of belonging. WatchTime started organizing public events in 2006, initially with a traveling road show across the United States, before launching WatchTime New York.
Choosing New York as the host city was strategic, as it offers access to the European market. WatchTime New York aims to attract European collectors and independent brands to the city. Michael Hickcox, an American watch collector living in London, considers attending WatchTime New York as important as European watch shows, praising the event for featuring great brands and independent watchmakers that often cannot be found in stores. He also acknowledges the networking opportunities and wealth of knowledge shared among fellow collectors.
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