Did you miss BaselWorld this year? Can’t quite swing the Hong Kong Clock and Watch Fair? Never fear, because there are several awesome watch events coming up in the US and Europe, including the one organized by your favorite Bum and his pal Bill McDowell. Read on…
District Time
If you are only attending one watch show this year, attend District Time Sponsored by NTH Watches on October 12-13, at the District Architecture Center, 421 7th Street, NW, Washington, DC. Why? Because it’s the one I host with McDowell Time, that’s why!
This is our fourth annual DC watch event and we will have over 50 brands represented at the show, including Aquadive, AVeritas, Collins, Tsao Baltimore, Ardor & Forge, Attra, Bausele, FTS, EMG, Gavox, Havaan Tuvali, Hager, Lesablier, Nodus, Ocean Crawler, Origin, Roebuck, Sakab, Siduna, Sartory-Billard, Raketa, Minase, LIC, Isofrane, Traska, and Vortic. DC Vintage Watches will have a wide selection of classic pieces from the 1960s-80s for sale. Maryland favorite Little Treasury Jewelers will bring selections for sale from Ball, Bremont, Origin, Zodiac, Alexander Shorokhoff, and the Seiko Prospex, Presage, and Grand Seiko lines. Watch Gauge will have Balticus, BOLDR, Direnzo, Gruppo Gamma, G-Shock, Martenero, and Straton. See DCWatchShow.com for the full listing.
In addition, we’ve got some remarkable giveaways on both days, watchmaking classes by HSNY (register fast as there are only a handful of spots left) and if you are an aspiring watch brand owner, you should check out the Microbrand University seminar on October 10-11.
The other shows are perfectly wonderful, but District Time is a shining beacon of wristwatch majesty fastened with a unicorn hide strap. You know, in my totally unbiased opinion.
MicroLUX Chicago
Fresh off their first event in Los Angeles this past April, the fellows from Whats On The Wrist are ready with their second show, MicroLUX Chicago at Artspace 8, 900 North Michigan Avenue. On October 18-19, they will host 35 boutique brands including Perrelet, Tockr, G-Shock, Vertex, ABT, and Vostock Europe. Attendees may also sign up for the $1,245 AWCI Build a Watch class, essentially a crash course in which students assemble an ETA 6497 and case it to create a watch they can wear home.
Windup Watch Fair
Since 2015, the fellows at Worn & Wound have organized the annual Windup Watch Fair. It was the first of its kind, and every year, this three-day event draws New York-sized crowds to enjoy a range of curated watch brands, accessories, and ephemera. This year, 39 brands will exhibit including Oris, Stock X, Yema, Zodiac, Brew, Crown & Buckle, Damasko, Dan Henry, Hamilton, and Stowa. The show runs from October 25 through October 27 at Chelsea Market, New York City.
WatchTime New York
While you are in the Big Apple, be sure to visit WatchTime Magazine’s event, October 25-26 at Gotham Hall, 1356 Broadway. Friday kicks off with a 5:00 cocktail reception and you can browse all day on Saturday. Tickets are $150 Friday, $50 Saturday. This will be a display of top-shelf watchmaking featuring brands like A. Lang & Söhne, Bell & Ross, Blancpain, Bovet, Glashütte Original, MB&F, Omega, Oris, Seiko, Zenith, and more. In addition, you can expect seminars and panel discussions.
Meanwhile, in Europe…
AuroChronos Festival
Now in its third year, AuroChronos celebrates independent watchmakers from Poland and around the world. The show will be held on October 5-6, at the Lodz Expo Hall in Lodz, Poland. It will feature expert lectures, practical workshops, and special guests. Over 50 exhibitors will be there, including Anonimo, ArtWatchFrame, Drobiny Czasu, Dumet, Eza, G.Gerlach, Laco, Prim, Tempus, and Zamotana.
Watch It! Watch Fair
Fellow blogger and all-around good dude, Joshua Claire-Flagg of Watch It All About has organized a the Watch It! Watch Fair for British brands. The inaugural event takes place on Saturday, November 9 at “Inside the 22, at CV22”, Rugby, Warwickshire. It promises to be a friendly, relaxed affair with
canapés, prosecco, and coffee in addition to an excellent selection of watches. As of this writing, Alkin, Art of Horology, Christopher Ward, Hamtun, Maals, Vapaus, William Walker Watch, and Zero West will attend, and others will be announced shortly. ⬩
