The last social gathering I went to before the pandemic was, of course, a watch event. Back in the before-times of March 2020, our usual DC-area watch dinner group met at a nice restaurant downtown and idly wondered whether our respective offices might have to shut down for a couple of weeks until this all blew over. Well, we all know how that turned out but now that we are finally turning the corner on Covid (I hope), it’s time to get together and see some cool new watches. One of the first such events will be Watches, Whiskey and Wine at 38 South Potomac Street, Hagerstown, MD 21740, on July 24-25, 2021, from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm both days.
This free event is hosted by Maryland Watch Works and Hager Watches, both of whom have shops in Hagerstown. Brand owners, retailers, collectors, enthusiasts, the media, and the community will all converge on Hagerstown Maryland with the aim of enjoying horology and spirits. Watch brands from Maryland and around the world will be on display, allowing visitors to get up close and personal with watches they might otherwise only see on the Internet. So far, about twenty brands and exhibitors have signed on (see below) and there may be more to come.
In addition, small local distilleries, wineries, and breweries will also be offering hidden gems to sample. Finally, the hosts will have dedicated rooms and tables apart from the main vendor areas where enthusiasts may display their own collections, just like a typical watch get-together, allowing for exchanges, sales, conversation, and networking.
For those who don’t know, Maryland Watch Works is a triple threat these days, providing sales, service, and now full-on assembly for their microbrand partners, including the exciting new MD 7081, a 2824-based automatic movement assembled right there in Hagerstown.
Personally, I can’t think of a better way to get back in the swing of things than to enjoy a nice tumbler of whiskey while geeking out with fellow watch nerds. We of The Time Bum team have already booked our rooms. We hope to see you there too!
For directions and more info, visit watcheswhiskeyandwine.com.
