The inaugural Hands on Horology event ticked all the right boxes for watch collectors and horology enthusiasts alike, making a resounding debut that celebrated the art and innovation of fine watchmaking.
From vintage aficionados to modern micro-brand collectors, every guest left with a renewed appreciation for the intricate world of timekeeping. Curated with collectors in mind, Hands on Horology offered a rare opportunity to engage with the company founders and a dazzling array of timepieces up close. Attendees explored displays from hand-made creations to the latest in independent mechanical marvels. There were limited editions, one-off unique pieces, which sparked lively conversations amongst the attendees.
True to its name, the event encouraged hands-on experiences, with the opportunity to try watches at every stand and showcase. There were Master watchmakers showing their work and explaining the inspiration behind their watches, including Bianchet and Haut-Rive.
It was incredible to see the longest mainspring inside a watch that Haut-Rive (above) use to ensure 1,000 hours of power reserve in their watches.
Brands exhibiting included…Alpina, AnOrdain, AWAKE, Ball, Baltic, Beaucroft, Biachet, Blackout Watches, BOLDR, Brew, CIGA Design, Christopher Ward, Doxa, Duckworth Prestex, Favre Leuba, Formex, Frederique Constant, Haut-Rive, Herbelin, Horage, Jean Rousseau, John Nicol Neo, Junghans, Micromilspec, Nalla Neram, Nodus, Orient, Paulin, RZE, Serica, Studio Underd0g, Venezianico.
Several brands used the event as a launchpad, revealing limited editions and future planned releases. Boutique watchmakers and emerging micro-brands enjoyed direct engagement with a discerning audience, fostering connections that extended far beyond the showroom floor.
The event was sold out which shows the demand for collectors’ and enthusiasts to interact directly with brands and have the opportunity to purchase is growing exponentially.
Hands on Horology was a true celebration of the watch collector community. Collectors swapped stories, wrists were constantly admired, and new friendships were forged over shared obsessions with lume glow, rare calibers, and case finishes. The energy in the room was electric—and undeniably enthusiastic.
Given the overwhelmingly positive feedback and excellent turnout, I’m sure that plans for a follow-up event are already ticking into motion. Hands on Horology is set to become a cornerstone event for the watch-collecting community. It was a vibrant, hands-on celebration of everything that makes collecting watches so endlessly fascinating.
I’m looking forward to the next one already.