WatchTime New York will make its triumphant return to live in-person events this autumn, integrating collectors, enthusiasts, and 27 registered watch brands under Gotham Hall’s famed rotunda in Midtown Manhattan after a year’s hiatus due to COVID-19 issues.
The sixth edition of the show, produced by WatchTime and presented in partnership with the cocktail party sponsor Tourneau | Bucherer and BMW, expands from two days to three and will be open to the public by paid admission from Friday 22nd October – Sunday 24th October 2021.
The enlarged event format was created to encourage sufficient space for social distancing, while also expanding on the show’s popular panel discussion series, featuring notable collectors, designers, brand executives, and other figures from the watch world. For the first time this year, admission for each day of WatchTime New York will be ticketed individually to allow participants to build their WatchTime New York itinerary of choice.
The show has long fostered dialogue, face-to-face connections, and hands-on experiences for the watch community, something that WatchTime New York show organizers and editors realized their audience needs now more than ever.
“Interest in WatchTime New York is at an all-time high,” said Sara Orlando, WatchTime Magazine Publisher. “We are so excited to ride this uptick in interest and finally reunite.” Orlando will also include in the event’s first ever dedicated panel about women’s watches, led by and featuring an all-female panel, timetabled for Saturday, October 23 at 3:00 p.m.
Roger Rugger, WatchTime Editor-in-Chief, expressed his eagerness for the event to return in-person saying: “Our followers, collectors, and watch brands are desperately asking to get back to normal and meet in-person. Thankfully, this is not 2020, and we know how to carry on safely with the right guidelines in place to ensure the health and comfort of all WatchTime New York show attendees and participants so we can all get back to doing what we love: get together and talk about watches.”
Brands are also looking forward to the event returning this year. Those participating include A. Lange & Söhne, Armin Strom, Arnold & Son, Bell & Ross, Blancpain, Bovet, Breguet, Carl F. Bucherer, Chopard, Czapek, De Bethune, G-Shock, Glashütte Original, Grand Seiko, Greubel Forsey, Jaquet Droz, Laurent Ferrier, L. Leroy, Massena LAB, MB&F, MeisterSinger, Montblanc, Norqain, Oris, Seiko, Vulcain, and Zenith amongst others. Additionally, from its inception, the event has served as an important staging ground for launching new horological products to the world. Various brands plan will follow this tradition and will reveal exclusive limited-edition watches to the world for the very first time live from the WatchTime New York show floor.
WatchTime New York will observe current New York City and CDC guidelines to ensure the health and safety of all event participants by asking that all guests provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination upon entry. For those who cannot attend WatchTime New York this year in-person, but who still want to take part in the vibrancy and excitement of the event, for the first time this year, WatchTime will live stream the panel discussions online.
Timetable for Panel Presentations
Saturday 23rd October:
- 12:00pm – 1:00pm: “Is this 2019 all over again, or have things changed?”
- 3:00pm – 4:00pm: “What is a women’s watch in 2021?”
Sunday 24th October:
- 12:00pm – 1:00pm: “Why collectors love the independents, and why the industry needs them.”
- 3:00pm – 4:00pm: “Why is steel so hot, and is this going to continue?”
A Look under the case
Across the three-day event, WatchTime New York attendees will get the chance to take a closer look into how these complex mechanical timepieces are made, with live watchmaking demonstrations offered by leading watchmakers like Brequet and Grand Seiko. On top of that, for the first time, WatchTime New York will have space for on-site timepiece authentications and evaluations from eBay and WatchBox, pre-owned luxury leaders.
The WatchTime New York VIP Cocktail Party
WatchTime New York will host an upscale cocktail party kicking-off on Friday 22nd October from 5:30pm to 8:30pm. Friday nights entry offers ticketed guests the first chance to take a closer look at the timepieces as well as interact with some of the participating brands and notable attendees. Guests will be able to indulge in top-shelf cocktails from the open bar and catered fare while socialising with WatchTime editors, brand ambassadors and influencers.
For more details about the event and to purchase tickets, visit https://www.watchtimeevents.com
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