Bites: WindUp NYC 2024. My Story In 1 Million Pictures.
Happy Tuesday fellow Crunchers!
You lucky people, you get Bites a day early this week because I'm going to be crazy busy tomorrow.
There have been some amazing posts about the NYC WindUp, but I figured we all have insatiable appetites for watch pics so I would add my own.
I will see how many photos I can add in the post and then put any others in the comments.
First, let's check out this weeks WC action and I'll meet you again at the end to talk about my experiences of WindUp.
There are actually 3+2 quick bites from this week's WC due to all the action in NYC.
"Windup fair NYC WatchCrunch meetup" - @Mr.Santana
"2023 windup watch fair new York recap" - @drcarter13
"So many watches: WindUp NYC" - @wilfried
"Lessons from the 2023 NYC Windup" - @AllTheWatches
"WatchCrunch diver revealed" - @Mr.Santana
New members
New members who I have seen posting this week...
@MadMachine , @Boondi , @charper_watches , @Faheem , @MrHaHa249 , @FutUhr_Zwo
Welcome everyone!
Hot posts
This week's topics that got the community talking.
"Boutique microbrand money" - @Watchovski
"Ever come across a deal you could not refuse?" - @Rockin
"IBWF and a farewell to my PRX" - @GullibleAndroid
"Do your watches reflect who you are?" - @whystopatone
"Are used watches for readily available watches worth it? What is the appropriate discount?" - @btones
"Is it time AKA when do you call it quits?" - @Mr.Dee.Bater
"WTF is a field watch?" - @ckim4watches
"The probably hardest decision" - @foerster1337
"Why buy affordable when you have expensive watches?" - @nytime
"Is this watch too small for my wrist? " - @Aurelian
"Post a watch that KO punches above it's weight" - @palfor03
"Same watch but another colour" - @Fredwatch50
"What's your favourite watch in your collection?" - @norrecc
"Any watch brands that are well liked or popular that just do it for you?" - @willinsf
"Watch etiquette fashion rules today" - @palfor03
Meetups and events
28th Oct - Seattle Timeworks university village meetup - Seattle, USA
1st Nov - Meetup showcase of British watch design in London - London, UK
8th Nov - France meetup - Tours, France
11th Nov - NorCal Episode 4 Wine Watches Music Meetup - Livermore, CA
11th Nov - WatchPro Salon meetup - London, UK
2nd December - Ventura GGT/Meetup - Ventura, CA
8th December – London Christmas Meetup – London, UK
Upcoming...
'Most Haunted Vintage Watch Challenge - Last Call!' - @casiodean
Ongoing...
"The William Wood Travel Watch" - @benandwatch
"Casio Travel Watch Update" - @Okavango The latest update from the OG WC travel watch.
"About Vintage Travel Watch" - @benandwatch's new About Vintage touring watch!
Auctions:
"Make a donation to charity and win a watch: And the winner is...." - @Edge168n Charity raffle update!
My top picks from this week's new watch releases.
Top row, left to right: Reservoir , Frederique Constant , Brellum , Fears
Bottom row: Triptique , Urwerk , Bremont , G-shock
Updates from the YouTubers, podcasters, brand owners and watch makers in our community.
"I finally bought a Zelos" - @HonestWatchReviews
"A Voyage of discovery" - @GasWorks
Longer posts from the knowledgeable and creative writers amongst the WC family.
"Watches in the wild - Homage edition " - @Timetodial
"Chronos and Cronus: Exploring the Greek gods of time and mythology" - @megaphomaniac
"Fine watchmaking market map" - @TheHoroSexual
"One and Done Chapter 20: Rolex" - @defsNOTgenta
"Watches in the wild Vol 50: San Diego spots" - @Edge168n
WindUp NYC 2024
This post is brought to you by my love of Brooklyn 99 and the fact I bought an NYC hoodie at the airport before flying home because I thoroughly embrace my sad tourist side.
(How does @Chunghauphoto do his awesome body shots???)
Story Time
Saturday:
I rocked up at WindUp at around 1pm on the Saturday and it was packed out. My daughter was with me doing all the photography, so all of the actually good photographs you see below are to her credit.
So, we wonder around a few booths and then I get to Shinola and I really loved the look of their collections...
The lady I got chatting to asked me if I'd just come across to NYC for the fair, so I explained that I was there to meet friends that I knew from an internet forum and we had planned a meet up around the fair. She was very friendly and introduced me to one of the lady watch designers on their team. We chatted for a while and then she says "So how long have you been writing for Forbes?"
I guess something must have been lost in the translation of my accent, and the fact I had my daughter hovering around me like...
... probably gave a misleading impression of my actual importance!
I made my polite excuses and moved on to the next stand, but the lovely Shinola lady actually ran after me to give me a bag of swag!
If anyone from Shinola is on the forum, if I ever do start writing for Forbes, I promise you will be my first article.
We wondered around a few other stands and then I get to Formex and excitedly go to see Raphael about my Mother of Sky that I ordered.
So I'm like "Dude! Here to pick up my watch!"
But he shakes his head and explains that their delivery didn't arrive in time and so they didn't have my watch to give me.
They did have a display version for me to look at however....
It was very beautiful.... however, after a lot of backwards and forwards in my head, I decided that the original white MoP was the one for me. I explained this to them and they were super cool about just swapping my order which I was able to walk away with on the day.
I need to get some better shots of it, but here are some phone ones for now....
I'll put the rest of the pictures from the fair below or in the comments, because we spent ages wondering around and soaking up the atmosphere, taking pics and chatting with the brands.
In the evening @AllTheWatches , @Ichibunz, his wonderful wife and I went out for food and then when the clock hit 7pm Ichi was like...
...and insisted we head through to the WC meetup ASAP so he could meet his fans.
There was a really great atmosphere and again Crunchers proved that watch people are the best people.
But do you know who is even better?
The wives of watch people.
I was lucky enough to meet three lovely watch-wives while I was there and all I can say is that there must be something irresistible about watch nerds to score such fabulous ladies.
Peter from @TimeToDesign announced Roberto as the winner of the raffle
And we all spent the rest of the night sharing watch stories and taking wrist shots. 🥰
Everyone I had the pleasure of talking to was awesome and I already cant wait till next year!
@roshbm mentioned that there was a Spinnaker and AV8 meetup the next morning, so that was plans made for Sunday.
Sunday:
Spinnaker meetup day.
5 of us met up at a café down the road from WindUp to check out some of the upcoming releases from Spinnaker and AV8. The 50 Phantoms is the obvious big release at the moment, but I actually have a big soft-spot for their marine conservation collaborations...
Over all it was an amazing weekend and I will definitely be back for more next year if work allows!
I'll include more of my daughters photographs of the fair for you below, and just to let you know that there won't be a Bites next week as I'm on holiday.
Take care everyone!
Kaysia.
Part-time 'writter' @ The Escapement Room, the NSFW watch enthusiasts blog. www.theescapementroom.com/
More from DeeperBlue
Thank you for the mention. Always appreciated ❤
All the Spinnaker photographs from the Sunday.
WindUp...
WindUp...
Amazing round up as usually Kaysia ✅
WindUp...
I only read it cuz it has pictures…!!!!!!!!!!
!!!!!!
!!!!!!!!!
!!!!’
😁
Thanks for the mention! And congrats on the beautiful new Formex! 🍻
I only read it cuz it has pictures…!!!!!!!!!!
!!!!!!
!!!!!!!!!
!!!!’
😁
I know ichi! They are there special for you!
Thank you for the mention. Always appreciated ❤
I always include our master watchmaker!
Thank you again for another shout out. I truly appreciate it.
The WindUp NY looks amazing and I'm glad you had a great time. Nice watch pick up too. I'm sure you're wearing it with a smile.
I hope when the WindUp hits San Francisco it's as good as your photos look. Thanks for all your work.
Whoa this is an amazing wrap up. Looks like a good time was had by all. But come on, that Formex…
Never knew myself… I was more escorting the Red Queen @DeeperBlue as her jester really… and folks figured I was her… we kinda look alike … you can say like twins 😁…
We were looking for you though!! Too bad we missed ya!!
My luck I got sick for the one event I waited months for 😭
My luck I got sick for the one event I waited months for 😭
That’s sucks!! Oh man!! Maybe the next meet up !! 🍻
Omg 😱!
All the WC luminaries gathered in one magic place! Must’ve felt odd meeting so many familiar but foreign friends
Great slide album @DeeperBlue - there several watches you took pics of that I’d love to see in person.. always feel nervous if I can’t try b4 I buy.
Sadly that’s pretty much the deal with micros, unless you globetrot a bit!
Some watches looked .. really big. I know we both have small wrists (6 inch me) please comment on
- Bel canto
- Underdog field watch (lugs look super long!)
(Did u love them in person , or Meh?)
- Did u run into Integrated bracelets that didn’t work for small wrists?
Thanks your photog pro for all the pics!
Whoa this is an amazing wrap up. Looks like a good time was had by all. But come on, that Formex…
Love the second last Skyblue Anordain wow 🤩 . Thanks Kaysia for all the work you put into this post ! Awesomeness 🫢
Ace post. I was at a mini version of this over the weekend, but you had all the toys to play with! I love living vicariously through WC'ers. Appreciate your daughter's effort. I gotta train my kids to do the same for me - so smart!
Fantastic post as always!
Sounds like an amazing trip and great that you could share it with your daughter.
If you wrote for Forbes, I probably would read that publication more often 😉
What do you think Forbes policy on GIFs is? 🤔
Thank for the mention! What a great fair! I love that Spinnaker 50 Phantoms. Such a cool play on the Blancpain 50 Fathoms!!! I think I need to order one!! Cheers! 🥂
I love the idea of it. I don't consider it just a Halloween watch like some do.
Ghosts are with us all year! 👻
Which was the highlight brand for you? The one that impressed you the most?
I really loved the Oak and Oscar GMT
(Not my pic)
If I hadn't gotten the Formex I would have gone for this one.
Interesting. I was actually disappointed when I saw the bel canto in person.
Weird! Maybe it's something to do with expectations?? 🤷♀
Mine were pretty low 🫣 But it was nice enough in person that I'd give one serious consideration... though the price is a bit of a barrier for me.
Omg 😱!
All the WC luminaries gathered in one magic place! Must’ve felt odd meeting so many familiar but foreign friends
Great slide album @DeeperBlue - there several watches you took pics of that I’d love to see in person.. always feel nervous if I can’t try b4 I buy.
Sadly that’s pretty much the deal with micros, unless you globetrot a bit!
Some watches looked .. really big. I know we both have small wrists (6 inch me) please comment on
- Bel canto
- Underdog field watch (lugs look super long!)
(Did u love them in person , or Meh?)
- Did u run into Integrated bracelets that didn’t work for small wrists?
Thanks your photog pro for all the pics!
I'll dig out some more pictures of the Bel Canto and StudioUnderd0g to see if I've got better ones.
From what I remember the Bel Canto is pretty big and wouldn't be an everyday watch for sure. Just a curiosity really.
The SU is probably on the cusp too, but the dial is so very very cool it would be worth it.
I find watches always look bigger on wrists in photos.
Love the second last Skyblue Anordain wow 🤩 . Thanks Kaysia for all the work you put into this post ! Awesomeness 🫢
The AnOrdains were a nightmare to photograph! The beauty of the dials is so difficult to capture.
Ace post. I was at a mini version of this over the weekend, but you had all the toys to play with! I love living vicariously through WC'ers. Appreciate your daughter's effort. I gotta train my kids to do the same for me - so smart!
Yes, not having to worry about taking photos meant I got to focus on talking to the brand owners.
Where did you get to see watches at the weekend?
The AnOrdains were a nightmare to photograph! The beauty of the dials is so difficult to capture.
Same as this ! Tried to capture this dial , didn’t capture the frosted ice dial at all . It is also absolutely stunning in the flesh:)
Yes, not having to worry about taking photos meant I got to focus on talking to the brand owners.
Where did you get to see watches at the weekend?
Here (only watch exhibit, v cool and we can always dream) and here (our mini version of the wind up event in Singapore called spring sprang sprung)!
Here (only watch exhibit, v cool and we can always dream) and here (our mini version of the wind up event in Singapore called spring sprang sprung)!
Oh wow, it must have been awesome to see the only watches!