British Watchmakers Fair: FOMO, Flipping and My Out of Character Behaviour.
Just on the train back from London and thought I'd give you all a recount of the event....
5am: Early start for me in the Mid-lands.
Was planning on going full red/white/blue outfit to fit with the British theme, but then realised I looked like I was cosplaying a Union Jack, so toned it down for the sake of my companions.
9am: Arrive at Victoria and decided to go check out what the queue was looking like when I get a call from @Chunghauphoto
Him: "Where are you?"
Me: "Going to check out the queue..."
Him: "No you're not you FOMO loser. Come meet us for breakfast." (Paraphrased)
Me:....
So I go get breakfast with Chung, Rick, Rob and John (I don't know your handles on here!), and at 9:45ish, we finally head off to Lindley Hall.
The queue was impressive!
Already around a couple of corners by the time we got there!
Great atmosphere though, and met up with @hamishfrob who gave us some insider info on his upcoming watch event in Manchester later in the year. 🤫
Once doors were opened the queue went down quickly..... but then you had the choice to join optional extra queues!
One for @Studio.Underd0g to grab a pizza, which extended the length of the venue, and another for Christopher Ward to check out their 10 piece limited edition event Bel Canto.
To be fair, both watches were lovely, and much nicer in person than I thought they would be.... especially the Pizzas.
I thought they looked a bit flat in pictures, but they are lucious in person!
I've seen these Pizza's on eBay for £2,300 😱
The Bel Canto was definitely a looker....
I can't say I preferred it more than the other colour ways though....
If I was in the market for one, I'd be seriously torn between these two.
Having said that, I did put my name into the lottery for the limited edition due to peer pressure and just the general feeling that it would be stupid not to! (Obviously, I didn't win, otherwise I probably would have led with that!).
The venue was heaving from start to finish and could have done with being bigger.
Roger Smith's watch was very beautiful and I don't know what it went for in the end... does anyone else??
(EDIT: It made £660,000 I believe!)
Sorry, some of these photographs are awful. I blame the awkward conservatory style ceiling and my terrible photography skills.
The Exit watch from William Wood was very cool!
The 'innovative spinning disc' that they teased was visible though a display section in the case back and I presume is the rotor with little exit man engravings. Very cool!!
My personal favourites, @Clemence_Watches, were there with their two beautiful event exclusive watches 'Skye' and 'Cairngorm'....
(Urgh! Photography is hard!)
Stunners, both. Only one of each available for the morning and afternoon, and despite heading straight to Tom's stand as soon as I got in one of them had already sold.
As I'm due to take delivery of my white Munro in just a couple of weeks I HAD to resist grabbing one, otherwise it would be on my wrist now. In fact, getting to see the other Munro colours today has made me think I'll have to get either the Highland Amber or the Ridgeway when Tom restocks in Spring 😬
Met up with some more new friends while we were there, and the lovely Julian (not sure on tags again!) and saw some celebrities of the watch world too.
All in all another awesome day out with team Crunch.
Thank you for organising @Chunghauphoto !!!
My key take aways from the day:
I put my name in the hat to buy a Bal Canto, knowing I would just sell it if I won it. Does that make me dirty flipper now?
The @Studio.Underd0g pizza is yet more proof you need to see a watch in person to really appreciate it.
I am actually able to leave a watch show without buying a watch!!! 🥳 (But only because the Amber or Ridgeway weren't there to buy 🫣)
Some more juicy watch pics...
Mr.Jones, viewed through a magnifier...
Team @Studio.Underd0g making Pizza boxes!
Stupendous back of a Garrick...
Beautiful Twelves...
More underdog loveliness ....
More Bel Canto...
I would love to see everyone else's pictures from the day!
@Justingalore , sad we missed you!!
Part-time 'writter' @ The Escapement Room, the NSFW watch enthusiasts blog. www.theescapementroom.com/
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Wow! Looks like you guys had a great time there~
I’m surprised that you like Bel Canto. 🔥That watch is hot 🚀🔥
Looks like a great day was had by all!
Sorry to have missed you too.. was just busy from start to finish! I loved the day despite an all day migraine.
“Stunners, both. Only one of each available for the morning and afternoon, and despite heading straight to Tom's stand as soon as I got in one of them had already sold.”..
Yeah that was me! Actually have to wait a while for it as they needed it for the afternoon show! An absolute stunner and bargain. The non limited ones also looked great!
I couldn’t resist a fears, a Clemence and a Pizza. (And my mate got one of the two Mr Jones!)
Wow! Looks like you guys had a great time there~
I’m surprised that you like Bel Canto. 🔥That watch is hot 🚀🔥
Honestly, I am constantly changing my mind about the Bel Canto!
When I saw it at Windup I wasn't that fussed, yet today, the purple looked gorgeous!
I guess dial colour is a massive factor for me 🤷
I only came to see the Spice Girl in Union Jack outfit. What happened?! Glad you had a good time.
Looks like a great day was had by all!
It was!
The queuing wasn't an issue because we're all sad watch nerds who are just happy to be around other watch nerds 😆
Sorry to have missed you too.. was just busy from start to finish! I loved the day despite an all day migraine.
“Stunners, both. Only one of each available for the morning and afternoon, and despite heading straight to Tom's stand as soon as I got in one of them had already sold.”..
Yeah that was me! Actually have to wait a while for it as they needed it for the afternoon show! An absolute stunner and bargain. The non limited ones also looked great!
I couldn’t resist a fears, a Clemence and a Pizza. (And my mate got one of the two Mr Jones!)
Soooo happy the Clemence went to a Cruncher!!!
They are awesome watches and Tom is a top bloke.
It was!
The queuing wasn't an issue because we're all sad watch nerds who are just happy to be around other watch nerds 😆
I went to the pizza queue - as much as anything - to tie me up for a while and stop me buying watches! It worked. Right up to the moment I bought an impromptu pizza.
I only came to see the Spice Girl in Union Jack outfit. What happened?! Glad you had a good time.
I honestly got ready in my full on Union Jack outfit at 5am and bottled out, because I was worried no one else would go full 💯... and I was right 😆
Thanks foe sharing your pictures and experiences, I hope I can go next year. I am going to WatchIT in June in Solihull which will be my first watch show and probably a little less hectic.
If there is a Manchester watch event on the cards please post it here as I would love to attend if I can.
My little write up and pics..
https://www.watchcrunch.com/Justingalore/posts/british-watchmakers-day-delivers-348605
Looks like a very fun time was had! Thanks for sharing, Kaysia!
I went to the pizza queue - as much as anything - to tie me up for a while and stop me buying watches! It worked. Right up to the moment I bought an impromptu pizza.
You bought THREE watches!!!
I'd love to have seen what happened if you didn't queue!
Thanks foe sharing your pictures and experiences, I hope I can go next year. I am going to WatchIT in June in Solihull which will be my first watch show and probably a little less hectic.
If there is a Manchester watch event on the cards please post it here as I would love to attend if I can.
The Manchester event is in November I believe, so plenty of time for me to save up 🥳
I actually think a slightly quieter event is nicer. You get more time to chat to brand owners and don't have to fight to see the watches.
You should definitely get to one when you can. 👍
I honestly got ready in my full on Union Jack outfit at 5am and bottled out, because I was worried no one else would go full 💯... and I was right 😆
Thanks for that great shots and a great time had cheers .
I just don’t get it with Studio Underd0g (why they have a zero replacing the o is bloody annoying and awful English). They are Chinese made watches with Chinese movements. Much nicer micro brands in my most humble opinion.
I totally get that they aren't for everyone, and until I actually saw them in person I did think they were a bit gimmicky. However, as I remember a wise man saying "A watch is more than it's specs", and I think Studio.Underd0g are an example of this for me.
Their watches feel much more refined and less like kids toys in person then the pictures may portray, and I love that they are giving the watch world something different.
If you want to appeal to the masses, make a black dial diver.... Or you can take a risk with something completely off piste that is going to really excite some, and totally turn off others.
Anyway, I think their appeal is to offer something different and affordable, and the queues proved they've nailed that!
Great write-up, thanks for sharing. I'm absolutely getting a Garrick next year.
The one I pictured is the only one I've ever seen, and I was blown away.
It sounds like the whole customisation process is something really special.
Great day today and lovely to meet you.
Hope you had a safe journey back.
At least we now know how much the Roger Smith piece went for!!!.😯
Still can't believe that one of us didn't win that Bel Canto.😞.
What it did tell me though after seeing them, is that I probably will now order one...probably the light blue that Hamish was wearing.😍.x
Was awesome meeting you too Rick!
I hope Rob didn't feel too ganged up on with the constant teasing we were throwing his way 🤭
I think I prefer the other Bel Canto colours anyway, plus you save a chunk of money.
Pics when you get one!!!
Great post and update!
Very peed off I couldn't be there. But I'm now a member so won't miss out next year.
Love those Clemence watches. Never seen them before..
It was a great day, but exhausting.
I think I preferred the microbrand event we went to at Heathrow in some ways.
It was nice getting there early and being able to chat to brands in piece.
Yesterday was a scrumb.
I totally get that they aren't for everyone, and until I actually saw them in person I did think they were a bit gimmicky. However, as I remember a wise man saying "A watch is more than it's specs", and I think Studio.Underd0g are an example of this for me.
Their watches feel much more refined and less like kids toys in person then the pictures may portray, and I love that they are giving the watch world something different.
If you want to appeal to the masses, make a black dial diver.... Or you can take a risk with something completely off piste that is going to really excite some, and totally turn off others.
Anyway, I think their appeal is to offer something different and affordable, and the queues proved they've nailed that!
You’ve summed it up nicely there.
Any of the comments I see on the movement feel misplaced. Richard Benc founded this company in 2020 in a lockdown. He did not have the economies of scale of bigger brands with in house movements. He knew he wouldn’t be anyone’s main or first watch, so he deliberately went for fun, stylised chronographs. Not another diver with a black dial and rotating bezel, he’d be lost in a sea of microbrands.
Part of the reason these watches are so popular is the ‘underdog’ story. If any of us started a new brand; much like a lot of YouTube or watch media we’d land on cheaper movements too.
The idea is to punch up, not down. £500-600 for a watch that is of the moment, new and one you can have handed to you by the founder himself at a show, that’s sort of what you’re paying for here too. It’s being a patron in the old sense of the word. You’re being a patron of the brand and paying it ‘forward’ to see the brand continue to iterate on these early models and grow!
We had a great morning. Spoke to one of Roger’s staff for about 20mins. Roger made him take off his Rolex and wear British for the day hahaha (a Christopher Ward. The queues were a bit of an issue (I don’t do queues) but glad those who did managed to ge that they wanted. I had a really good chat with Mike France the CEO from Christopher Ward, really nice guy. Tried on everything I wanted too and didn’t buy a thing! The Mrs will be stunned to learn I didn’t buy anything hahaha I had plans to take photos but the day ran away from us a bit. I can’t believe the R. Smith went for £660k! I wonder if that included VAT 😬 if not then we are taking £792k😳😳
It sounds like Christopher Ward has some really exciting stuff coming up this year. They just keep blowing it out of the park with each release, so I'm really excited to see what's next.
Can you imagine... a VAT bill alone of £130,000 🤣
How much is that beutiful garrick and what model??
I don't know how much it cost.
It was on the wrist of another Cruncher and Garrick weren't there in the day, so it felt rude to ask.
It was a custom built piece.
You’ve summed it up nicely there.
Any of the comments I see on the movement feel misplaced. Richard Benc founded this company in 2020 in a lockdown. He did not have the economies of scale of bigger brands with in house movements. He knew he wouldn’t be anyone’s main or first watch, so he deliberately went for fun, stylised chronographs. Not another diver with a black dial and rotating bezel, he’d be lost in a sea of microbrands.
Part of the reason these watches are so popular is the ‘underdog’ story. If any of us started a new brand; much like a lot of YouTube or watch media we’d land on cheaper movements too.
The idea is to punch up, not down. £500-600 for a watch that is of the moment, new and one you can have handed to you by the founder himself at a show, that’s sort of what you’re paying for here too. It’s being a patron in the old sense of the word. You’re being a patron of the brand and paying it ‘forward’ to see the brand continue to iterate on these early models and grow!
Since I've actually started going to these events and meeting owners in person, the people behind the brands has started to matter a lot more to me.
Knowing the human beings behind the designs, their passions and creative influences that they have poured into their watches.... it adds a whole other layer to the joy of watch ownership to me.
Sorry to have missed you too.. was just busy from start to finish! I loved the day despite an all day migraine.
“Stunners, both. Only one of each available for the morning and afternoon, and despite heading straight to Tom's stand as soon as I got in one of them had already sold.”..
Yeah that was me! Actually have to wait a while for it as they needed it for the afternoon show! An absolute stunner and bargain. The non limited ones also looked great!
I couldn’t resist a fears, a Clemence and a Pizza. (And my mate got one of the two Mr Jones!)
That Fears watch was lovely!
Was awesome meeting you too Rick!
I hope Rob didn't feel too ganged up on with the constant teasing we were throwing his way 🤭
I think I prefer the other Bel Canto colours anyway, plus you save a chunk of money.
Pics when you get one!!!
To be fair Kaysia, the winding up of Rob carried on into the evening until Chung and I left them, but he took it all very well and even started to play on it himself.
Which Bel Canto colour would you choose?
Always nice to meet new people and fellow watch nerds.❤
I love these mission debriefs @DeeperBlue, aways a pleasure to read and no doubt a great way for Crunchers to get a vibe for the day! Was fantastic to catch up with you, thank you for stopping by for a good chat! Absolutely blown away that our Munro remains a highlight for you, there was an incredible concentration of talented brands in the space yesterday so this is deeply appreciated 🙏🙌 look forward to sending your Munro out soon 🎉
To be fair Kaysia, the winding up of Rob carried on into the evening until Chung and I left them, but he took it all very well and even started to play on it himself.
Which Bel Canto colour would you choose?
Always nice to meet new people and fellow watch nerds.❤
I would go for either purple or grey... I think purple is lucious, but would be a very bold choice!
Not a dirty flipper - just a cautious watch buyer.
So happy to have your thoughts/words back! ✨
Yes dirty flipper, but we’re all with you on entering when 0.00001 chance to win. 😜
Awesomeness on the write up, your pics the best I’ve seen of the event.
I couldn’t have managed it - OMG I don’t gybe with crowds
Did u see a pink lemonade IRL? I’ve got one on order!
Always curious in the Garrick x Fears… did that cutie make an appearance?
thanks again for an awesome write up 😘