2023 Windup Watch Fair New York Recap

Good Evening Crunchers,

Before diving into my experience at the Windup Watch Fair in New York, I want to share a few highlights from my time there:

Photography Challenges: I have immense respect for photographers now! Balancing my goody bags, brochures and booklets in one hand, while juggling my phone in another, I found myself constantly dodging and maneuvering through the crowded space. I had strategically chosen to attend on Friday, anticipating lighter foot traffic, but to my surprise the venue was packed. To top it off, trying to capture a decent picture of myself reminded me why I prefer staying behind the camera; I don't seem to be too photogenic🤣.

My encounters with the CEO's: I had the pleasure of meeting some remarkable individuals, including Peter Cho, Co-Founder of Jack Mason, who impressed me with his humble demeanor and fascinating journey from Parson's School in New York (hope I got that right) to launching Jack Mason in Texas. Mark from Long Island Watches was equally engaging effortlessly navigating through the crowd like a seasoned host or mayor. Justin Kraudel from Monta shared insightful stories about his transition from the finance world to the founding of Monta, a lean and mean operation with only three employees running the show!

Event Insights: Arriving around 11:00 a.m., I was greeted by a modest queue, allowing me to engage in meaningful conversations with fellow attendees. The camaraderie among watch enthusiasts was papable. However, as the doors opened at 12:05 p.m., the crowd swelled rapidly, dispersing in all directions. The prominent brands/micro-brands were all neatly distributed across two floors, with the well-known names like Bulova, Citizen, Christopher Ward, Oris, Zodiac, G-Shock, Monta, Jack Mason and several others on the first floor. The bottom floor had the likes of Fossil, "more watches", EDC Alley (not a great showing in my opinion), a lounge and restrooms.

With that context here's a closer look at some of the standout brands and their offerings:

Jack Mason:

• Strat-o-Timer GMT, Dr Pepper.

• Limited to just 230 units, the exclusivity of this watch was evident, with nearly all of the units they brought with them sold out at the show. This model officially goes on sale Monday, get your credit cards ready.

• A clever touch of lume on the bezel highlighting the 10, 2 & 4 positions, reminiscent of the old Dr Pepper slogan.

• Available with a bracelet and a tropical strap, this gem was a steal at $1,000 (a true GMT)! Remember the Dr Pepper is sold separately 😉.

• The other standout was the HYDROTIMER. The pictures don't do the watch any justice! It's a show stopper at below $1,000. I can see why enthusiasts love Jack Mason!

MAAN:

• Learning the correct pronunciation, "hey MON" added an extra layer of charm to this brand. It's certainly not pronounced "Man".

• The exquisite case shapes and striking dial colors were truly a visual treat.

• The attention to detail in the finishing was nothing short of impressive, especially considering the starting price point of $730 for the Manhattan 37, equipped with a Sellita SW200.

Vortic Watch Company:

• Exuding sheer passion for their craft, Vortic Watch Company breathed new life into vintage pocket watches, crafting unique timepeices with nostalgic allure.

• Their higher price point is justified by their commitment to carving a distinctive niche in the marketplace.

Spinnaker:

• We all know Spinnaker makes good designs and quality watches.

• Their upcoming Titanium piece which has been highly anticipated, was not available during the fair, missed opportunity.

• Their Chronograph, though larger in size, executed and undeniable charm, thanks to it's textured dial.

• Spinnaker makes some of the best looking domed bezels in the mircrobrand space.

Brunno Sohnle - Uhrenatelier Glashutte/SA

• This brand stood out due to it's impeccable aesthetics and attention to detail.

• The captivating dial colors and we'll-designed Chronographs were a sight to see, especially considering that they are mid-tiered from a pricing standpoint.

Vieren:

• Showcasing precious metal cases with an unmistakable Studio-54 inspired flair, albeit at a much higher price range.

• I call these pieces the Stayin Alive, John Trovalta collection!

Monta:

• Noteworthy for their superior fit and finish, offering great quality at accessible price points.

• The Ocean King stands out as a compelling alternative to the Submariner, exceeding expectations in every detail of the watch. If you are looking for that comparable watch to the likes of a Submariner, check out the Ocean King, you won't be disappointed. Maybe lighter in your wallet after a quick look-see😉. It will only set you back $2,500.

• The pictures don't do the Ocean King justice, trust me!

Long Island Watches:

• Mark's engaging persona matched the allure of his extensive watch collection on display. He definitely came to not only represent his company, but sell some watches!

• The Team's affable nature added to the positive experience .

• As we all know, watches look better in person and I was pleasantly surprised by how great his watches look.

Echo/Nuetra

• Impressive display of watches, with the Cristallo Professional Diver stealing the spotlight with three captivating dial colors.

• One Chronograph looked fantastic as well. Sorry, I did not get the model/reference.

Duckworth Prestex:

• The Rivington GMT and Covington models stood out for their exceptional case designs, dial patterns and nuanced designs.

• I have added them to my short list.

William Wood:

• A promising brand with a distinct thematic approach to design, particularly notable for their homage to firefighters and exceptional dial craftmasnhip.

• They don't stop with the watch, their straps look amazing with the colors of fire at different temperatures; blue, red & orange.

Shinola:

• The "Mechanic", their inaugural mechanical watch, showcased a timeless design and an open caseback, adding to its appeal.

• The Mechanic on the steel bracelet will release during the latter part of 2023.

• Full disclosure, I am biased being a Detroiter.

ISOTOPE:

• The bronze model, in particular, captured my attention with its unique aesthetics, deserving of a prominent position at the event, definitely not on the bottom floor. I realize that the vendors do pay for their space/location.

Hein Rich:

• The Taucher model left a lasting impression with its sophisticated design, complimented by meticulous attention to detail.

• The knurling on the crown matches that on the side of the bezel. Very sharp!

March Lab:

• Noteworthy for their unique and retro-inspired designs, March Kab made a distinctive mark at the fair.

Wolbrook:

• The Skindiver model really stood out with a blend of style, personality, functionality and affordability.

• The images don't begin to match its great aesthetics. Also, the plastic was still on the watches.

Furlan Marri:

• Aside from great aesthetics, their well-priced mecca-quartz and standout Chronographs, including an eye-catching salmon dial variant that has a mechanical movement and is priced around $2,700.

Seiko:

• While Seiko was not at the event showing off wristwatches, I didn't forget about all of you Seiko Fan Boys and Girls...

Justin Kraudel of Monta:

Peter Cho of Jack Mason

Mark of Long Island Watches: