Comic Con for watch aficionados 

It’s almost time for WatchTime New York, the luxury watch event taking place Oct. 20 through 22 at Gotham Hall in Manhattan. Courtesy WatchTime New York.

Eight years ago, WatchTime New York debuted a new event concept, pulling back the industry curtain and welcoming watch collectors and consumers to engage directly with watch brand executives, famed watchmakers and tastemakers for the first time. The industry has never been the same and, in the intervening years, WatchTime New York has only grown in stature as one of the watch world’s signature annual events and the anchor event of New York City’s unofficial watch week. The luxury watch event will return to Gotham Hall, 1356 Broadway in midtown Manhattan Oct. 20 through 22 – offering three full days of product reveals, insider insights and opportunities to try on new timepieces. 

Christopher Ward may not be taking part in WatchTime New York, but the British watch company has announced that its C1 Bel Canto has received a nomination in the Petite Aiguille category of the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève (GPHG).⁠ Courtesy Christopher Ward.

Thirty-four leading watch brands have already signed on to exhibit their latest timepieces at WatchTime New York 2023, including Armin Strom, Arnold & Son, Bell & Ross, Blancpain, Bovet, Breguet, Bremont, Carl F. Bucherer, Chopard, Chronoswiss, Cyrus, Czapek, Frederique Constant, G-Shock, Gerald Charles, Glashütte Original, Greubel Forsey, H. Moser & Cie., HYT, Laurent Ferrier, Louis Erard, MB&F, Moritz Grossmann, Norqain, Oris, Parmigiani Fleurier, Perrelet, Piaget, RGM, Roger Dubuis, Speake-Marin, Ulysse Nardin, Voutilainen and Zeitwinkel. 
 
The brands will present their latest timepieces, some world-first launches live from the floor of WatchTime New York and many more fresh from their world debut overseas. Historically, the show has offered the first chance for North American collectors to get hands-on experiences with these rare wristwatches. 

While VIP tickets are sold out, tickets for Oct. 21 or 22 ($39) are available here. 

Meanwhile, Christopher Ward may not be taking part in WatchTime New York, but the British company has announced that its C1 Bel Canto has received a nomination in the Petite Aiguille category of the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève (GPHG).⁠ These annual awards celebrate excellence within watch and clockmaking, recognizing exceptional creations and key contributors within the industry.⁠ The Petite Aiguille category crowns the finest timepiece priced from $2,000 to $8,000. The winner will be announced during a ceremony in Geneva on Nov. 9. 

Mike France, the CEO and co-founder of Christopher Ward, said in a statement: “The Bel Canto is a significant watch, not just for Christopher Ward but for the industry as a whole. That it has been nominated by the GPHG is deserved recognition for the team at CW whose skill and endeavour created it.” 

Look for a big announcement from CW on a new addition to one of its collections on Oct. 12.