Watch Time Magazine Los Angeles Premier
Watch Time Magazine - Los Angeles Premier Event!
It was just another day strolling through my Instagram feed @hautereviewblog shameless plug :) when I stumbled across a post that intrigued me. Watch Time was hosting an event in Los Angeles. Los Angeles....Los Angeles.... I thought it can't be, they're normally known for their events in New York and around the World. I decided to follow-up and dig a bit deeper, and oh-boy am I glad I did.
I want to preface this post by sending an extreme thanks to Julia from Watch Time Events for her extreme hospitality, diligence and hard-work allowing me to bring you the content and opportunity to cover this event.
The event took place over two days on May 3rd and 4th in Downtown Los Angeles at the Hudson Loft. The Hudson Loft itself is a unique and historic building, recently renovated in the up and coming heart of Downtown Los Angeles.
Much to my disappointment I couldn't make the Friday night event (boy I missed it!) which included a full open bar, a bevy of Appetizers, and various catered food stations.
However.......
...... I made my way over on Saturday, which provided just as good as an opportunity to browse the approximate 28 watch brands as well as gain direct access and engage in open dialogue with a majority of brand CEOs, Watchmakers and Founders.
Additionally, attending on Saturday afforded the opportunity to attend the various panel discussions (Inside the Atelier: Meet the Independent Watch Brands, Hollywood Watch Collecting in partnership with The Hollywood Reporter and The Chronograph 101.
I was greeted by a beautiful red carpet and an elevator taking me up to the entrance area, where there was a very well organized foyer, a photo-op wall and Watch Time event staff, ready to check me in and allow me to enter the show.
There was plenty of complimentary coffee, tea and water available for the attendees as well as the opportunity to purchase food. Having showed up first thing in the morning I decided to help myself to a cup of coffee while I browsed the various booths and rooms featuring the various brands, eagerly awaiting the first panel discussion (Inside the Atelier: Meet the Independent Watch Brands).
The panel was hosted by Tim Mosso at WatchBox. The discussion had a great open forum environment which hosted Kari Voutiliainen, Romain Gauthier, Roland Murphy (RGM) and other brand name guests from Armin Strom, F.P. Journe and HYT.
There was some great questions from Tim and even greater insight from the entire panel. Topics included the future of the Swiss watchmaking industry, how independent brands currently deal with exposure and financing as well as dialogue regarding part sourcing, fabrication etc. It was a very informative and intimate experience well worth the time.
After the panel discussion I decided to select a few of my favorite independent watch brands and make my way over to their booth and display. Let me tell you, there were more than a few! One could spend the entire day browsing, trying on different watches and speaking with the brand representatives directly. Overall the layout, the open space environment and the excitement in the air brought about a very immersive, enjoyable and exciting event.
There was a wide breadth of watch companies represented, all with a unique variety of timepieces to try on, experiment with and ask questions about; brands ranged from Montblanc, Christophe Claret, Armin Strom, Grand Seiko, HYT and Zenith (just to name a few!).
By far the combination of the sheer beauty of the Hudson Loft, the exciting brands and casual format worked out perfectly! Los Angeles needed something like this for a while, given the major venues in Haute Horology along Rodeo, South Coast Plaza and Sunset Boulevard. I am glad Watch Time Magazine pulled this event together!
It was an amazing privilege to attend and a sincere thanks to Watch Time Magazine!
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Signing Off,
Alen
