WatchTime New York 2026 Breaks Attendance Records With 3,000 Visitors

WatchTime New York 2026 Welcomes Record Numbers at Gotham Hall

Held beneath the distinctive domed ceiling of Gotham Hall in Manhattan, WatchTime New York has become an established part of New York Watch Week. Its 11th edition continued the event's focus on connecting enthusiasts with the watchmakers, designers and executives responsible for the timepieces on display.

The exhibition attracted 3,000 attendees over three days, with Friday's opening reception welcoming 625 guests. Visitors explored collections from 48 participating brands, compared different approaches to watchmaking and discussed individual models with representatives of the manufacturers.

The opening evening brought together several prominent figures from independent and traditional watchmaking. Among those attending were MB&F founder Maximilian Büsser, independent watchmaker Kari Voutilainen, Chopard's Karl-Friedrich Scheufele and Urwerk co-founder Martin Frei.

Other industry representatives included Armin Strom's Claude Greisler and Serge Michel, Bell & Ross co-founder Carlos Rosillo, H. Moser & Cie.'s Bertrand Meylan, Parmigiani Fleurier's Guido Terreni, Oris's Rolf Studer and Moritz Grossmann founder Christine Hutter.

Actors and watch collectors Aldis Hodge and Fred Savage also attended the opening reception, reflecting the event's connections with enthusiasts beyond the professional watch industry.

Alongside the exhibition, organisers arranged a separately ticketed collector dinner on the mezzanine level. Sponsored by U.S. Bank Private Wealth Management, the three-course dinner offered another opportunity for collectors and industry representatives to meet outside the main exhibition floor.

Nine Watch Brands Make Their New York Exhibition Debut

One of the defining features of WatchTime New York 2026 was the arrival of nine first-time exhibitors. Their participation broadened the range of watchmaking styles represented at the event, from traditional mechanical craftsmanship to contemporary independent designs.

The nine brands making their WatchTime New York debut were:

• Jacob & Co., recognised for elaborate mechanical complications and unconventional watch designs.

• Kollokium, an independent watchmaking project known for its unconventional design approach.

• Kudoke, a German independent watchmaker specialising in traditional mechanical watchmaking and hand-finishing.

• Gérald Genta, a watchmaking name associated with distinctive case designs and mechanical complications.

• Daniel Roth, recognised for its characteristic double-ellipse cases and traditional haute horlogerie.

• Singer, known for contemporary chronographs and distinctive mechanical displays.

• Ferdinand Berthoud, a high-end watch manufacturer specialising in sophisticated mechanical movements.

• Schwarz Etienne, a Swiss manufacturer producing mechanical watches and movements.

• Keris, which joined the exhibition as another first-time participant.

These exhibitors appeared alongside returning manufacturers and independent specialists, allowing visitors to compare different approaches to movement construction, case architecture, dial finishing and mechanical complications.

Brands such as Kudoke, Ferdinand Berthoud and Daniel Roth offered examples of watchmaking rooted in traditional craftsmanship. Meanwhile, Jacob & Co. and Kollokium represented more unconventional approaches to contemporary watch design.

Visitors could examine the watches at close range, assess their proportions on the wrist and speak directly with brand representatives. This hands-on format provided an opportunity to explore details that can be difficult to appreciate through photographs or technical specifications alone.

New Watch Releases and Independent Watchmaking Take Centre Stage

New and recently introduced watches were among the main attractions throughout the weekend. Several manufacturers presented their latest creations to collectors, while others showcased models that had recently joined their collections.

Brands unveiling or displaying new and recent releases included Ressence, Bell & Ross, MB&F, Urwerk, Oris, Frederique Constant, Ming, Massena LAB and Fortis.

The range of exhibitors reflected the variety of approaches found in contemporary mechanical watchmaking. Established manufacturers appeared alongside smaller independent businesses, offering visitors the chance to explore different designs, movement architectures and complications within the same exhibition.

Independent watchmaking was particularly well represented. The presence of Kari Voutilainen, Maximilian Büsser and Martin Frei gave enthusiasts opportunities to meet individuals closely associated with the development of distinctive modern mechanical watches.

For collectors, these interactions offered more than a conventional product presentation. Visitors could examine watches in person and speak directly with brand representatives and watchmakers, gaining a closer understanding of the designs and craftsmanship behind the models on display.

The event also featured activities beyond watch presentations. Jean Rousseau operated its Tailor Your Watch strap bar, allowing visitors to explore different leather options, colours and finishes. Additional hospitality included Chandon wine and spritz cocktails, along with Jefferson's Bourbon tastings.

These activities complemented the exhibition's focus on personal interaction, with visitors moving between watch displays, informal discussions and organised events throughout the weekend.

Ryan Reynolds and Industry Experts Discuss Watch Collecting

The 2026 programme extended beyond new products to examine the motivations behind watch collecting and the changing interests of enthusiasts.

Saturday's panel, titled Why We Collect: The Many Paths of Watch Collecting, featured actor and collector Ryan Reynolds alongside MB&F founder Maximilian Büsser. The discussion was moderated by Aldis Hodge, who is also a watchmaker and collector.

The participants explored their personal experiences with watches, the appeal of particular timepieces and the different paths that lead enthusiasts towards building collections.

Their discussion addressed the personal side of collecting, including the experiences and interests that influence which watches enthusiasts choose to acquire. This perspective complemented the technical and design-focused presentations taking place elsewhere at the exhibition.

On Sunday, attention shifted towards neo-vintage watches during a panel examining the category's popularity and potential future direction.

The discussion was moderated by collector Jeffrey Kingston and featured Paul Boutros, Andrea Casalegno, Tim Green and Steven Rostovsky.

Neo-vintage watches occupy the space between traditional vintage collecting and contemporary production. The category has no universally accepted date range and often attracts enthusiasts interested in discontinued references and distinctive designs from earlier generations.

These watches can appeal to collectors seeking models that are no longer manufactured, including examples with design characteristics and mechanical movements that differ from those found in current collections.

By including discussions about collecting motivations and neo-vintage trends, WatchTime New York provided a broader perspective on the interests shaping the contemporary enthusiast community.

The record attendance at WatchTime New York 2026 demonstrated the event's ability to bring together established collectors, independent watchmakers and major manufacturers. With 48 exhibiting brands, nine first-time participants and a programme combining new releases with specialist discussions, the 11th edition reinforced its position as an important annual gathering for the international watch community.