The case for a consumer-focused luxury watch experience - designed entirely for collectors; not media, not dealers. Multi-thousand attendees. Premium global arena. Authentic brand storytelling. Direct craftsman-to-collector conversations. This will change everything.
Sounds promising, exciting… to be fair it sounds like the usual garbage except that this time it’s coming from a person I totally trust and will deliver, so looking forward to it!
Europe or Asia for now. Safety first, is the rationale. Will finalise in the next 1-2 months; shortlist is, very short now. In talks with locals and in conversations with venues about rates and dates.
Wouldn't say that, I was just surprised that you are involved in an industry event after having taken a position as an outsider and critic all this time. I hope it doesn't affect the objectivity of your writing. If it turns into the watch collecting version of Fyre Festival I am going to think of you as Ja Flum. But good luck, I hope it's an amazing success that transforms this industry
lol I’d bet any amount of cash you’d never hesitate to give me sh1t if you ever suspected I’m being soft on some brand. But tbh, I remain an outsider even with this event. This isn’t some hard sell - brands which don’t participate will just miss out on an opportunity and perhaps they’ll come and observe, and then participate next time. Plus, I don’t think I’ve ever been unfair in my writing to the point where anything I say is pure slander - and often, when brands engage with me and clarify, it ends up being a positive exchange with them. So really, over time, I think objectivity is actually worth more to the brands than the opposite. We already have the Wei Koh’s of the world who do a particular job for brands and I don’t see any value in going down that path; event or no event.
What if I dictate and use speech-to-text for SDC? Likely not in the USA; will be a country which is extremely safe for luxury watch wearers. There is a shortlist, and we’re finalising this decision by the end of September, latest, but hopefully before that. Event timing ca. Nov 2026.
looking forward to such events, as long as it is really focused on collectors' education and engagement, and not just another one of those watch exhibitions where attendees only take photos/reels and learn nothing but only the price and no. of pieces available.
Really interesting. As an attendee of a lot of the events you list, and a one-time contributor to SalonQP, admittedly on the spoiled-rotten-press side, I'd love to hear more about what's going to be different about The Escapement. Congrats for taking the initiative!
Sounds promising, exciting… to be fair it sounds like the usual garbage except that this time it’s coming from a person I totally trust and will deliver, so looking forward to it!
Fuck yeah. This is awesome 🙌
Best news ever!! Onward and upward!!
On which continent will the event take place?
Europe or Asia for now. Safety first, is the rationale. Will finalise in the next 1-2 months; shortlist is, very short now. In talks with locals and in conversations with venues about rates and dates.
I got confused for a sec and scrolled back to the top of the article to make sure I had the right substack...
Sounds like a bad thing
Wouldn't say that, I was just surprised that you are involved in an industry event after having taken a position as an outsider and critic all this time. I hope it doesn't affect the objectivity of your writing. If it turns into the watch collecting version of Fyre Festival I am going to think of you as Ja Flum. But good luck, I hope it's an amazing success that transforms this industry
lol I’d bet any amount of cash you’d never hesitate to give me sh1t if you ever suspected I’m being soft on some brand. But tbh, I remain an outsider even with this event. This isn’t some hard sell - brands which don’t participate will just miss out on an opportunity and perhaps they’ll come and observe, and then participate next time. Plus, I don’t think I’ve ever been unfair in my writing to the point where anything I say is pure slander - and often, when brands engage with me and clarify, it ends up being a positive exchange with them. So really, over time, I think objectivity is actually worth more to the brands than the opposite. We already have the Wei Koh’s of the world who do a particular job for brands and I don’t see any value in going down that path; event or no event.
Slander is spoken, when it’s written it’s libel. If it happens in New York I’m coming!
What if I dictate and use speech-to-text for SDC? Likely not in the USA; will be a country which is extremely safe for luxury watch wearers. There is a shortlist, and we’re finalising this decision by the end of September, latest, but hopefully before that. Event timing ca. Nov 2026.
Yes that’s fine then, you’ve found the loophole, great job!
Amazing news! Can’t wait to hear more about it 🤩👏
Omg! Super exciting 🤩
Nice! Looking forward to hearing more!
Hopefully this event will be accessible in multiple markets? North America, Europe, Asia etc? Eager to learn more!
First event will be in Europe or Asia. Subsequent ones will be in other locations. Ultimate goal is to bring it to all
looking forward to such events, as long as it is really focused on collectors' education and engagement, and not just another one of those watch exhibitions where attendees only take photos/reels and learn nothing but only the price and no. of pieces available.
Will reveal more soon enough, but yes, it is exactly that…
Really interesting. As an attendee of a lot of the events you list, and a one-time contributor to SalonQP, admittedly on the spoiled-rotten-press side, I'd love to hear more about what's going to be different about The Escapement. Congrats for taking the initiative!
Thanks Chris. Will set something up to show you more in the coming months.
Beyond exciting! I want to know more details about The Escapement!
Sounds exciting; I hope that you are able to realize this vision.
Cheers Brad - looks promising so far. 😁
Will only major brands be able to afford to join in?
Not at all. Many smaller independents are friends of ours… it’d be a shame to exclude them!
You have my attention, sir.
Can’t wait for The Escapement and can’t think of a better person to be involved 🙏🏼