Watches & Wonders 2014: An Attendee's Perspective

psychotic · 2014-10-02T18:33:22Z

Explore a collector's candid experience at Watches & Wonders 2014, with behind-the-scenes photos, event insights, and brand highlights from Audemars Piguet, Richard Mille, and Cartier.

psychotic

WPS member · Horological Meandering forum

16 replies3605 views27 photos

Psychotic's recap of Watches & Wonders 2014 offers a candid, behind-the-scenes look at the event, moving beyond official press releases to capture the true atmosphere. His personal anecdotes and diverse photo selection provide a unique perspective on the luxury watch fair experience. This post is particularly valuable for understanding the event's early years and how it felt from a collector's standpoint.

16 collectors discussing this on the WatchProSite forumJoin the Conversation →

Well, a fun 2nd year of W & W has passed and despite a lower than expected turnout (due to the protesters outside), everyone who attended had smiles on their faces.

Here's my take on the event:

Pigging out on the super-sweet AP chocolate…

Before:

After:

And then guzzling the free-flowing champagne probably wasn't the wisest decision.

The food was good though!

As was the reading material. (note to self: take magazines on the way out next time)

2nd note to self: fiddling around with the calibre in the Mont Blanc booth is harder to do when you are slightly buzzed!

Here's an eclectic selection of my other pics:

For the 2nd year in a roll, I started at the Richard Mille booth.

I wonder if they take down payments on my first born child?

Wifey then dragged me into the Cartier booth…

She also liked the Van Cleef booth...

…however, she didn't drop her biggest hints to her next birthday present until we were pulled into the VIP room of the AP booth:

What's that, honey? You want a quartz powered AP? It has what? Internally Flawless (IF) grade diamonds on the bezel?

I told her I'll "think" about it. =P

I also tried on the ROO Chronograph Tourbillon. Regretfully, I was oooing and awwing that watch too much to remember taking photos for it. =(

More pics:

A bit too large for my wrists...

Picture taken right against the magnifying glass at the A. Lange booth.

The Vacheron Constantin booth had a special display going for the Patrimony.

Year in-year out, one might argue that the booths and display show similar things. From a consumer's point of view, one might say, "if you've been to one exhibition, you've been to them all!"

I disagree.

For me as a watch enthusiast, I enjoy the atmosphere. I enjoy the company of total strangers sitting together and sharing our collected passion for fine timepieces. I'm still relatively new to this hobby and I find myself learning something new each time I go.

Here's looking forward to W & W 2015!

This message has been edited by psychotic on 2014-10-02 19:00:38

Key Points from the Discussion

The structural integrity of the exhibition booths in 2013 was questionable, with floors wobbling, especially in larger brand areas like Cartier and Lange. This issue, which affected the luxurious feel of the displays, was likely addressed by Cartier's influence in subsequent years.
The Montblanc booth offered an interactive experience where attendees could attempt to regulate a hairspring, a task made significantly more challenging after enjoying the event's complimentary champagne.
Watches & Wonders has three main guest lists: Media, Brand, and Dealer, each with VIP and Regular tiers. The entry difficulty is considered halfway between Baselworld and SIHH, with exhibiting brands typically from the SIHH group.
A major indentation in the ground was observed in the AP booth, suggesting ongoing structural issues at the HKCEC venue despite efforts to improve the exhibition's professionalism.
Only VIP guests were generally allowed entry on the first day of the exhibition, indicating a tiered access system for attendees.

The Discussion

amanico

Oct 2, 2014

Thanks for your pictorial report. One question....

Compared to the SIHH, is WW reserved to some " happy fews ", or is ti allowed to public in general? I find many similarities between SIHH and WW, but I don't know if WW is allowed the the public. I agree with your last sentence. This kind of event allow you to meet people / friends you didn't see for a while. Best, Nicolas

psychotic

Oct 2, 2014

W&W is open to anybody with an invitation

…but that invitation is pretty easy to acquire through your favourite AD.

MTF

Oct 3, 2014

Watches and Wonders open to 3 types of visitors

Nico Ostensibly, there are 3 guest lists: Media guests. Brand guests. Dealer guests. But as in Life, there are two tiers in each list...VIP and Regular ;) I would say W&W is halfway between Baselworld and SIHH in entry difficulty. Generally, the brands exhibiting are from SIHH gang by command from up high from the FHH founders. Regards, MTF

amanico

Oct 3, 2014

Thanks for this precision, Melvyn. [nt]

lhk1

Oct 4, 2014

Ah...I didn't know media guess has 2 tiers.

In general, only VIP guess are allowed to enter on the 1st day exhibition. Regards Ling

jrwong23 (aka watchthebin)

Oct 2, 2014

Wonderful photo report, thanks for sharing my friend!

Was very glad to meet you finally during W&W! Your photos are great, thanks for sharing here. Glad you visited the Montblanc booth and tried regulating the hair spring :) Nice right? I only had coffee and water before I tried it and I still struggled. With alcoholic drinks, it would have been an epic failure for me! :p Cheers robin

Continue the conversation

This thread is active on the Horological Meandering forum with 16 replies. Share your knowledge with fellow collectors.

Join the Discussion →