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The Australian Financial Review’s first About Time Watch Fair took place in Sydney on 22–23 September 2023, bringing together 13 watchmakers. Jamie Weiss’s contemporaneous report singled out three experiences: Vacheron Constantin’s historical exhibition, a Grand Seiko Spring Drive watchmaking session, and Piaget’s boutique opening and hands-on activations. These were the reporter’s selected highlights, not a complete inventory or ranking of the fair.
What was the 2023 About Time Watch Fair?
The Australian Financial Review announced the inaugural prestige watch fair for Sydney on 22–23 September 2023. The announcement named 13 participating makers: Cartier, Chopard, Grand Seiko, Hublot, IWC, Jaeger-LeCoultre, Louis Vuitton, Panerai, Piaget, Ralph Lauren, Roger Dubuis, TAG Heuer and Vacheron Constantin. The AFR’s announcement attributed the event’s focus to its watch editor, Bani McSpedden: “The Financial Review pioneered coverage of the watch industry in Australia and we’re the only media outlet that covers mechanical watchmakers as the serious businesses that they have become.”
Three highlights from Jamie Weiss’s report
Weiss’s 2 October 2023 report for Time+Tide describes three distinct experiences rather than ranking the watches or claiming to cover every display.
Vacheron Constantin: rare watches and historical context
Vacheron Constantin presented its Less’Ential exhibition, bringing rare and historically significant watches from the brand’s private collection together with artwork from the Louvre. The report also says attendees could peruse current models, including the Overseas Dual Time and Historiques Corne de Vache. The draw here was the combination of historical pieces, art and contemporary watches.
#1 Best Overall
- STYLE: This Michael Kors Slim Runway mens watch features a black sunray dial, three-hand movement and black stainless steel bracelet
- CASE & DIAL: This watch for men has a round 44mm stainless steel case with a black dial; mineral crystal face resists scratches
- WATCH BAND: A mens wrist watch with a black gray stainless steel bracelet band; 22mm band width; links can be removed for a customized fit
- PRECISION TIMEKEEPING: A men's watch with Quartz movement and three-hand analog display; imported
- SWIM-READY Water Resistant: This wrist watch for men is wearable while swimming in shallow water up to 50m (165ft); 5 ATM
Grand Seiko: a close-up Spring Drive watchmaking session
Grand Seiko’s session featured Master Craftsman Ikukiyo Komatsu and offered a close-up look at the work involved in assembling a watch. The report identifies the session as focused on Spring Drive watchmaking but does not name a specific watch model shown or assembled. It is therefore best understood as a demonstration of craft rather than a model launch or product comparison.
Piaget: a boutique opening and tactile activities
Piaget timed the opening of its King Street boutique to the fair. Reported activations included a Métiers d’Or jewellery-making workshop and a cognac tasting paired with a touch-and-feel session for the Altiplano and Polo collections. This highlight combined a new retail space with hands-on and lifestyle experiences.
Rank #2
- Mens Wrist Watch: Features a classic big dial and quartz movement with stable quality. High hardness coated glass mirror is wear-resistant, scratch-proof, Butterfly double buckle ensures comfortable wear
- OLEVS Mens Watches: Unique Classic Design Analog Date Calendar Display Watch Window. Easy to Read, Classic Business Style, Stylish Casual Dress Watch, Stylish Gold Indexes and Round Case, finely designed, stand the test of time, handsome and outstanding
- Business Pointer Quartz Watch: Dial diameter is 1.6 inches (41 mm). Case thickness is 0.43 inches (11 mm), steel band width is 0.79 inches (20 mm), length is 8.66 inches (22 cm). The weight of the men's watch is 4.16 ounces (118 g)
- Fashion Gold Green Man Watch: Luminous Hands/Markers and Enlarged Date Window at Three o'clock, Stylish Watch with Roman Scale Bezel, Water Resistance Up to 30M: Usually, Suitable for Swimming, But not Suitable for Deep Diving
- Night-light Function：When Using the Luminous Pointer Function for the First Time, Please illuminate The Watch Under The Light for 30 Seconds to Activate the Luminous Function. Watch Chain Can Be Adjusted in Size
How the three experiences differed
| Brand | Reported experience | What stood out |
|---|---|---|
| Vacheron Constantin | Less’Ential exhibition, plus current models | Historical watches and Louvre artwork alongside contemporary pieces |
| Grand Seiko | Spring Drive watchmaking session with Ikukiyo Komatsu | A close-up view of watch assembly and craftsmanship |
| Piaget | King Street boutique opening, workshop and tasting | Jewellery-making and tactile engagement with the Altiplano and Polo collections |
How the 2023 fair relates to About Time Watch Weekend
The 2023 Sydney fair should not be confused with the later About Time Watch Weekend. The organizer’s official event site announced a separate 2026 edition, with Melbourne dates of 12–13 September and Sydney dates of 19–20 September 2026. That event placed watchmakers’ timepieces inside participating CBD boutiques and offered reservation access to Financial Review subscribers, who could nominate one guest. Those dates have passed. The available official information does not establish that every brand shown on the site’s selector participated in both cities.
Quick Recap
Rank #4
- Features a classic big dial and quartz movement with stable quality. High hardness coated glass mirror is wear-resistant, scratch-proof, Butterfly double buckle ensures comfortable weara
- Mirror diameter is 1.6 inches (41 mm), case thickness is 0.43 inches (11 mm), and band length is 7 inches (180 mm). The length of the watch can be adjusted, and it weighs 132 g(4.65 ounces). Maximum applicable to about an 8-9" wrist
- Luminous function can be activated by illuminating the watch under strong light for 30-40 seconds, providing a new visual experience at night. Manual includes detailed instructions for adjusting time and calendar
- Fashionable and elegant design for any man who appreciates quality and style. Versatile and stylish men's watches are suitable for any occasion, including parties, work, daily life and dating
- Water resistance for daily life, waterproof to 100 feet (30 m), generally resistant to splashing or brief submersion, but not suitable for swimming or bathing
Rank #3
- STYLISH: This Armani Exchange watch features a gold sunray dial, gold-tone stainess steel bracelet, and chronograph movement
- CASE & MOVEMENT: A men's watch with a 44mm case, 22mm band width, scratch resistant mineral crystal, accurate quartz movement with chronograph analog display, imported
- DIAL: These men's watches feature a stainless steel case with a gold dial
- WATCH BAND: Wrist watches for men with a gold-tone stainless steel bracelet; links can be removed for a customized fit
- WATER RESISTANT MENS WATCH: Up to 50m (165ft); Wearable while swimming in shallow water; 5 ATM
What the report does not establish
- It does not provide an attendance figure for the 2023 fair.
- It does not identify a specific Grand Seiko model from the Spring Drive session.
- It presents selected editorial highlights, not a full event schedule or exhaustive list of what attendees could see.
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