WatchPro Salon 2023: UK's Hottest Luxury Watch Event Returns With New Pre-Owned Lounge
As you probably know already timelords, here at Chrono Hunter, we’re all about helping you horological connoisseurs enjoy the best possible price when you buy a watch and receive the top prices paid when you sell a watch
So, when WatchPro, arguably one of the UK’s biggest industry sites announced they’d be expanding their dedicated annual event onto a second floor, complete with a brand spanking new pre-owned Lounge, we knew good things were coming.
In the same way, IWC sponsors Mercedes-AMG in the Formula 1 world, or Marvel has a thing for Audemars Piguet, the Lounge will be partnering up with eBay for 2023. The online shopping and auction site is on a mission to bring extra transparency and trust to the secondary market for luxury watches.
And of course, the weekend will be brimming with plenty of other exciting showcases. It’s show time on November 9th when there’s an exclusive black tie awards dinner at 8 Northumberland Avenue definitely deserving of your best dress piece. Furthermore, enthusiasts, collectors and hungry horophiles can fill their timekeeping boots with two days of industry previews, seminars and talks covering all that’s new and trending in the industry. It really is going to be a veritable smorgasbord for the senses…and wrists.
So without further ado, let’s reveal all we know about the upcoming WatchPro Salon 2023 event.
What Is The WatchPro Awards 2023?
The WatchPro Awards 2023 begins on the 9th of November and marks the beginning of one of the biggest weekends for the British timepiece industry.
WatchPro Salon - Andy Barnham
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The awards have been an annual spectacle for nearly a decade, beginning in 2016 at Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre on London’s Southbank. It was the first of its kind, allowing hundreds of industry leaders to collectively choose our industry’s brightest stars.
While Switzerland gets to host all the big leagues like Watches & Wonders and Geneva Watch Days, those of us on the opposite side of the Atlantic Ocean get to enjoy the annual awards ceremony and subsequent showcase from WatchPro in London.
The awards ceremony, which occurs on the evening of Thursday the 9th of November, recognises and celebrates outstanding achievements and contributions to the worlds of horology and jewellery. It gives out shiny medals to retailers, engineers and industry professionals who have demonstrated excellence in their field.
BREAKING NEWS: As always, Chrono Hunter brings you the latest scoop and nattering from the community. This time around, we can reveal those finalists who made the cut in the brand award categories. Let’s face it. The tension is as dramatic as the next Richard Mille drop
After counting up the hundreds of votes, the results for the finalists in the brand award categories have been revealed - finally! Of them all, the Luxury Watch Brand of the Year award is never shy of attention and we can now reveal the final nominees for this category are as follows:
The following day, on Friday the 10th of November, retailers, buyers and media will be invited to browse and meet with exhibiting brands in two exclusive trade previews. Think well-known, affordably priced names like Seiko, Herbelin, Sinn, Zodiac, BALL and plenty more.
The weekend draws to a palpable close on Saturday the 11th of November when the doors are opened to the public for a full day of browsing and exploring. A new addition for the WatchPro Salon 2023 is the pre-owned lounge launched in association with eBay.
On the second floor of the Londoner Hotel, the world’s first super boutique hotel, you’ll find an array of talks and discussions plus several second-hand specialists on hand to showcase vintage and modern-day timepieces from the likes of Rolex, Audemars Piguet, Omega, Patek Phillipe and Cartier.
Lucky for you timepiece aficionados, you can attend the WatchPro Salon for yourself and revel in the masses of watches on display. It’s the perfect opportunity if you’re looking to buy a watch for yourself and you need a touch of inspiration. The entire weekend will take place at The uber plush 5 star Londoner Hotel in the heart of London’s Leicester Square.
We highly recommend purchasing tickets ahead of time - we’d hate to think of you precious timelords standing out in the streets like those who joined in the madness of the Omega Moonswatch release! Is it already that time again for a new novelty? Blink and you will miss IT as the new Moonswatch Mission to Moon with its Moonshine Gold lollipop seconds hand pays homage to the illustrious Omega Speedmaster CK 2998-3 FAP from 1961.
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WatchPro Salon - Andy Barnham
Anyway, as Queen once declared (no not that one!) the show must go on!
November 9: WatchPro Awards 2023
Kicking off the fun-filled horological bonanza is the WatchPro Awards 2023. It’s a glamorous, dinner soiree filled with crisp white shirts, sparkly dresses and naturally, only the best luxury dress watches.
Taking place on Thursday 9 November at 8 Northumberland Avenue, it will play host to around 300 professionals and enthusiasts alike, eager to see if they’re taking home a gold medal. Here are some of the award categories showing on the night:
- Independent Retailer of the Year
- Best New Store of the Year by a Retailer
- Luxury Brand of the Year (this is a big one!)
- Jewellery Brand of the Year
- Affordable Luxury Brand of the Year
- British Brand of the Year
Unlike the Coronation of King Charles III, here, it’s always fascinating who will take home the crown. But most importantly, it can be a huge indicator of which companies are worth keeping a closer eye on and who are the movers or shakers this year. Don’t worry, as ever, we’re already on it, and will continue to keep you hardcore timepiece geeks up to speed with all the latest news and releases.
November 10: VIP Industry Previews
The real fun of the WatchPro Awards 2023 begins on Friday 10 November when two exclusive previews are hosted at the swanky Londoner Hotel. Time to get your glad rags on and flex your wrists for this special occasion as doors will open first thing in the morning for press, retailers and trade before later allowing VIP horologists to access the showcase.
There’ll be more brands than colours on the rainbow-inspired Zenith DEFY 21 Chroma II; you won’t know where to look first. For those wanting a tete-a-tete with a particular company, you can book private appointments with your favourites, or join the rest of the collectors and browse freely, quaffing champagne while devouring smoked salmon canapes in the other.
With that in mind, it almost feels like the perfect opportunity to try out double-wristing watches. Or if you are Buzz Aldrin, make it a hat trick of timepieces as he was recently pictured with three on the wrist. Truly out of this world!
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WatchPro Salon - Andy Barnham
In the evening, the fanciest dress watches will be out in full force once again. I’m sure we’ll see a Rolex 1908 or two perhaps. The event will provide a selection of complimentary drinks during a cocktail reception while industry experts, collectors and invited media will mingle, schmooze and network the night away over oscillating rotors, silicon hairsprings and sunray-brushed dials.
Who’s Attending?
Now in its seventh year, it makes sense that the 2023 WP Salon will be one of the biggest yet. The event will host many familiar names, as well as some smaller microbrands worthy of making introductions. Those announced so far include:
- Arcanaut
- Awake
- BALL
- Brooklands Watch Company
- Duckworth Prestex
- eBay
- Elliot Brown
- Gerald Charles
- Herbelin
- Isotope
- Luminox
- Out of Order
- Perrelet
- Robot Watch
- Seiko
- Sherpa
- Sinn
- Squale
- The Diamond Box
- Van Brauge
- Victorinox
- WOLF
- Zeitwinkel
- Zodiac
November 11: Open To The Public
After all the VIP’s have had their fill of tourbillons, moon phases and chronographs, the Salon opens to the general public on Saturday the 11th of November.
Access will be granted between 10am and 6pm giving you a full day to browse and discover new and familiar brands alike. Not only will you have access to the very latest launches from some of the world’s most innovative independent timepiece makers (yes, all those listed above), but you’ll also have the chance to sit in on several seminars and discussions.
The industry is as fast changing as the TAG Heuer’s on Ryan Gosling’s wrist, so it’s an incredible opportunity to sit down with leading industry experts to get their opinions on horological happenings. We’ve been told the seminar programme is still evolving but already there are plenty of exciting highlights to look forward to.
WatchPro Salon - Andy Barnham
For those looking to buy a watch, you might be interested in sitting at Ken Kessler’s seminar on collecting. Kessler and a panel of experts will be discussing the world of second-hand watches and debating the trends that have shaped the market in recent years. No doubt we’ll hear Rolex mentioned more times than there are markers on a dial.
In addition, there will be WatchPro editor Tracey Llewellyn discussing the role of women in the horology world as well as Robert-Jan Broer, founder of Fratello, giving tips on how to run a successful online magazine. During these cosy fireside talks and discussions, the second floor above will be hosting an entirely new treat for the event: a luxury pre-owned lounge full of second-hand watches and retailers.
We’re salivating already and it’s not even Christmas!
The Pre-Owned Lounge In Conjunction With eBay
Just like how the colour blue is dominating dials everywhere, WatchPro are taking over the Londoner Hotel by expanding, for the first time, onto the second floor. Here, you’ll find a luxury lounge focused entirely on second-hand timepieces. The lounge is sponsored by eBay who wants to bring clarity and trust back into the pre-owned market.
eBay will have their own presentation and be marketing their Authenticity Guarantee for watches bought and sold on their site. The tool allows all luxury purchases over £1,500 made on eBay to be physically inspected by experts before being shipped to the buyer or returned to the seller. It’s a nice touch, we’ll give them that.
But does it beat Chrono Hunter’s handpicked network of the best luxury retailers, multiple offers, quick turnaround and peerless service?
Our survey says…we think not.
WatchPro Salon - Andy Barnham
Up on the second floor, you’ll find second-hand specialists like Bloombar, The Diamond Box and Tempus Lord unveiling their own collections. While downstairs will be largely focused on smaller, independent brands, up here, it’s likely you’ll find those rare Daytonas, Navitimers and Speedmasters you’ve been looking for.
This is definitely a good spot to hang out and meet like minded collectors looking to buy a watch or sell a watch.
Conclusion
So there you have it…fresh off the horological press, a comprehensive guide to everything you can expect at this year’s WatchPro Awards 2023 and the showcase that follows it. There’s plenty of action to be had, whether you’re looking to simply explore some new independent brands, buy something new or learn more about the second-hand market.
Did someone mention the pre-owned market? Whether looking at new or second hand timepieces, Chrono Hunter will also be in attendance during the cocktail reception and all through Saturday, so take a minute to say hello and bend our horological ears about all things pre-owned, the state of the market or luxury watches!
There’s still time to join us and buy tickets for WatchPro Salon 2023 if you’re quick. Simply visit here to buy tickets for the two day event.
The awards alone will no doubt highlight some brands worthy of recognition, but who will take the spoils? Sadly, it’s out of our hands but it’s definitely all very exciting. Nevertheless, let’s not forget that if you aren’t in the mood or don’t have a spare second to make it down to London this month, we can still assist with the ultimate wristwear for your collection or big time bucket list.
We’ll see you on Friday the 10th.
Looking to buy a Rolex? Or maybe buy an Omega at the best possible price? Be it Patek Philippe, Audemars Piguet, Vacheron Constantin or any other top luxury brand, Chrono Hunter can deliver the best possible prices in the safest and most secure environment.
Our talented team of horologists are ready and waiting to reach out to our large network of trusted luxury retailers to give you multiple offers on all manner of luxury watches. Simply accept the offer that’s right for you and conclude the deal with the retailer directly.
Maybe you’ve already got one too many timepieces in your collection and you’re ready to part with one? Sell your watch with Chrono Hunter and never get a raw deal, thanks to our unrivalled brand expertise and market know-how. We can ascertain the true value of your timepiece where each sale is as unique as our customers.
You never know what one of your vintage models could be worth. Discuss with Chrono Hunter today and we will endeavour to provide a no-obligation estimate based on current market conditions. With hundreds of five star reviews on Trustpilot, we are known for our outstanding service, first rate efficiency and thorough market expertise.
To get started, contact us or download our dedicated app available on both Apple and Android devices.
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Additional Reading:
Watches & Wonders 2023: Our Stand-Out Timepieces from Geneva
Chrono Hunter’s Rundown Of The Best New Watches in 2023 So Far
Buy Or Sell A Luxury Watch The Smart Way With Chrono Hunter
If you are considering your new purchase or perhaps the sale of a beloved timepiece, Chrono Hunter is the smart way to buy or sell a luxury watch.
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