This article is written by Club Member John O’Connor

The historic Halle St Peter’s venue in Manchester came alive on November 9th, 2024, hosting the eagerly anticipated Manchester Watch Show. The event, which sold out in under 24 hours, brought together watch enthusiasts and manufacturers in a celebration of horological craftsmanship that exceeded all expectations. 

24 prestigious watch brands (we would have had 25 but for Marloe having a breakdown on the way!) showcased their collections, offering attendees the rare opportunity to experience their timepieces firsthand. The intimate setting allowed visitors to engage directly with designers, founders, and craftspeople, creating meaningful connections between creators and collectors.

The Watch Collectors’ Club, represented by Co-Founders Hamish and Ed alongside us volunteers – myself, Michal and Hrishi, put into practice the club’s mission of fostering in-person connections among watch enthusiasts. It was such a pleasure to be able to share that joy with so many of you in Manchester. “Thank you so much for putting something on up North! When is the next one?” became the day’s recurring question, highlighting the pent-up demand for horological events outside of traditionally London-centric locations.

the volunteer team for The Manchester Watch Show from The Watch Collectors Club, wearing grey club shirts standing in a line with hands clasped in front, five men

Among the highlights was Christopher Ward’s presentation of their latest releases, including the newly launched guilloché Bel Canto, which drew consistent crowds throughout both sessions. This watch was announced a mere 9 days before the show, already demonstrating the show’s significance in the watch industry calendar.

large Christopher Ward Bel Canto Classic watch with guilloche green dial, grey titanium case and elaborate sounding mechanism

While established brands drew significant attention, the show also spotlighted smaller manufacturers like Harold Pinchbeck, whose representatives shared insights into their hand-assembly process in Lincoln. These interactions with independent watchmakers provided a refreshing counterpoint to the industry’s larger Swiss houses, embodying The Watch Collectors’ Club’s commitment to celebrating horology at all scales. As a member of 2 years and counting, I get to see a lot of watches from almost every brand I can name. It can be easy to become a little desensitised! It’s putting names and faces to the people behind the brands that keeps that passion for watches alive for me, so I’d encourage you to join if your main outlet is looking at renders on a screen.

The success of the Manchester Watch Show demonstrated the enduring appeal of in-person watch events and the vibrancy of the UK’s watch community beyond London. By bringing together enthusiasts, makers, and collectors in a single venue, the show created an environment where the shared passion for horology could flourish, setting a promising precedent for future events in the region.

The Watch Collectors’ Club are already planning next year’s show in Manchester in early November, and you can register your interest here so you don’t miss out on tickets going on sale next summer. The Club is also hoping to hold Meetups and Events in Manchester early in the New Year. Register your interest in those here. Finally, the Club’s next large show will be in Glasgow on May 10th 2025.