WatchTime NY: Highlights and Takeaways for Collectors

From October 16 to 18, Gotham Hall in Manhattan became the center of the horological world. How? WatchTime New York, of course. This annual occurrence has become a staple of the fall calendar for United States-based collectors and haute horlogerie enthusiasts. While larger, more established watch events might dominate the news cycle, WatchTime New York is without a doubt worth your attention.

This year’s event brought in sizable attendance, numerous brands, and an exhibition floor virtually pulsating with excitement. From staple brands to independent watchmakers, the exhibitors at this event showed off their finest wears and most creative innovations to a crowd of watch lovers unlike any other. For a city where fashion reigns supreme, it is no surprise that there is a significant local conglomerate of dedicated watch collectors. And this past weekend, this faction descended upon Gotham Hall to get up close and personal with the latest in watchmaking. Move over, Geneva. New York City has arrived.

WatchTime New York took place this past weekend at Manhattan’s Gotham Hall. The storied event attracts watch collectors and enthusiasts from across the globe, and this year, it featured a record 48 watch brands. This year’s WatchTime event also drew record-breaking crowds for its 11th year in action, cementing its enviable status as one of the key events in American watch collecting culture.

The festival’s Friday evening programming was entirely sold out, ushering an impressive 3,000 attendees into the event space. WatchTime prides itself on bringing together designers, executives, brand representatives, and collectors, combining all different sides of the watch industry for a unique fusion of perspectives and priorities. The domed ceiling and glamorous architecture of Gotham Hall proved the perfect backdrop for this upscale event.

Elite luxury watches were not the only thing on the menu, however. The weekend’s events included panels with famous collectors and brand spokespeople alike, covering topics like “Why We Collect.” Attendees also got the chance to enjoy activities like bourbon tasting, sponsored by Jefferson’s Reserve, an opening night cocktail party, a “Tailor Your Watch” leather strap bar, and much more.

The watch brand lineup itself warrants further attention. With nearly 50 brands displaying their wares and sponsoring various events and booths throughout the weekend, WatchTime is truly becoming a collector’s paradise for those based in the United States. Nine of the brands at this year’s event made their WatchTime debut this year, with new additions including Gérald Genta, Daniel Roth, Singer, Keris, and others. The combination of established watchmaking houses and independent brands is part of what makes WatchTime so unique.

Wondering exactly which brands attended WatchTime New York in 2026? These are the 48 brands that were a part of this year’s event:

Armin Strom, Arnold & Son, Artime, Artisans de Genève, Bell & Ross, Bianchet, Blancpain, Chopard, Chronoswiss, Citizen, Czapek, Daniel Roth, Fears, Fortis, Ferdinand and Berthoud, Frederique Constant, G-Shock, Gerald Charles, Gérald Genta, Glashütte, Hautlence, H. Moser & Cie., Jacob & Co., Keris, kollokium, Kudoke, Laurent Ferrier, Louis Erard, L. Leroy, Massena Lab, MB&F, Ming, Moritz Grossmann, Norqain, Oris Hölstein, Parmigiani Fleurier, Perrelet, Piaget, Ressence, RGM, Sarpaneva, Schwarz Etienne, Singer, Ulysse Nardin, Urwerk, Voutilainen, Zeitwinkel, Zenith

You might notice that some of the world’s most famous Swiss watchmakers, such as Rolex, Richard Mille, Audemars Piguet, and Patek Philippe, were not represented at WatchTime. For some collectors, that might be a dealbreaker. But for others, that is the whole point. Branching away from the pressures and restrictions of traditional haute horlogerie is sometimes what opens the doors to unprecedented innovation from these lesser-known brands. For watch collectors who strive to be at the forefront of the industry, WatchTime New York is a cannot-miss event to add to your calendar.

WatchTime New York also brought us a whole slate of new releases this year, some of which made more of an impact than others. These are some of our favorites.

Massena LAB brought us a collaboration with Atelier Wen, featuring limited edition timepieces made from Tantalum. Gerard Charles dropped a masterful perpetual calendar watch, the most complicated piece the maison has attempted since its revival in 2019. The latest installment in MB&F’s Special Project One line was also a head-turner, as was Parmigiani’s newest release (it was actually launched at Watches & Wonders, but those who could not make the trip to Geneva delighted in seeing it on display here).

Frederique Constant released an updated Worldtimer watch, complete with a map dial outlining the seven continents. It might just serve as a more accessible version of our holy grail travel time watch, the Patek Philippe World Time.

We would also be remiss not to mention the latest from Gerald Genta’s eponymous brand, which harkened back to the designer’s 1970s roots and his impressive legacy with regard to the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak and Patek Philippe Nautilus. All in all, the 48 brands at WatchTime New York put on a highly impressive show.

Though the chance to attend this year’s WatchTime New York event is now behind us, you can always plan ahead for next year. The dates for WatchTime New York 2027 have not been announced yet, and tickets are not yet on sale. Still, we can take a look at the 2026 ticket prices and structure to get a closer look at how 2027 might play out.

For this year’s event, there were four different categories of tickets: Friday VIP, Friday VIP + Dinner, Collector Panels, and Weekend Day Passes. In short, a Friday night ticket bought you access to the entire WatchTime weekend and the opening night cocktail party. What did the prices look like?

A Friday VIP ticket, which included entry for Saturday and Sunday as well, would set you back about $250 for the 2026 event. This ticket included bar access and specialty cocktails. For a truly elite experience, however, some dedicated collectors and A-list attendees opted for the Friday VIP + Dinner package, which granted them access to a catered dinner event on the mezzanine floor of Gotham Hall. The dinner was sponsored by a wealth management firm and allowed high-end collectors a unique opportunity to connect and discuss the horological world. This upscale package also included all of the accoutrements of the standard Friday VIP ticket, but it cost a less accessible $725 per guest.

For those operating on a lower budget, weekend day passes and collector panel tickets were much more attainable. Single-day general admission tickets for Saturday and Sunday cost about $50 each and gave attendees access to the exhibition floor as well as brand activations and tastings. Collector panels were ticketed separately and cost $25 per attendee. While these prices might rise slightly for the 2027 event, these ballpark ranges should give you a good idea of how to budget if you are hoping to attend the next iteration of WatchTime New York.

The ethos of WatchTime New York is somewhat different than that of other watch showcases and festivals around the world. WatchTime was founded on the idea that attendees do not just want to view the watches themselves: They want access. Access to the people behind the watches, access to the ideas dominating the watch world, simply access.

To the seasoned urbanites of New York City, access is everything. A watch without a story is no watch at all. And emerging, independent watchmakers whose leadership teams and brand representatives are excited and eager to make connections with potential customers? That is a match made in heaven.

As such, it makes sense that WatchTime has found its home amidst the hustle and bustle of Manhattan. The festival’s entrepreneurial spirit matches the attendee’s go-getter attitudes and persistent determination to find not just the best watch, but the best watch for them. Personalization, individuality, and creativity are all part of the appeal of WatchTime New York.

At Avi & Co.’s Manhattan location, you will find the same commitment to excellence and personality. Our collection of elite timepieces includes award-winning major brands as well as independent maisons like F.P. Journe and jewelry-horologist hybrids like Cartier. Our mission is not to sell you the most popular watch around. It is to find the watch that speaks to you. Next time you visit Manhattan for WatchTime New York, be sure to stop by our 47th Street boutique and experience luxury on your very own wrist.

Here at Avi & Co., we specialize in renowned luxury watch brands from around the globe, including Rolex, Richard Mille, Audemars Piguet, and Patek Philippe. Our timepieces range the full gamut of styles, from elegant and refined to sporty and adventurous. When you visit one of our three boutiques, do not forget to explore our own Avi & Co. watch lines as well as our decadent Diamonds by Avi & Co. jewelry line, perfect for the sophisticated modern woman.

Stop by one of our stores today or book a time to shop with us via private appointment. We cannot wait to offer you a warm welcome into our Avi & Co. family.