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The Australian Financial Review’s first About Time Watch Fair took place in Sydney on 22–23 September 2023. In his contemporaneous report, Time+Tide’s Jamie Weiss singled out three distinct experiences: a Vacheron Constantin historical exhibition, a Grand Seiko Spring Drive watchmaking session, and Piaget activations tied to a new Sydney boutique.
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. Its announcement named 13 participating watchmakers: Cartier, Chopard, Grand Seiko, Hublot, IWC, Jaeger-LeCoultre, Louis Vuitton, Panerai, Piaget, Ralph Lauren, Roger Dubuis, TAG Heuer and Vacheron Constantin. The AFR announcement also quoted 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.”
There is no attendance figure established for the 2023 fair in the sources cited here. The highlights below are Jamie Weiss’s editorial selections, not a complete event schedule or a ranking of every brand and display.
What were the reported highlights?
Vacheron Constantin: a historical exhibition and current watches
Vacheron Constantin brought its Less’Ential exhibition, featuring rare and historically significant watches from the brand’s private collection alongside artwork from the Louvre. Weiss also noted that attendees could see current models including the Overseas Dual Time and Historiques Corne de Vache. The emphasis was on the contrast between heritage pieces and watches available in the brand’s contemporary collections.
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- 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: Spring Drive watchmaking up close
Grand Seiko hosted a Spring Drive watchmaking session with Master Craftsman Ikukiyo Komatsu. Weiss described it as a close-up view of the work involved in assembling a Grand Seiko watch. The report does not identify a specific model used in the session, so it is best understood as a demonstration of the craft rather than a model showcase.
Piaget: boutique opening and hands-on activities
Piaget timed the opening of its King Street boutique to coincide with the fair. Its reported activities included a Métiers d’Or Atelier jewellery-making workshop and a cognac tasting paired with a touch-and-feel session for the Altiplano and Polo collections. Of the three selected highlights, this one combined a new retail space with practical and lifestyle-oriented experiences.
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- 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 did the three experiences differ?
| Brand | Reported experience | What visitors encountered |
|---|---|---|
| Vacheron Constantin | Historical exhibition | Rare watches from the private collection, Louvre artwork and selected current models, including the Overseas Dual Time and Historiques Corne de Vache. |
| Grand Seiko | Watchmaking session | A Spring Drive assembly demonstration featuring Master Craftsman Ikukiyo Komatsu; no specific watch model was named in the report. |
| Piaget | Boutique opening and activations | A jewellery-making workshop, cognac tasting and hands-on look at the Altiplano and Polo collections at the new King Street boutique. |
These are different kinds of access rather than competing watch recommendations: historical context at Vacheron Constantin, a view of watch assembly at Grand Seiko, and a boutique-based mix of craft and product interaction at Piaget. Weiss’s full report covers the three selections.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How does the 2023 fair relate to About Time Watch Weekend?
The 2023 Sydney fair should not be confused with the later event announced by the AFR as the About Time Watch Weekend. The organizer’s official event site listed Melbourne for 12–13 September 2026 and Sydney for 19–20 September 2026, with participating watchmakers presenting timepieces inside their CBD boutiques. Access was by reservation for Financial Review subscribers, who could nominate one guest.
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- 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
Those 2026 dates have passed. The site’s retrieved information does not establish which brands participated in each city, so it should not be used to infer a city-by-city lineup or to expand the list of brands announced for the 2023 fair.
Quick Recap
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- 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
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