Watchpro awards 2
Leaders of the UK watch industry come together to celebrate their achievements for the annual WatchPro Awards in London.

UPDATED: WatchPro Live events pull Britain’s watch community together

After a year without any significant watch shows in our calendar, WatchPro has said enough is enough and committed to filling the vacuum with a series of events for watch lovers this year.

After a year without any significant watch shows in our calendar, WatchPro has said enough is enough and committed to filling the vacuum with a series of events this year.

With the government aiming to have “all legal limits on social contact removed” by the midsummer’s day, the firing gun has been fired on a second half of the year when watch brands, retailers, media and consumers can finally mix.

With the closure of Salon QP in 2019, British watch collectors and enthusiasts have had no opportunity to see new watches from some of the world’s finest watchmakers together in one place for two years.

WatchPro is stepping in with a brand new event, WatchPro Salon, which will take place in London from November 12 to 13. The prestigious showcase will be a chance to meet incredible independent watchmakers and try on pieces from some of the biggest brands.

WatchPro Salon takes place the day after this year’s WatchPro Awards, which return for a fifth year on November 11.

This means the cream of British retailers will be in London, and there will be a brunch in the Salon’s hotel for these retailers along with press and brand executives who will then be offered exclusive access and private meetings at the exhibition.

Lucy Cheesewright has been appointed head of WatchPro Live. She was one of the architects and event director of Salon QP in its prime years, and expects WatchPro Salon to make an even greater impact.

“There has never been a greater need for watchmakers to get close to their customers but it is increasingly difficult to do so. Retailers are focusing on fewer banker brands, but watch lovers want to see inspiring pieces beyond the mainstream blockbusters, particularly from independent watchmakers, which are having an extraordinary impact on the industry and unprecedented success right now. WatchPro Salon is an opportunity to present some of the world’s most exciting watches to collectors, journalists and retailers at a single luxurious boutique event,” she describes.

WatchPro.com is read by around 250,000 watch enthusiasts in addition to 10,000 watch trade executives every month.

Unlike some titles, WatchPro reports on the entire market from bottom to top, and WatchPro Live is taking a similar approach to physical events by launching WatchPro Market as a mass participation show that contrasts with the more exclusive WatchPro Salon.

WatchPro Market will take place twice this year, a summer edition will launch over a long weekend from August 20 to 22 while a Christmas edition will take place over three days from December 10 to 12.

Both will be at Truman Brewery, a former industrial site in Shoreditch that is now London’s most visited market district.

A deep tech start-up conference is coming to the truman brewery on brick lane in september! – haggerston times
Truman Brewery is the epicentre of East London’s social life.

WatchPro Market will take place right alongside the capital’s most vibrant street food market, vintage market, craft market and live entertainment pop ups and the emphasis will be on introducing fantastic watches that people can buy on the day. Many of the watch brands will be digital natives that rarely get the chance to present their timepieces to customers before they buy.

“WatchPro Market will intentionally have fewer frills than Salon, but that is part of its appeal as it will have all of the buzz you get every weekend at Truman Brewery and Spitalfield Market; a great atmosphere to introduce some truly innovative and exciting brands. We expect around 40 exhibitors to see thousands of potential watch customers over the two weekends we are open,” Ms Cheesewright explains.

Rob Corder, co-founder and editor for WatchPro has been a staunch advocate for events where watch lovers can indulge in their passion in the company of the world’s most exceptional watchmakers.

“Zoom and webinars are a necessary but appalling substitute for live events like Baselworld in its prime, Watches & Wonders and boutique shows in the most important markets like the UK, United States and Germany. WatchPro is uniquely positioned thanks to its enormous reach with consumers and intimate relationship with the watch trade and press to put on a series of world-leading events,” he says.

For information about how to visit or how to exhibit at WatchPro Market or WatchPro Salon, please e-mail lucy.cheesewright@itppromedia.com

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *