The Watch Collectors’ Membership permits connoisseurs and fanatics to collect for watch-related occasions. You’ll have heard of comparable watch teams, such because the long-running RedBar chapters or Time4APint in London. The place The Watch Collectors’ Membership differs goes that further mile for bespoke occasions and tailor-made experiences. In contrast to RedBar, The Watch Collectors’ Membership makes use of an annual subscription mannequin starting from £75 to £150 per yr. What that will get you is experiences that aren’t in contrast to VIP shopper excursions however with no need to spend as a lot as a VIP. Whilst a RedBar member and devoted follower of Time4APint, I used to be unaware of The Watch Collectors’ Membership and was eager to be taught extra.
British Watchmakers’ Day
I had my most serendipitous encounter in the course of the wonderful British Watchmakers’ Day. After a protracted day of going from stand to face, discussing wares, exchanging enterprise playing cards, and taking photos, I ultimately gave myself a while. That point was properly spent with a beer on the primary flooring of Lindley Corridor (Royal Horticultural Halls) in Westminster. With a view of all of the stands, I made a decision to take the burden off and look out over the crowded venue. Quickly after, a well mannered gentleman from Dallas, Texas, joined me, in search of a British watch to take house with him. Later, one other gentleman, already carrying a British watch, a Studio Underd0g 02Series, joined us. Earlier than lengthy, we chatted about what we do, and I realized about The Watch Collectors’ Membership from the CEO, Hamish Robertson.
Picture: The Watch Collectors’ Membership
The Watch Collectors’ Membership
The membership was based in 2020 throughout a pandemic-induced downturn in in-person occasions. Subsequently, the primary collective occasion occurred in October 2021 in Farringdon, London. Thirty collectors and fanatics turned up, all of whom had been a part of the mailing checklist. Because the membership gained traction, so did the viability of exploring brand-hosted occasions. A key distinction from boutique-run experiences is that The Watch Collectors’ Membership nonetheless takes the lead in organizing and presenting every event. You received’t essentially have a model consultant waxing lyrical about its catalog. As an alternative, Robertson takes the reins, permitting the venue employees to loosen up and concentrate on internet hosting and safety duties. The primary brand-focused occasion was with Bremont in Birmingham, adopted by the same occasion within the Mayfair boutique in September 2022.
Picture: The Watch Collectors’ Membership
Following these profitable boutique occasions, 20 members had been invited to tour the Bremont Manufacturing & Know-how Heart, aka “The Wing.” Members may see the place the circumstances are made and the elements assembled in Henley-on-Thames, UK. By this time, Robertson had developed a marketing strategy. With the wheels of The Watch Collectors’ Membership at all times turning, the mailing checklist now boasts 1,300 particular person sign-ups and counting. Due to this robust basis, the membership has extra sway with higher-end manufacturers like Breguet, Jaeger-LeCoultre, Breitling, and IWC. Extra not too long ago, the membership organized a visit for its members to Watches and Wonders this yr. This provided them basic admission to the venue, touch-and-feel classes, and sales space excursions. Usually, organizing such alternatives exterior of the media might be tough.
Picture: The Watch Collectors’ Membership
Additional particulars and learn how to be a part of
Teams like this provide a chance to be taught and entry particulars about often-shielded manufacturers. Some membership members didn’t even know these teams existed. In a single case, a member was dropped at tears of pleasure upon discovering different like-minded collectors and sharing a collective pleasure on this pastime. As a comparability, a typical RedBar occasion is free to affix and attend. Nevertheless, world occasions include a ticket worth. These prices are justifiable as a result of tightly packed schedules of visitor panels, particular showcases, and swag luggage. Within the first occasion within the RedBar World showcase in New York, attendees acquired venue wristbands within the form of specifically made Casio G-Shocks. So, sure, there are alternatives on the market. Nevertheless, the relative infrequency of the RedBar World occasions demonstrates the chance for The Watch Collectors’ Membership to fill the void at a comparatively decrease price than a single RedBar World occasion.
Picture: The Watch Collectors’ Membership
The membership achieved over 40 occasions final yr with varied retailer experiences, museum journeys, watchmaker visits, and extra to come back this yr. As talked about, the membership tiers vary from “metal” at £75 to “gold” at £150 per yr. Many member-only occasions, together with the journey to Watches and Wonders, don’t make it to the web site. So it’s value a free sign-up to the mailing checklist to get details about the extra tailor-made experiences. You could find out extra concerning the particulars of memberships right here and upcoming occasions right here. There may be additionally a present in Manchester on November ninth, 2024, with 14 confirmed manufacturers in attendance out of a focused 25. Tickets for the Manchester present go on sale in August, and you may register curiosity by way of The Watch Collectors’ Membership website and observe its Instagram account.
