Went to the second
Toronto Timepiece Show today, and it was a bit different to last year. More established brands, fewer tiny microbrands. Some high/lowlights include:
- echo/neutra: small Italian microbrand making beautiful watches with vintage inspiration but still looking modern. The Rivanera tank is absolutely stunning (and wafer thin), and the rest of the lineup was top notch. Best of show for me, and their 1956 bicompax has shot to the top of my shopping list. Shows what can be done with top-notch design, balance everywhere.
- Nivada Grenchen: big disappointment, not impressed at all. Bad bezels, just general mediocre finish.
- Serica: really nicely made, love the vintage bracelets, definitely worth the money. Not quite as distinctive as the echo/neutra, but still classy.
- Oris: just a general let-down, was curious about the 60th Anniversary diver, but it was bland and the vintage tint color was too yellow.
- anOrdain: enamel dials were stunning, I get what the fuss is about.
- Studio Underd0g: better than expected, even if they're kind of a one trick pony. Novelty colours were more understated in person, and the finishing is excellent. Still overpriced, I think.
- Sinn: if you like their ultra-tool watch aesthetic, as I do, they don't disappoint. Some of the most brutalist, sh*t-kicking divers out there.
Other mid-size brands included Nomos, Junghans, Christopher Ward, Doxa, Maurice Lacroix, Formex, Hanhart and Yema. None disappointed, but also didn't surprise, and seemed exactly as expected based on reputation.
It's on again tomorrow, and most sellers are offering some kind of show discount and/or free shipping. Had to exercise all sorts of self-restraint to not walk out with that
1956 chrono...