An NYC Windup Watch Fair Preview

In addition to being our first Fair in two years, the 2021 NYC Windup Watch Fair may very well have our best roster of brands to date. In addition to several returning favorites, we have a number of the most popular brands in the watch community joining us for the first time. To give you a sneak peek at what’s in store at the in-person Windup later this month, here’s a roundup of some of the participating brands we’re most excited about. 

As a reminder, the Windup Watch Fair will be at Chelsea Market – 75 9th Ave, NYC – on October 22nd, 23rd, and 24th. Head to the Windup Watch Fair website to learn more. We hope to see you there!

BALL Watch

Look closely at every BALL timepiece and you’ll see two boldly emblazoned letters: RR. This enduring heritage highlights BALL’s entwinement with the Railroad systems, stretching back more than 125 years to the age of powerful locomotives, burgeoning freedom and the obsession of Webb C. Ball, whose watchmaking expertise and high standards of precision revolutionized watchmaking and timekeeping forever. At the time of his death, Webb C. Ball had contributed more than any other person in creating the performance and accuracy requirements for railroad watches. His work in crafting the most precise timepieces and instituting an inspection system was imperative and remarkable. It not only improved railroad operations, it was an essential part of timekeeping’s foundation. 

Today, functionality remains a top priority. BALL goes to extraordinary lengths to work innovative technologies into its timepieces, such as uniquely using tritium gas tubes to light up the timepieces. With this heritage, BALL continues its role today as a key protagonist in the evolution of watchmaking history. 

Bespoke Watch Projects

Bespoke Watch Projects is a California-based brand producing pieces that are equal parts tool, artwork, and heirloom. Incorporating heritage-inspired details and modernist design influences, they utilize in-house engraved dials, modified Swiss movements, and handmade straps for unique made-to-order editions. Founded by designer, visual artist, and horologist John Beck McConnico, he applies non-traditional methods for the production of distinctive timepieces.

G-SHOCK – First Time Participant!

G-SHOCK was born from a simple idea — a watch should not break when dropped. Back in 1983, the original square-shaped DW-5000C was created after Kikuo Ibe witnessed a child bouncing a rubber ball. It struck him that a watch floating within a rubber case would be impervious to shocks. After a bunch of testing and design with toughness in mind, the brand was born. Nearly 35 years and hundreds of models later, G-SHOCK is still best known for being some of the toughest, hard-wearing watches that money can buy. 

Hamilton

Founded in 1882 in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, Hamilton was one of the great American watch brands of the early 20th century and a pioneer in watchmaking in general. Through the early and mid-twentieth Hamilton became a household name by producing everything from pocket watches for railroad engineers, to mil-spec watches for the troops, to deck chronometers for the Navy, to everyday dress and casual pieces loved worldwide. Today, Hamilton Watches is part of the venerable Swatch group, and a champion of affordable, well-made Swiss watches with American heritage. Simultaneously pulling from their rich archives and looking forward, the current catalog of Hamilton watches has something for everyone, from robust pilots watches, to track-ready chronographs, to elegant dress watches.

Junghans

Since 1861, the town of Schramberg, Germany, nestled sleepily in the Black Forest, has been home to one of the greatest names in German watchmaking: Junghans. For over a century and a half, the brand has produced a stunning array of watches and clocks for almost every conceivable application, from egg timers to cockpit clocks for Bf-109 fighter aircraft.

Junghans’ style trends toward sleek minimalism, with a healthy dose of mid-century style to keep things unique and interesting. This shines through especially well in their Meister Pilot series, with a one-of-a-kind scalloped rotating bezel based on the pilot’s chronographs Junghans supplied to the newly reforming German air force, in the 1950s. The real star of the show for Junghans, however, is the Max Bill series, named after the eponymous Bauhaus designer.

Norqain – First Time Participant!

Family-owned and independent, NORQAIN is a watch brand that dares to go its own way. Based in Nidau (Biel/Bienne), at the heart of Swiss watchmaking, we’re driven by the excitement that comes with exploring the road less traveled. NORQAIN believes in creating timepieces that inspire its fans to live in the moment. We use our expertise stemming from deep roots in mechanical watchmaking to make sure every second is measured with absolute precision. All NORQAIN watches are designed in-house and feature high-end case finishing, creative dial designs, a customizable “NORQAIN plate” and are powered by Kenissi Manufacture Calibres and ETA / Sellita movements. 

Seiko – First Time Participant!

For any Worn & Wound reader, Seiko needs no introduction. Since 1881, Seiko has been a pillar of Japanese watchmaking and today stands as one if not the most popular watch brands among enthusiasts and the general public alike. Modern collectors will know them well for their iconic, Astron, Prospex, Presage, and Seiko 5 Sports collections. Few brands produce watches, at any price point, that bear the history, style, and quality of a Seiko.

Zodiac

Since 1882, Zodiac Watches has been a truly innovative force in the world of watchmaking. Founded by Ariste Calame in Le Locle, Switzerland, Zodiac was a pioneer in the worlds of automatic watches, “mystery” watches, electronic and even quartz watches. Now, under the wing of Fossil, Zodiac has been working hard to bring this rich history to the surface by recreating their iconic timepieces to new standards. Affordable, luxurious timepieces, Zodiac watches perfectly straddle the line between vintage style and modern functionality.