Keen to learn about the world of watchmaking? This four-day event is the ultimate crash course

For almost a century, the Swiss city of Basel hosted the world’s biggest watch fair, bringing together the likes of Rolex, Patek Philippe, Chopard, along with artisanal watchmakers such as MB&F and Urwerk under one roof for one week. The trade show was open to public, with men, women, kids (and some dogs) excitedly pressing their noses against the windows of the booths, keen to get a sneak peek at the year’s novelties. 

It was a reminder of the privileged position that we watch journalists were in — that we could not only touch and feel the year’s novelties, but also gain front-row access to these great minds that were literally changing the wheels of watchmaking.

This rare level of access is precisely what makes The Hour Glass’s IAMWATCH so special. Held at the Singapore Edition hotel, this four-day symposium is an immersive experience, that brings together legendary watchmakers, industry titans, and passionate collectors from across the Pan-Asian community. Think intimate gatherings, lively panel discussions, and insightful conversations that delve deep into the heart of horology.

Michael Tay, group managing director for The Hour Glass, says, “We are pleased to welcome the watch community to IAMWATCH 2024. [It] is not just about showcasing artisanal watchmaking; it’s an opportunity for meaningful engagement and discourse.” 

IAMWATCH underscores Singapore’s rising prominence in the world of horology and the growing influence of the Pan-Asian watch collecting community. The event offers a deep dive into the watchmaking industry, and attendees can explore diverse topics, from the intricacies of watchmaking entrepreneurship and the historical significance of clock towers to the art of building a curated collection.

Adds Tay, “Our hope is that all delegates leave IAMWATCH enriched by the human connections they have made, educated by the lectures and plenary sessions we have proposed and, motivated to continue down this joyous path of watch collecting into the future.” 

Here, we highlight some of the most exciting speakers at the event, and where to catch them: 

Jean-Claude Biver

He is the ultimate maverick and a legendary figure in the watchmaking industry—think the Steve Jobs of horology. He is best known for reviving the watchmaking industry following the Quartz Crisis and doubling down on mechanical watchmaking. He turned the fortunes of Blancpain around and has since re-energised brands such as Hublot and Tag Heuer. 

Catch him on: 
- Friday 18th October as he discusses the fundamentals of watchmaking entrepreneurship. 
- Sunday 20^th October with watch auctioneer Aurel Bacs, Sotheby’s Sam Hines and Revolution’s Wei Koh and learn how to build a million dollar watch collection. 

Max Büsser

He is the ultimate maverick and a legendary figure in the watchmaking industry—think the Steve Jobs of horology. He is best known for reviving the watchmaking industry following the Quartz Crisis and doubling down on mechanical watchmaking. He turned the fortunes of Blancpain around and has since re-energised brands such as Hublot and Tag Heuer. 

Catch him on: 
- Friday 18th October as he discusses the fundamentals of watchmaking entrepreneurship. 
- Sunday 20^th October with watch auctioneer Aurel Bacs, Sotheby’s Sam Hines and Revolution’s Wei Koh and learn how to build a million dollar watch collection. 

Jean Arnault 

At just 26, Jean Arnault, son of LVMH founder Bernard Arnault, is already making waves in the watch industry. As the head of Louis Vuitton’s watchmaking department, he has introduced striking new collections and collaborations.

Catch him on: 
- Saturday 19th October as he, and artisanal watchmakers Gaël Petermann, Rémy Cools and Theo Auffret talk balancing ambition and tradition for the Future Makers panel discussion.  
- Sunday 20th October as he sits with managing director of Ulysse Nardin Matthieu Haverlan, CEO of Louis Erard Manuel Emch, and the founder of Revolution magazine Wei Koh and discuss the next decade of the watchmaking industry. 

Check out the entire schedule on https://iamwatch.com and book your spots now.