The About Time Watch Weekend in Melbourne showcased innovative and unique wristwatches, capturing the attention of enthusiasts and collectors. Among the highlights were designs such as a wristwatch that functions as a sundial and another that indicates the precise moment to add ingredients for a traditional Japanese Sukiyaki hotpot. This event, part of a specialized exhibition organized by Seiko, aimed to inspire creativity among in-house designers.
Shin-ichiro Kubo, the Tokyo-based director of design at Seiko and Grand Seiko, explained that this initiative encourages designers to explore the essence of timepieces beyond their usual creations. Attendees had the opportunity to vote on seven innovative concepts, including a popular ambidextrous model featuring a dial that alternates between black and white based on the wrist it adorns.
The event attracted several hundred subscribers of the Financial Review and marked its third consecutive year. Attendee Xi Wang expressed enthusiasm over the presence of high-complication pieces from Bulgari, notably the Serpenti Misteriosi High Jewellery watch. This stunning piece wraps around the wrist and houses a delicate “piccolissimo” mechanical movement measuring just 12mm in diameter.
At the newly opened Grand Seiko boutique, participants experienced the intricate process of applying indices to watch dials, a task that involves carefully sliding microscopic pins into place. Grand Seiko also presented its latest Ultra Fine Accuracy model, which boasts a remarkable precision of losing no more than 20 seconds per year, establishing a new benchmark for “spring drive” mechanical watches.
Another prominent exhibitor, Cartier, showcased its Santos model, with a Geneva-based watchmaker demonstrating the intricate mechanisms within. Attendees were also able to try on the new Tank a Guichet, a design originally created in 1928, featuring an innovative jumping hour mechanism encased in solid gold.
For many, a highlight of the weekend was the opportunity to meet designer Stefano Canturi, who discussed his vision for the brand’s Cubism watch collection. One attendee, enjoying complimentary canapés and wine at Lillian Brasserie, remarked on the magnificence of the designs and expressed pride in seeing both Australian and Asian watchmakers represented, particularly appreciating the work of Grand Seiko.
A standout moment occurred when Kubo, the designer behind Grand Seiko’s renowned “snowflake” dial, was present. This watch is celebrated as one of the most iconic timepieces globally. Attendee Marshall Grosby noted the significance of meeting Kubo, calling him a “watch deity.”
The About Time Watch Weekend will continue in Sydney on September 20 and 21, 2023. Interested individuals can secure their bookings through the Financial Review website at afr.com/about-time. The event promises to maintain its reputation for showcasing extraordinary timepieces and fostering a passion for horology among collectors and enthusiasts alike.
