From Poutine to Prestige: My First Toronto Timepiece Show & Timepiece World Awards
Photo by Furry Wrist Abroad
**Timepiece World Awards Categories and Winners at the End**
Photo by Chris Antzoulis - Tom, Anna, and Chris
This was my first year at the Toronto Timepiece Show, put on by Jason Hutton and his stellar crew, and I was having a blast before the show even started. Granted, I did manage to wind up at the wrong hotel downtown, but luckily, my friends Anna (@chrono.girl.life) and Tom (owner of Abinger Watches) found me before I started building a new life on a park bench. We whisked off to explore the CN Tower, grabbed some food, and, most importantly, introduced myself to my very first poutine. Friends, it was glorious. Glorious, and so nutritionally reckless I’m shocked it wasn’t invented in the U.S.
The first evening of the show was industry-only, which was a genius move. Four hours to meet brands, ask questions, and dig into their stories without elbowing through a crowd of thousands. Honestly, more shows need to take note: cramming brands and industry professionals together without an opportunity to interact sans consumer makes meaningful conversations nearly impossible. Even with this head start, I still didn’t get to everyone on my list. But that’s the nature of these events, you run into old friends, finally meet people you’ve only known online, and inevitably add more names to the “next time” list.
After a day of horological mingling (and a steak dinner to celebrate surviving it), the show opened to the public Saturday morning at the Meridian Arts Centre. Gorgeous venue, spacious layout—mostly. The main choke point was where Sinn, Doxa, and Nomos all set up shop like the horological Avengers, while Venezianico and Junghans lurked across from them. Great if you like tight spaces. Less great if you’ve ever felt claustrophobic after falling over in a mosh pit. Still, aside from that and a crowded vintage section, the flow was smooth. Easy access to drinks—coffee, soda, even beer—plus plenty of clean bathrooms, which deserves its own award, frankly.
Photo by Chris Antzoulis
There were a handful of panels, a live podcast recording, and events to partake in. One panel I attended, on the importance of design language, was moderated by Ken Lam of Arken Watches. Ken interviewed Jérôme Burgert from Serica, Lucy Kapetanovic from Paulin Watches, and Jose Miranda from Isotope Watches. These three brands couldn’t be more different in aesthetics and their approach to watchmaking. Each brand had its own unique set of rules regarding design, yet they all converged on the notion of passion. If the people behind the brand aren’t excited by their own creations, they’re doing a disservice to the customer.
Photo by Furry Wrist Abroad - Ken Lam, Jérôme Burgert, Lucy Kapetanovic, and Jose Miranda
Jason and team also made sure the show wasn’t just about the watches themselves, showcasing horological artists like Dan Tanenbaum (@watchpartsmotorcycles) and Siniziana Iordache (@sinizianaiordache), whose work brought even more creativity into the space.
Photo by Furry Wrist Abroad - Alex Sauret, Sinziana Iordache, Moi, Anna Kubaski, and RJ Broer
Saturday night brought the first annual Timepiece World Awards, hosted by none other than Colin Mochrie. Yes, that Colin Mochrie of Whose Line Is It Anyway? fame. If you grew up on that golden age of improv like I did, you can imagine how surreal it was to see him introducing watch brands instead of playing “Scenes From a Hat.” He also claimed to be wearing an old Fossil Batman watch, and when I went up to shake his hand, you bet I asked to see it. He was more than excited to share it with me. BUT, before Colin took the stage, Jason welcomed the crowd of brands, judges, and committee members (like moi), thanking everyone who helped pull the event together.
Photo by Furry Wrist Abroad - Jason Hutton and Colin Mochrie
Any brand that released a watch this year could submit to the awards, even if they weren’t vending at the show. The committee narrowed down the list, the judges deliberated the day before, and only one lawyer in the room knew the final results. (Which, let’s be honest, sounds like the setup for a Swiss thriller.)
I had the honor, and mild heart palpitations, of presenting the first award of the night with the outstanding Canadian watchmaker, Bradley Taylor. We handed out the award for “Best Time-Only” to Isotope Watches for their Mercury Shadow, and I got to hug my friend, and Isotope brand owner, Jose Miranda, on stage in front of a room full of watch nerds. Easily a top-tier life moment.
Photo by @Chrono.Girl.Life
Thankfully, the ceremony wasn’t one of those stiff, tuxedoed affairs. The vibe was semi-formal, supportive, and surprisingly laid-back. Every one of the twelve categories had strong contenders, and while winners were celebrated, the sense of camaraderie was palpable.
Photo by Furry Wrist Abroad - Jose Miranda and Marc Levesque of Isotope Watches
The night’s big twist came with the final award: People’s Choice. No, John Travolta didn’t appear only to mispronounce anyone’s name. Instead, all attendees of the Toronto Timepiece Show were able to view the finalists in every category and vote for their favorite watch of the show; however, it was a tie. Isotope made another trip to the stage, winning for their Moonshot Chronograph (making them the only brand to bring home two awards that night). This time, Jose was joined by Marc Levesque, Isotope’s North American Brand Director, for a heartfelt moment. Then Christopher Ward tied with their C12 Loco, with Trey Foote, USA Showroom Manager, accepting the award with a thank-you that was just the right amount of passionate and proud.
It’s essential to note that the commonality among these watches is that they reinterpret classical movements and complications in more modern ways, pushing the boundaries of what we as watch enthusiasts come to expect for what we pay.
Photo by Furry Wrist Abroad - Trey Foote accepting the People’s Choice Award on behalf of Christopher Ward
All in all, the Toronto Timepiece Show was the perfect mix of watches, friends, and just enough chaos to keep it interesting. I’ve been to plenty of shows where you leave feeling drained, but this one left me energized, until I came home and came down with con crud (those of you with some comic cons under your belt know what I’m talking about). Between the incredible venue, the chance to finally meet so many people in person, and the unforgettable first-ever Timepiece World Awards, it’s safe to say Toronto has earned its place on the horological map. And yes, I plan to be back next year, and/or attend Jason Hutton’s other Canadian conventions in Vancouver and now Montreal.
Photo by Chris Antzoulis - Chris with Isotope and Christopher Ward after the ceremony
Categories & Winners:
Time Only:
Brew: Metric Manual Wind
Isotope Watches: Mercury Shadow **Winner**
Serica: Parade
Venezianico: Arsenale Meteorite
Atelier Wen: Perception Millesime
Ressence: Type 9 G
Chronograph:
Angelus: CHRONOGRAPHE TÉLÉMÈTRE **Winner**
Oris: Aquis Chronograph
Studio Underd0g: Av0cado
Hanhart: 417 ES 1954 Heritage Flyback
Isotope Watches: Chronograph Moonshot Terra Maris
Longines: SPIRIT FLYBACK
Sports:
Venezianico: Nereide Corallo
Oris: Aquis Great Barrier Reef IV Limited Edition **Winner**
Sherpa Watches: 002 / 01 / 01
Longines: LEGEND DIVER
Formex: Essence 0336.9.6051.410
Wolbrook: Skindiver 38 Automatic
GMT/World Time:
Longines: SPIRIT ZULU TIME 1925
Haim Watch Company: Viajero
Lesablier: Travelgraph Universalis
Venezianico: Nereide GMT Ceratung™
Doxa: SUB 250T GMT Professional **Winner**
Jack Mason: Strat-o-timer GMT
Tool Watches:
Kuoe Kyoto: SOMBRERO 90-011, Salmon
Ressence: TYPE 7 N
Marathon Watch Company: ADANAC SSNAV-D PILOT’S AUTOMATIC **Winner**
Oris: Divers Date
Micromilspec: Milgraph
Fortis Watches: Novonaut Titanium
Innovative Complication:
Fears: Brunswick 40.5 Jump Hour 'Edwardian Edition’ **Winner**
Christopher Ward: The C12 Loco - Pasadena Blue
Vanguard: Vanguart ORB Titanium
David Candaux: DC7 Blue Hawk
Frederic Jouvenot: HELIOS AVENTURINE
Amida: Digitrend Open Sapphire
Exceptional Materials:
Atelier Caradant: CityMaps : Paris Papier Champs Elysées
XRby: XRby Rose Saneuil
Longines: ULTRA‑CHRON CARBON
anOrdain: Model 2 Porcelain Large A1
GoS: Fullerö Sword - Midnight Blue **Winner**
Formex: Essence 0331.4.6395.811
Jewellery and Artistic Craft:
Isotope Watches: Mercury Marquetry
AWAKE: Sơn Mài – Frosted Leaf - Green **Winner**
Schaefer and Companions: S-GAEM0A-ANT-03A01
Ressence: TYPE 8 Indigo
XRby: XRby Gabriel Colliard
Feynman Timekeepers: Coalesce - Dragon
Foundation:
Studio Underd0g: The 02SERIES Gimlet (02GIG) **Winner**
Longines: CONQUEST
NECTERE: THE DUNE
RAYMOND WEIL: Millesime Automatic Small Seconds Menthol
Beaubleu: Ecce Figura Alba
Beaucroft Watches: Element 39.5 - Ocean Blue
Exception:
KUDOKE: KUDOKE 3 Flakes gold **Winner**
Venezianico: Redentore Utopia
Oris: ProPilot X Miss Piggy Edition
Maurice Lacroix: AIKON AUTOMATIC WOTTO LIMITED EDITION
Fears: Arnos Pewter Blue
Laine: P37
Pinnacle:
Fam al Hut: MARK 1 Möbius
BIANCHET: UFFTSKTNBL
LAURENT FERRIER: LCF012.G1.NGE10
Vianney Halter: Art Deco Metropolis **Winner**
People’s Choice:
Isotope Watches: Moonshot and Christopher Ward: C12 Loco **Tied Winners**
You can see more at the Timepiece World Awards website HERE!
REMEMBER, nerds…. to keep the comments clean. Please don’t make me pull out ole Abraham-Louis here.
