Watch industry events focused on the people, the talks, and the evolution of a mutual understanding of core issues are too few and far between when compared to new watch launch frenzies. From Geneva to Hong Kong and Shanghai to New York, as well as any corner of the world with a notable musical or racing event, you can expect to see new limited editions — plus, Seiko is sure to deliver its weekly dose of new watches with the punctuality and consistency of the Shinkansen. You can probably see, then, why the 10th installment of Dubai Watch Week’s Horology Forum will continue to serve as a breath of fresh air for industry professionals and enthusiasts who wish to catch a break and focus on, well, the industry itself.
Horology Forum 10, or HF.10 takes place in Hong Kong, this time, between October 22nd and 24th (and will be open to the public, too), hosted by the Zaha Hadid-designed The Henderson. Situated right in the center of this buzzing city, where there is a watch boutique or dealer, every step of the way, a busy four-day program awaits, with panel discussions and crash courses on watch industry history, dream watch brand creation, vintage watch collecting, and thought-provoking talks on the future of mechanical watchmaking.
Among the panelists and moderators will be Nicholas Biebuyck, Heritage Director of TAG Heuer, Tim Mosso of The 1916 Company, Jiaxian Su of SJX, Pim Koeslang of Christiaan van der Klaauw, Mark Cho of The Armoury, as well as Ming Thein of Ming, Fiona Krüger, Robin Tallendier of Atelier Wen, Austen Chu of Wristcheck, as well as Suzanne Wong, Wei Koh, Robin Swithinbank, and others.
A Dubai Watch Week representative is quick to point out: “Of course, it’s not all theory and discourse — HF.10 offers plenty of opportunities for guests to get hands-on.” Wristcheck will present a masterclass on how to paint luminous material on watch hands, and DWW-favorite Fiona Krüger will lead a session on building creative automata. If you’re looking for a more local experience, Elaine Wong will run a class on the art of Chinese calligraphy, and there will be classes on Tea Blending and Tin Clock Making.
Since its inception in 2015, Horology Forum has organized more than 90 panels, featuring over 270 speakers, and its 10th installment in Hong Kong is set to continue that decade-long legacy. Importantly, admission to the 2024 Horology Forum, or HF.10, is free and open to the public via online pre-registration. The panel discussions will be live-streamed on the Dubai Watch Week YouTube channel during the event. To learn more, visit the event’s website.