Munichtime - A new fall luxury meeting point
Until the Grand Prix d'Horlogerie was called to life nine years ago, the fall had always been less interesting than the spring for central European fans of watchmaking, particularly in Germany, one of the most important markets.
Last year the organizers of Viennatime decided it was high time to change this situation, creating a counterpart in the Bavarian capital. Munichtime 2009, held in the ballroom of the swanky Bayerischer Hof on 1,400 square meters, set itself apart from other events in several ways, attracting 73 internationally reputable exhibitors representing almost every segment of the high-end wristwatch market. The variety of exhibitors — extending all the way from Audemars Piguet to Zenith — was breathtaking, and fans of high watchmaking were able to converse freely with concern presidents, watchmakers, and representatives. A wide spectrum of brands was present: from group representatives of Richemont and Swatch Group to some of the industry's most popular brands — like Breitling and TAG Heuer — and independents (Habring2), all the way to clock (Erwin Sattler) and watch winder (Buben & Zörweg) manufacturers. Most attractive for visitors was, of course, the absence of an entrance fee.Another viable point of attraction for aficionados of horology was the unique twist on voting for a favorite: a qualified jury vote took place at the opening cocktail event on Thursday, October 29 for press and industry visitors. Voting was allowed on a total of 167 watches in four categories. The fantastic element here was that each and every one of the pre-selected watches was available for viewing and handling right at Munichtime. For many, this represented the first time they were able to see A. Lange & Söhne's digital Zeitwerk, handle Ulysse Nardin's Moonstruck, or view the nearly legendary Hybris Mechanica by Jaeger-LeCoultre, whose impressive Döttling safe was even present alongside Joel Cordier, the master watchmaker in charge at the brand's open booth presence.
The evening's winners were not unexpected, with Swiss and German brands well represented: A. Lange & Söhne won in the Classic Elegance category with the retro styling of the brand's Grand 1815; the award for Sporty Dynamics was taken home by Omega for the Seamaster Ploprof 1200 M; and the category Feminine Luxury was topped by Cartier's sparkling raccoon in Le Cirque Animalier. The Complicated Mechanics category ended in a tie for Jaeger-LeCoultre (Master Grande Tradition Tourbillion a Quantieme Perpetuel) and A. Lange & Söhne (Lange Zeitwerk). Walter Lange, who recently celebrated his 85th birthday and was received with thunderous applause, was on hand to receive both awards in the name of his company. Public voting taking place at Munichtime will be combined with that of Viennatime in December, with the winners to be announced during a gala at Vienna's Hofburg on December 9.
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