Watch-2008-Netherlands-Castle
Wow, I really want to go, but being in the US makes things hard. Watch2008 (Yes, there will be a Watch2009, etc…) is going to be an excellent show and dedicated to smaller and innovative watch makers that are more dedicated to the craft of making quality watches than some marketing image. An impressive list of manufacturers includes several I have never heard of, and plenty whose watches I will be lucky to ever see at all. There is something exciting about this. Especially owning one of these watch and knowing that you are likely the only person in your county (if not state) to own one.

See the complete list of Watch2008 exhibitors here.

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Watch2008 will located at the Castle Hoogenweerth in the Maastricht region of The Netherlands between Belgium and Germany. I’ve never been anywhere in the Netherlands outside of Amsterdam, and the Masstricht really couldn’t be much further than Amsterdam and still in the country. It is situated in a scenic region between Germany and Belgium. Interestingly enough, this is meant to be a private event, meaning you won’t be in some urban environment, but instead in a cozy place with like-minded individuals seeing, talking, eating and breathing watches.

So what goes on at Watch2008? It is being held at a “romantic location.” You’ll get some welcome one-on-one access with watch makers discussing design merits, future products, and anything else that seems appropriate. I have to say that my experience dealing directly with the watch makers is incredibly better than dealing with some marketing or sales person. The event is laid out over two days (December 6th and 7th 2008), full details can be seen on the official website (see below). It is unclear whether or not you can purchase watches at the actual event (I am sure there will be some of that going on at nice discounts, but don’t take my word for it).

Food and drink are included as if you cared, that isn’t why you are going. I’d like a tour of the castle myself. Pre-order prices are 25 euros, and the normal price to attend is 35 euros. Not too bad for the event. Overall, it seems like a great place to be, and I wish I could be there. Only thing, I wish they might think about changing the name of the event next year. “Watch2008?” Could it get any less specific? Maybe they are just trying to be the anti- Basel World.

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Visit Watch2008’s official homepage here.


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