A Memorable Gathering: Hodinkee's New York Happy Hour

Connecting Through Time: An Evening of Watches and Camaraderie

Fostering Community Through Engaging Events

In 2026, Hodinkee initiated a series of community-focused events, beginning with a successful happy hour at the Watches of Switzerland store in SoHo, New York City. This gathering occurred on a splendid spring day, enhancing the lively atmosphere. The event was meticulously planned yet elegantly simple, featuring a diverse selection of local beers from Grotta and delectable pizzas from Nolita's Upside Pizza. The overwhelming turnout underscored the community's enthusiasm for such interactions.

A Confluence of Enthusiasts and Exceptional Timepieces

The venue quickly filled with a vibrant mix of individuals, including both long-standing friends and new acquaintances, all united by their passion for watches. The evening provided a unique opportunity to admire an impressive array of timepieces, ranging from classic designs to contemporary marvels. The event was a testament to the strong bond within the watch collecting community and Hodinkee's role in bringing these enthusiasts together.

Highlighting Diverse Horological Masterpieces

Among the many fascinating watches on display were a Unimatic U1S-C-H Hodinkee Limited Edition, a Baltic MR-01, a Raymond Weil Millesime Small Seconds, and a Cartier Santos Two-Tone. Enthusiasts also showcased an Accutron Spaceview 314, a Citizen The CITIZEN Caliber 0210, and a Tudor Black Bay 54, specially designed for members of Apple's independent watch club. The variety continued with a Croton Chronomaster Aviator Sea Diver, a TGN x CWC "Crew Watch No. 1," and a Girard-Perregaux Laureato 42, often seen alongside a Chopard Alpine Eagle 41.

More Exquisite Watches and Unexpected Discoveries

The collection further included a Longines Heritage Classic "Sector Dial," a Tudor Submariner ref. 7016, and a Cartier Santos de Cartier Ref. WSSA0062. Vintage pieces like the Seiko 6139-6012 "Silver Dial" Automatic Chronograph and a MB&F Legacy Machine No. 01, admired for its beautiful movement, captivated many. A Universal Genève Polerouter De Luxe Yellow Gold 18k Ref. B10234 and a Polerouter Sub were also spotted, showcasing Universal Genève's historical significance.

Two-Up Watches and Persian Artistry

A Grand Seiko SBGM221 Automatic GMT and a Tudor Ranger ref. 79950 were presented in a two-up display, drawing considerable attention. One of the evening's most unexpected highlights was the appearance of an individual wearing an incredibly rare JLC Reverso Métiers Rare Shahnameh watch. This individual, discovered by the Hodinkee team at a local bar while ordering beers, not only owned one but a complete set of four of these exquisite timepieces, each a limited edition of only ten. These watches draw inspiration from 13th to 16th-century Persian miniature paintings, reinterpreted through enamel miniature painting, grand feu enameling, paillonné, and guillochage. The chosen paintings, now in museum collections worldwide, date back to the 1530s and depict pre-polo horse competitions, adding a rich cultural and historical dimension to the horological artistry.

Contemporary Classics and Unique Editions

Other notable watches included a Cartier Tank Louis Cartier, a Sinn 556 A, a Lorca Model No. 2 Chronograph, and a whimsical Studio Underd0g x Time+Tide Burnt Pepperoni. Ben Clymer was seen with his R-serial Zenith Daytona, while a Longines Symphonette "Sydney 2000 Olympics" Limited Edition offered a glimpse into commemorative timepieces. A Doxa Sub 200T Sharkhunter, an Omega Speedmaster Professional Moonwatch 'Silver Snoopy Award', and an Omega x Swatch MoonSwatch "Mission to Jupiter" highlighted modern collecting trends. A Rolex Datejust 36 Everose Rolesor Chocolate Oyster, a Hublot Watch Big Bang MECA-10 Frosted Carbon 42mm, and an Armin Strom Gravity Equal Force "Jungle Green" represented contemporary high-end watches. An Audemars Piguet Royal Oak 36mm, a Hodinkee 'Friends & Family' 79030 Tudor Black Bay 58, a Nomos Club Sport neomatik Worldtimer, and a Timex Q Timex Vintage Hodinkee Limited Edition further diversified the display. Hodinkee's Head of Video, David Aujero, and Senior Editor Mark Kauzlarich, wearing an Akrivia watchmaker's jacket, were also spotted engaging with guests. The event concluded with more watch spotting, including a Grand Seiko "First," a Timex Waterbury Heritage Chronograph, another Tudor Submariner, and a Nomos Zürich Weltzeit, alongside a Casio G-Shock DW-5600 by Ben Clymer, and a Tudor Black Bay 54 for Meta Employees. Pedro Vidal from the Hodinkee Insurance team and Griffin Bartch were also among the attendees, making the event a truly comprehensive showcase of watch culture and community spirit.