REDBAR TORONTO: A NIGHT OF WATCHMAKING AHEAD OF THE TORONTO TIMEPIECE SHOW

The night before the Toronto Timepiece Show brought together collectors, professionals, and independent brands for a special edition of RedBar Toronto. Our founder, Thomas J. Sandrin, and Cagdas Onen attended the gathering to take a closer look at the brands present, speak with their representatives, and explore some of the watches that would be part of the weekend's conversation.

A special night for the community

The gathering was organized as a small preview of the Toronto Timepiece Show, which would bring together around 85 brands over the weekend. Throughout the evening, Thomas J. Sandrin and Cagdas Onen walked through the space, spoke with different representatives, and discovered some of the new releases the brands had brought to Toronto.

Mark Fleminger, RedBar Toronto Chapter Head, explained that the gathering had also taken place the previous year and grew from an initiative connected to the RedBar community. The idea was to bring together different brands and people from the watchmaking world in a more intimate setting.

Also present was Kathleen McGivney, CEO of RedBar, who traveled from New York to attend the gathering. During the conversation, she spoke about her interest in visiting different RedBar chapters during her travels and about upcoming community activities, including New York Watch Week and the traditional RedBar Independence Night. She also explained that RedBar Toronto holds monthly meetings at different locations around the city.

Tessé Watches and color as part of the design

Among the brands present was Tessé Watches, represented by Thomas Brissiaud, CEO & Founder of Tessé Watches. Brissiaud explained that the gathering came from his desire to bring together some of the brands he enjoys working with and create an event for the community.

During the conversation with Thomas J. Sandrin, Brissiaud presented different Tessé models, starting with the brand's 1970s-inspired field watch and continuing with the Architect. The latter uses the same case but features a much more elaborate dial construction made up of 21 components. Each semicircle is handmade and hand-brushed before being assembled to create the dial.

The brand also showed different monochrome versions, including a blue case with a matching blue dial and an orange seconds hand, as well as a fully black version with a red seconds hand. Another highlight was the collaboration with AndoAndoAndo, which combines the collaboration's design with Tessé's colors, including Electric Teal, orange, and matching straps.

Isotope: design, complications, and marquetry

José Miranda, CEO & Co-Founder of Isotope Watches, presented some of the brand's latest creations during the gathering. Among them was the OVNI Jumping Disc, featuring an indication in which the hour marker changes position on the dial rather than using a conventional jumping hour display.

Miranda also presented the Moonshot Thunder Club, designed in collaboration with Canadian designer Max Johnson. The watch features a telemeter bezel that allows the chronograph to be used to calculate the distance of a storm based on the interval between the lightning and the thunder. The model also features Super-LumiNova on the dial and case back.

The conversation continued with Isotope's marquetry watches. One of the pieces presented uses straw as the dial material, crafted by artisan Bernardo. The straw, cultivated in Burgundy, France, is flattened, cut, and assembled under a microscope to create designs that can resemble meteorite and bronze.

Miranda explained that some of these designs begin with ideas proposed by clients, from themes related to tennis or golf to personal experiences. The design is then developed between Isotope, the client, and the artisan, taking into account the possibilities and limitations of the material.

Another of the pieces presented was created to celebrate the Year of the Horse and features approximately 170 components. The way the straw is arranged causes it to react differently to light. The watch also uses the Pizu 70001 hand-wound movement, with approximately 38 hours of power reserve.

Hanhart and a collection presented in Toronto

Hanhart was represented by Michael Regam, Master Watchmaker with Hanhart. The brand brought almost its entire collection to the gathering, allowing attendees to see different models up close.

Among the highlighted watches was the Flyback version associated with Steve McQueen, one of the brand's most popular models. Regam also presented a 36 mm version of the HD12, developed in response to requests from customers looking for a smaller version of the usual model.

Another notable element was the hardening treatment applied to the case, reaching approximately 1,200 Vickers on the surface. According to Regam, this treatment provides a high level of resistance against scratches.

Buci Paris and a proposal inspired by literature

The evening also provided an opportunity to discover Buci Paris through Nousseïma Baraket, Founder of Buci Paris. For Baraket, it was her first visit to Toronto, and the occasion allowed her to present the story behind a brand born from her personal connection to French watchmaking.

Baraket explained that she grew up in a French region connected to watch manufacturing and that, although watches were part of family celebrations, she had never imagined that she would eventually create her own brand. The decision came after looking for a watch that matched her own tastes and finding mainly options that did not reflect the design she had in mind.

The first collection features a 38 mm case and draws inspiration from writing and poetry. The dial texture recalls paper, while the design incorporates different references to the world of books. The new collection reduces the size to 36 mm and uses a Swiss Made Sellita movement.

One of the most distinctive details is found in the hands, whose shape recalls the tip of a fountain pen. The collection also incorporates details inspired by book pages, while the packaging continues this concept. Two colors, ivory and blue, were presented during the event and were set to launch later on Kickstarter.

A night ahead of the Toronto Timepiece Show

For Thomas J. Sandrin and Cagdas Onen, the gathering provided an opportunity to get closer to different brands, learn about their creations, and speak directly with the people behind each project. From RedBar Toronto to Tessé Watches, Isotope Watches, Hanhart, and Buci Paris, the evening offered a look at different perspectives within independent watchmaking.

Beyond the watches, the gathering also held a special meaning for Thomas, who shared the experience with his son, turning the evening into a family moment as well as a night dedicated to watchmaking. With the Toronto Timepiece Show about to begin, RedBar Toronto offered a first look at the brands, people, and creations that would shape the weekend.