Toronto once again became a meeting point for watch enthusiasts with another edition of the Toronto Timepiece Show. Thomas J. Sandrin, Cagdas Onen and Sean Shapiro attended the event to experience it firsthand, discover new brands, reconnect with familiar faces and speak with some of the people shaping a community that continues to grow. Bringing together collectors, enthusiasts, creators and representatives from different watchmaking companies, the show offered an opportunity to discover different approaches to watchmaking and experience the industry beyond what we usually see online.

A Quiet Start Before the Enthusiasts Arrived

The coverage began during the VIP evening, before the general public filled the venue. Thomas and Cagdas took advantage of this first gathering to speak with Sean and other attendees about their expectations for the weekend. For those who had visited the show in previous years, the public days could be quite intense, with long lines to see certain watches and the possibility of missing out on a piece they had been hoping to experience.

The VIP evening offered a different opportunity to get closer to the watches, try them on and speak with the brands in a more relaxed setting.

New Releases and Eye-Catching Materials

Among the first brand conversations was a presentation of the latest releases from Maurice Lacroix. One of the highlights was the new AIKONIC IC Frozen, introduced in several colour variations, including a limited bronze edition. Its dial combines carbon with resin, creating distinctive patterns and lines that add visual depth to the design. The purple version offered a particularly striking look at this effect.

The team also presented a special edition inspired by the 250th anniversary of the United States. Its dial references the seven points of the Statue of Liberty's crown, while its green colour recalls the oxidation of the monument. The watch also features illumination at night and is limited to 50 pieces, accompanied by a grey leather strap with matching stitching.

Another release discussed during the presentation was the Pontos Solar, available in three-hand and chronograph versions. Its light-powered system allows the watch to store enough energy to operate for more than eight months in the three-hand version and five months in the chronograph version, according to the brand representative.

Jack Mason: A Blend of Identity and Design

Peter Cho from Jack Mason introduced some of the brand's latest additions. Among them was the Canton Day-Date, an evolution of the original Canton collection featuring a 41 mm case and a CNC-machined guilloché dial. Its precise texture interacts with light, allowing the dial's colour to stand out.

The collection also includes the Day-Date Resort, a sportier interpretation featuring a different dial texture, a contrasting day display and a contrasting chapter ring. Both models are powered by a top-grade Sellita SW240 movement, fitted with a custom rotor featuring the brand's Lone Star logo.

Another highlight was the Strat-o-Timer 42, a 42 mm version of the brand's flagship model. Its combination of a green bezel, black dial and gilt hands and indices gives it a distinctive appearance. The larger case also comes with a wider 22 mm lug width, compared to the 20 mm found on the 40 mm version.

Echo/Neutra: Italian Influence in Contemporary Watchmaking

From Italy, Echo/Neutra shared its vision of watchmaking through a conversation with its co-founder, Marco Dragoni, who introduced Thomas and Cagdas to the brand's story and its different collections. Founded in 2018, Echo/Neutra began as a crowdfunding project before developing into an independent watchmaking company. Its philosophy combines Italian design and attention to detail with Swiss Made watchmaking.

During the visit, Thomas explored several of its collections. The 1956 line represents the brand's vintage-inspired approach, featuring three-hand watches, GMT models and chronographs, including manual-winding options and a GMT chronograph.

The Averau collection represents a more sporty side of the brand. It includes 39 mm stainless steel models as well as 42 mm versions featuring ceramic and titanium. The collection also offers three-hand watches, moonphase models and chronographs.

The conversation continued with Rivanera, the brand's dress watch collection. Its rectangular design and proportions aim to preserve the elegance of traditional dress watches while introducing a contemporary aesthetic. Details include sandblasted titanium and polished edges. The collection features a rectangular manual-winding model with small seconds and the Rivanera Piccolo, a more compact design with an automatic movement and date display. A special dial created to celebrate the opening of the brand's first studio in Milan was also presented. This version is available exclusively at the brand's studio in Milan.

Independent Brands Offering New Ways to Experience Time

The second day provided an opportunity to explore more independent watchmaking brands. Among them was Mount West Watchco, a Salt Lake City-based company introduced by its founder and CEO, Drew. Its Summit model was one of the highlights of the conversation and is available in four variations: Obsidian, Snowfall, Abyss and Treeline.

Its defining feature is a proprietary dual unidirectional bezel system, designed to track two elements of time simultaneously. This allows for different timing and comparison functions, including split times and multiple time zones. Drew also explained that every watch is serialized and that he personally handles the engraving, assembly and movement regulation. The package includes a waterproof case, an additional silicone strap, an adjustment tool and a black light.

Another brand that caught the team's attention was Xeric, making its first appearance in Canada after beginning its journey on Kickstarter in 2013. Danny Hunsaker, co-founder of the brand, introduced Thomas and Cagdas to some of its most interesting designs, starting with the Triptych 2, a wandering-hour watch in which the hour indication moves to point towards the minutes.

He also presented the Regulator 1968, a watch that separates the hours, minutes and seconds across different displays. Its Kickstarter launch was planned for October. The conversation also covered the Halograph Chrono, which uses a circular display to offer a different approach to reading time. Xeric's philosophy revolves around finding new ways to display the hours, a direction that came from its founders' desire to move beyond traditional watch designs.

Independent Creativity: Mad Hudson and Worden

Creativity was also at the centre of the presentation from Mad Hudson Watches, a Chicago-based brand founded after its creators gained experience working with another watch company. Connor Hudson introduced Thomas to some of the designs that define its collection.

One of them is Broken Time, a watch designed to look as though its dial has been shattered, while remaining fully functional. Its hour and minute hands are fused together, and the time is read through windows on either side of the dial. The cracks are painted on the underside of the crystal, creating the visual effect without affecting the watch's operation.

Another interesting model was the CD Watch, inspired by the appearance of a compact disc. Its system uses pause and play symbols to indicate the hours and minutes, while the central disc rotates to display the seconds. The collection also includes Eddie and Peggy, two vintage-inspired designs named after the grandparents of the brand's creators.

Meanwhile, Tyler presented the latest releases from Worden. Nightdrift draws inspiration from summertime evening walks, particularly the contrast between the dark blue night sky and vegetation illuminated by streetlights. Afterlife takes a different direction, exploring an ethereal atmosphere inspired by clouds and the colours of the sky. Both designs demonstrate how everyday experiences can become starting points for watchmaking creativity.

A Community That Continues to Grow

Beyond the watches themselves, one of the most interesting aspects of the Toronto Timepiece Show was the diversity of people it brought together. Thomas and Cagdas spoke with Alessandra, a visitor from Miami attending the event for the first time. She highlighted the atmosphere and variety of brands, mentioning Dennison's stone-dial watches, particularly its smaller models, among the pieces that caught her attention.

They also met Chloe, founder of Minim, a brand launched in October 2025 and shaped by her own experience as a watch collector. Her approach focuses on creating watches with proportions that better reflect her personal preferences, combining elements of vintage pocket watches with the architecture of traditional dress watches. Chinese numerals, originally from Hong Kong, are also part of the brand's identity.

During the conversation, Chloe introduced a five-piece collaboration with Micro Indie Collective, as well as several designs featuring stone dials. One of the highlights was a 33-piece collaboration with a Moroccan watch journalist, which sold out within 24 hours after Ryan Reynolds wore one of the watches. She also presented an upcoming 18-piece collaboration with the Jewish Enthusiast Watch Society and Mikey Friedman, scheduled for December.

These conversations reflected one of the most valuable aspects of the show: the opportunity to meet the people behind the brands, hear their stories and understand the ideas that shape their creations.

Toronto, a Meeting Point for Watchmaking

The Toronto Timepiece Show is much more than an opportunity to see new watches. It is a space where different generations of collectors, enthusiasts, creators and brands come together through a shared passion. The presence of international companies and independent watchmakers highlights the diversity of an industry that continues to find new ways to express itself.

In an environment where every watch has a story and every brand brings its own perspective, the event is a reminder that watchmaking is also shaped by the people, experiences and connections that grow around it. Ultimately, these encounters are what keep the community alive and give it something new to look forward to.