inutes + Hours returned to Austin at a new venue, filling the Petrol Lounge with an immersive blend of contemporary independent watchmaking, established Swiss and international brands, and some of the most important automobiles ever produced. Set against one of Austin’s premier automotive collections, the event once again demonstrated why the Minutes + Hours format continues to resonate globally: watches are meant to be touched, discussed, compared, and experienced, ideally among people who share a genuine curiosity for mechanical objects.

Throughout the weekend, collectors, brand founders, designers, and first time enthusiasts came together in an atmosphere that was open, approachable and conversational, true to the identity Minutes + Hours has steadily built across its many shows.

Presenting brands set the cadence

Anchoring the show was a strong group of presenting brands. Hamilton, Cimier, Christopher Ward, Mühle-Glashütte, Junghans, and Maurice Lacroix together formed a balanced crosssection of modern watchmaking, spanning heritage, innovation, and accessible mechanical sophistication. Hamilton drew consistent attention with its Call of Duty^® Black Ops collaboration, continuing the brand’s longstanding connection to militaryinspired tool watches while bridging into modern pop culture. Cimier’s 47° North Off White emerged as a quiet standout. Its restrained design resonated strongly with collectors seeking purpose driven watches without unnecessary complexity.

Key watches that defined the weekend

Several individual timepieces became natural conversation anchors throughout the show, drawing visitors back repeatedly for deeper inspection and discussion.

Speake Marin Ripples Skeleton

At the high end of independent watchmaking, the Ripples Skeleton stood out as one of the most technically compelling watches at the event. Its sculptural skeletonized movement, integrated sportsluxury case, and refined finishing exemplified how independent brands are redefining complexity with genuine wearability.

Christopher Ward C1 Bel Canto Lumière

The Bel Canto Lumière continued to impress with its accessible chiming complication. Frequently demonstrated on the show floor, the watch offered a rare sensory experience at its price point, reinforcing Christopher Ward’s reputation for expanding access to high horology.

Junghans Max Bill Regulator

The Max Bill Regulator offered a moment of visual calm. Its disciplined Bauhaus design, thoughtful regulator layout, and restrained typography underscored the enduring relevance of clarity, proportion, and purposeled design.

Mühle-Glashütte Sportivo Big Date

Engineered with everyday wear firmly in mind, the Sportivo Big Date combined robust construction, a highly legible date display, and integrated bracelet design,appealing to collectors who value function without sacrificing refinement.

Maurice Lacroix Masterpiece Square Wheel

A consistent source of intrigue, the Masterpiece Square Wheel challenged conventional watchmaking logic through its square gear train. The model sparked frequent discussion and exemplified how innovation can emerge through reinterpreting mechanical fundamentals.

A broad and thoughtfully curated show floor

Beyond the presenting lineup, a diverse group of featured brands, including Duckworth, Isotope, MeisterSinger, Sternglas, WatchGang, ATX Watches, Delma, Moels, Pinion, Benrus, GShock, Elliot Brown, Venezianico, and Nivada Grenchen, added depth and discovery to the weekend.

An extensive supporting cast further enriched the experience. Brands ranging from Ball, Baltic, Paulin, Tissot, Laco 1925, HAIM, Squale, Doxa, Tsar Bomba, Milus, Giant Mouse, Certina, Citizen, Artefkt, Wise, and Armand Nicolet contributed to a show floor that felt comprehensive without becoming overwhelming.

An intimate prelude: Omega and Minutes + Hours

Ahead of the public show, the Austin weekend opened with the Omega x Minutes + Hours event. A private cocktail reception was held on Thursday evening at the Omega Boutique in the Rock Rose district. Hosted for RSVP’d enthusiasts, the gathering offered drinks, light food, and the opportunity to connect in a relaxed setting ahead of the larger show days.

By combining private, brand led experiences with open, collector driven events, Minutes + Hours continues to create multiple entry points into modern watch culture.

The WatchGang breakfast

Saturday morning began with the WatchGang Breakfast, a gathering that has become a defining part of the Minutes + Hours rhythm. Held away from the show floor, it fostered relaxed conversation among collectors who got the opportunity to meet Chad Tsagris, who leads the popular watch subscription and giveaway platform.

Horology meets horsepower

The Petrol Lounge venue elevated the event beyond a traditional watch show. Attendees explored timepieces alongside a Ferrari LaFerrari, Ferrari F40 and F50, multiple Ford GT40s, Bugattis, McLarens, and an extensive array of Porsches, Lotuses, and classic cars.

The pairing felt instinctive. Mechanical watches and legendary automobiles share a common language of engineering discipline, heritage, and emotional resonance.

Beyond the show floor: Minutes + Hours goes permanent

The Austin event also underscored that Minutes + Hours has evolved beyond a traveling show format. For collectors who don’t want to wait until the next event to experience these brands in person, the Minutes + Hours Concept Store is now open in Southern California: Minutes + Hours, Manhattan Village, Manhattan Village Mall, 3200 N. Sepulveda Blvd., Suite C12, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266.

The thoughtfully curated retail space features a rotating selection of watchmakers including Bremont, Perrelet, Baltic, Nivada Grenchen, Mühle Glashütte, MeisterSinger, Sternglas, and Junghans.

Designed as a year‑round extension of the Minutes + Hours experience, the concept store offers a welcoming environment that mirrors the tone of the live events, approachable, informed, and community‑driven.

Looking ahead to upcoming Minutes + Hours events

The momentum from Austin now carries directly into the next chapter for Minutes + Hours. The series returns to Chicago on April 11 and 12, followed by Los Angeles on July 25 and 26, before coming full circle back to Austin on November 7 and 8.

Each stop will continue to build on the principles that have defined the platform from the beginning, thoughtful curation, direct brand engagement, and an environment that prioritizes meaningful interaction over spectacle.

Alongside the return of many familiar brands, future editions will also welcome new brands to the Minutes + Hours floor, including Fortis, Nomos, Kudoke, and SpaceOne. While Fortis was unable to participate in the Austin show due to scheduling constraints, a Stratoliner was sent ahead for evaluation.

For the Minutes + Hours team, this marked a first opportunity to experience a modern Fortis watch in person, and the impression was immediate. The Stratoliner’s over engineered case construction and bracelet execution conveyed a level of seriousness and purpose that translated far more powerfully on the wrist than on paper.

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