Happenings Watchfest, Sydney's Community-Driven Watch Fair, Is Returning For Its Seventh Outing

Now in its seventh year, one of Australia’s largest watch enthusiast events is back. Next month, Sydney will play host to Watchfest, a convention that brings together the Australian watch community for a day of events, talks and exhibitions covering all things horological.

The much-loved Watch Crawl (think pub crawl, but for watches) is also making its return on the afternoon of Thursday, November 5th, snaking its way through the Sydney CBD as it makes stops at select boutiques for exclusive appointments, as well as offering behind-the-scenes sneak previews, brand experiences and the exclusive opportunity to handle watches rarely seen in Australia.

Following the crawl, the Watch Convention is taking place on Saturday, November 7th, from 10 am at the Sydney Masonic Centre. At the convention, you’ll have the chance to experience and purchase watches from a range of major brands and enthusiast-favourite microbrands, browse modern pre-owned watches, vintage rarities, and snag straps and watch accessories from exhibitors. 

You’ll also get the chance to attend live talks throughout the day to hear from industry leaders, experienced watchmakers, and collectors sharing insights about the watch landscape. This year, you can expect to experience the latest collections from participating watch brands, including Breitling, Bremont, Longines, Seiko, TAG Heuer, Tissot and a huge range of independents and microbrands.

Following the convention, there will also be a dinner hosted at Song Kitchen, owned by YWCA Australia and located within the Song Hotel Sydney on Wentworth Ave. Not only does it support the important cause of women and children affected by domestic violence, but it also has a great menu and a wine list populated by local vineyards from New South Wales.

Tickets are free (other than the dinner), but they’re also hot property. At the time of publishing, tickets are sold out for the Watch Crawl and general admission for the Watch Convention. However, tickets for the dinner (the A$112 ticket price covers the meal) are still available, as are a handful of second-release tickets for afternoon admission (from 1 pm) at the Watch Convention.

"WatchFest is Australia’s most loved enthusiast watch fair," WatchFest founder Paxton Wong tells Hodinkee ANZ, adding: "This year we have a wonderful lineup of brands participating. From TAG Heuer to Tissot, independent brands and watchmakers - there is something for everyone."

You can learn more, grab tickets, or join the waitlist for the Watchfest events here.