When we think of major watchmaking events, we often think of Switzerland, Germany or sometimes the United States. But recently, Canada has made its mark thanks to a growing event: the Toronto Timepiece Show. In just a few editions, this show has managed to carve out a place for itself in the international watchmaking calendar. And the 2025 edition, to be held from September 19 to 21 at Toronto’s Meridian Arts Centre, promises to be the most ambitious yet.
A young show that’s already a must
Created in 2023 by Jason Hutton, watch enthusiast and founder of the Timepiece Show series, this event was intended to give visibility to independent brands. The idea was simple: to offer a meeting place for designers and enthusiasts, far removed from the sometimes impressive formalism of the big Swiss shows.
The first edition was a resounding success. Toronto, a cosmopolitan city accessible from both America and Europe, quickly established itself as an ideal venue for this type of event. Today, the show attracts brands from all over the world and brings together a varied public: seasoned collectors, curious amateurs, specialized journalists and even families who have come to discover the world of watchmaking.
More than 80 brands in 2025
This year, over 80 exhibitors are expected. And the least we can say is that there will be plenty of diversity.
Visitors will of course be able to discover Canadian brands, proud to be playing at home. Marathon Watch Company, known for its military watches and robust timepieces, will be on hand. As will ZENEA Watches, a young Canadian brand that has already won over many enthusiasts with its contemporary designs.
But the show is not limited to local players. Names from Europe and beyond will be making the trip. Christopher Ward, an increasingly popular British brand with models offering impressive value for money, will be present. Fears, one of the oldest English watchmaking houses, will also be present, as will Isotope, another British representative appreciated for its original design.
Beyond these well-known names, the real charm of the Toronto Timepiece Show lies in the discovery of micro-brands and independent creators. These artisans, sometimes barely visible outside the Internet, find here an ideal forum to present their watches, tell their stories and exchange directly with the public. This is undoubtedly one of the show’s greatest assets: enabling enthusiasts to try on unique timepieces they would otherwise never have had the chance to handle.
An experience that goes far beyond the exhibition
The show is more than just a succession of stands. Each year, the organizers take care to offer a real program of activities.
The 2025 edition will open its doors on Saturday morning, with extended opening hours throughout the weekend to allow everyone to make the most of their visit. Visitors will be able to stroll freely from one stand to another, as well as attend conferences and presentations.
While the detailed program has not yet been fully unveiled, we can expect, as in previous editions, round tables on watch design, discussions on the evolution of the independent market, and perhaps even more practical workshops. These are often very convivial moments: we learn as much about manufacturing techniques as about the life paths of the designers.
And then there’s that little thrill that’s typical of this type of event: the chance to preview a new collection or limited edition unveiled especially for the show. Some exhibitors take advantage of the Toronto Timepiece Show to launch new products, well aware that the public present is made up of attentive and demanding enthusiasts.
A show open to all
One of the strengths of the Toronto Timepiece Show is its accessibility. Unlike other events sometimes reserved for professionals, this one is designed for a wide audience.
Tickets are available online at reasonable prices, and children under 13 can even enter free of charge. Families are welcome, strollers included, giving the show a much more relaxed atmosphere than traditional trade shows.
This openness also explains the great diversity of the public: collectors come to compare their latest acquisitions, amateurs who are considering buying their first “beautiful watch”, but also the curious who are discovering the world of watchmaking. There’s something for everyone, and the exhibitors, often founders or craftsmen themselves, are happy to engage in discussion.
Why go there?
One might ask: after all, why travel across a city, or even a country, to see watches that can be found on the Internet? The answer lies precisely in the experience offered by the Toronto Timepiece Show.
Here, you can try out watches. Feel them on your wrist. See the light playing on the dial, feel the weight of a case, compare finishes. These sensations, impossible to transcribe on an online photo, are essential when you’re really interested in watchmaking.
It’s also an opportunity to meet the people behind the brands. When you buy a watch from an independent, you’re also buying a story, a vision. Talking to the designer, understanding what inspired him, discovering his projects… all this gives an extra dimension to the object.
Last but not least, the show is an opportunity to discover emerging brands. In the midst of the watchmaking news, it’s easy to overlook small, talented companies. Toronto offers a space where these micro-brands can reveal themselves, and where visitors can fall under the spell of an unexpected piece.
Practical tips
If you’re planning to visit the Toronto Timepiece Show 2025, a few tips are in order.
First of all, book your tickets early. The show is growing in popularity and it would be a shame to find yourself without access. Then, organize your time: with over 80 brands present, it’s easy to get lost and not take full advantage. Make a short list of the exhibitors you absolutely must see, but also leave room for spontaneous discovery.
For those coming from afar, Toronto is a great city to visit. Enjoy the show, but leave a day or two to explore its lively neighborhoods, restaurants and lakeside. This will turn your watchmaking trip into a real cultural getaway.
The Toronto Timepiece Show 2025 is not just another show in the watchmaking landscape. It’s an event that embodies a new way of experiencing watchmaking: more open, more accessible, more human.
Whether you’re a seasoned collector or a curious amateur, you’ll find plenty to feed your passion at Toronto. Encounters, discoveries, trials, and above all that warm atmosphere that makes all the difference.
So, if you’re lucky enough to be in Canada in September 2025, or if you’re looking for a good excuse to cross the Atlantic, don’t miss this appointment. The watchmaking world is meeting in Toronto, and you could well find your next favorite piece or open up new opportunities.
