This year has (finally!) seen a very welcome return to the in-person events marking the calendar of the watch world. It has been refreshing to be able to enjoy (even if from afar) the return of events such as Dubai Watch Week in January, as well as Watches & Wonders and the AHCI’s Masters of Horology event in Geneva in March.
Across these events we have seen some amazing and exciting watch releases from a multitude of brands and independent watchmakers, and these events provide a wonderful opportunity to be able to get hands-on with some of these new releases, as well as rare timepieces that you may not otherwise be afforded the opportunity to see up close.
It is understandable, therefore, that the anticipation for the return of in-person watch events has been building for a long time; these events have been well attended and enjoyed by watch enthusiasts from all around the world.
And so, just as the dust has started settle after these, it is exciting to see another new event joining the calendar for the first time – Johnny McElherron and The Watch Press’ inaugural International Festival of Time which is taking place in Waterford, Ireland, between 20th and 22nd May.
The International Festival of Time – Waterford, Ireland
Waterford, Ireland
In it’s inaugural year, the International Festival of Time will be bringing some of the world’s foremost watchmakers and clockmakers together in Ireland for the first time, the culmination of years of work by The Watch Press editor, Johnny McElherron.
The list of exhibitors is very impressive, and I think a testament to the passion, enthusiasm and knowledge of the event’s organiser (I have added a full list of exhibitors with links at the end of this article). Despite being an inaugural event, the International Festival of Time has succeeded in attracting established names, including 6 current or former members of the AHCI.
Exhibitors include established names such as Vianney Halter (check out my interview with him here) who just this year announced his La Resonance masterpiece, driven by two oscillators coupled by acoustic resonance; Bernhard Lederer, who after ten years of work with his team realised their ambition to create the Central Impulse Chronometer, which won the GPHG Innovation Prize in 2021; and Andreas Strehler, an independent watchmaker who helped develop H. Moser & Cie’s award-winning perpetual calendar movement and also the Harry Winston Opus 7.
Vianney Halter's La Resonance, photo – © The Horophile
Vianney Halter's La Resonance, photo – © The Horophile
As well as these established names, also in attendance will be some of independent watchmaking’s most exciting emerging talent, with the likes of Philippe Narbel and Christian Lass, a former master watchmaker of the Patek Philippe Museum in Geneva.
Of course, there is a strong contingent of Irish watchmaking as well: brothers and master watchmakers Stephen and John McGonigle will be in attendance, as well as Bryan Leech from Irish independent watch brand, Sidereus.
For those in attendance on Friday 20th May, there will also be an opportunity to attend a talk held by David Rooney, an author and the former curator of timekeeping at the Royal Observatory in Greenwich, talking about both his work and also his book “About Time: A History of Civilisation in Twelve Clocks” (affiliate link).
Why Waterford?
Waterford, Ireland
Waterford is Ireland’s oldest city, having been established in 914 AD by Vikings from Norway, so there is an incredibly rich history to the city with a myriad of stories to be told. One of these lesser-known stories is that of how Waterford could have become a horological centre to rival Geneva, making it the perfect city to host the International Festival of Time!
The Geneva Revolution in 1782 saw an attempted rebellion by the Huguenot lower-middle class, who had been excluded from voting or serving in office within the Canton of Geneva – many of whom were watchmakers. A token gesture to grant these rights to a small number of individuals was eventually blocked in 1782, prompting the revolutionists to take action. However, the revolution was snuffed out, with prominent supporters formally banished and large numbers of people leaving Geneva.
Many of these people left Geneva for Waterford, following an invitation to start a new life in Ireland, and headed for the newly constructed New Geneva Barracks which had been built to accommodate an anticipated 1000 Swiss artisans.
New Geneva Barracks, photo – Wikipedia user "RTG"
Ultimately, the new community of Swiss didn’t settle long term, with many moving back to France or Switzerland. And it is interesting to imagine what could have been, had those 1000 or so artisans settled in New Geneva in Waterford on a more permanent basis – perhaps the centre of the watchmaking world could very well have ended up in south-east Ireland!
Waterford Treasures and the Irish Museum of Time
The Irish Museum of Time
Whilst the New Geneva Barracks are a little way out from the city centre, the venue for the event is in heart of Waterford. Within an area called the Viking Triangle, sits the spectacular Waterford Treasures complex – a group of five museums, including the newly opened Irish Museum of Time. Within this beautiful, restored 18th Century gothic church is where the International Festival of Time will be held, in amongst the museum’s collection of long case clocks, table clocks and watches.
It truly is the most perfect setting to host the contemporary watchmakers practicing the traditions of mechanical watchmaking and promises to make the event a wonderful experience.
The Irish Museum of Time
Inside the Irish Museum of Time
As promised earlier, the full list of confirmed exhibitors is:
John McGonigle | Stephen McGonigle | Andreas Strehler | Vianney Halter | Bernhard Lederer | Thomas Prescher | Paul Gerber | Marc Jenni | Patrik Sjögren (of GoS) | Philippe Narbel | Christian Lass | Albert Edelmann (of Zeitwinkel) | Bastien Vuilliomenet (of Lundis Bleus) | Giles Ellis (of Schofield Watches) | Bryan Leech (of Sidereus) | Rune Bakkendorff
In Summary
Whilst I unfortunately won’t be able to attend this year’s inaugural event, however I am excited to see something like this taking place a little closer to home, and it makes for a wonderful opportunity for the watch community in Ireland to enjoy some of the finest independent watchmaking in the world. I am already looking forward to next year’s event!
The International Festival of Time will run from Friday 20th – Sunday 22nd May between 10am and 5pm each day, with admission via the “Freedom of Waterford” ticket for the five Waterford Treasures museums, costing €15.
Admission to David Rooney’s talk on Friday 20th is free, but tickets should be reserved via medievalreception@waterfordcouncil.ie
For more information, follow the International Festival of Time on Instagram or contact Johnny directly via media@thewatchpress.com
If you have any questions, please get in touch via our Contact page, or via our Instagram.
You might also be interested in:
- Phillips ‘Made in Germany’ A. Lange & Söhne Exhibition
- In Conversation with Vianney Halter
- Recommended Reading: ‘The Independent Spirit: Time makers since 1985’ by AHCI
- Watch Stationery and Gift Ideas
- Watch Books, Watch Boxes and more at the Watch Affinity Shop on Amazon (commissions earned)
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