Munichtime returns to great anticipation

Munichtime opened its doors to watch enthusiasts on October 30th for its second edition, and organiser Rudolf Kreuzberger pulled out all the stops to welcome visitors. Over 50 brands, the majority Swiss, were present in the fully-renovated exhibition hall of the Bayerischer Hof Hotel in the centre of Munich. Munichtime 2009 exceeded all expectations, drawing 9,000 visitors over its three days. Encouraged by these promising results, after Vienna and Munich the fair’s organisers plan to host the next edition of this itinerant show in another German city, such as Berlin or Hamburg.

Exhibitions and information

Following the success of last year’s debut event, every branch of Germany’s watch industry – retail, marketing, communication and media – turned out for the inaugural evening on October 29th. Guests and local personalities had the privilege of previewing the exhibitors’ stands, which were set up in the atrium, the ballroom and the business centre. A panel of judges representing the different branches chose the winning timepieces in the four categories of sport, complication, elegance and ladies’ watches among a hundred selected models. The public who visited the fair on Friday, Saturday and Sunday were also invited to choose their favourite timepieces.

Alongside the collections on show on the stands, different exhibitions and information desks provided additional attractions. Among the organisations present were the Federation of the Swiss Watch Industry (FH), the German Association of Watches, Jewellery and Chronometry and the Bavarian School of Watchmaking. Dr H. Crott, a specialist auctioneer from Mannheim, presented a superb selection of pocket watches to come under the hammer at a forthcoming sale.

Now a major date

“The purpose of Munichtime is to give watch enthusiasts a comprehensive view of brands’ collections and illustrate the diversity of quality timepieces. No shop can offer such a range,” explains Rudolf Kreuzberger, who for several years already has organised the Viennatime fair. The Austrian journalist Alexander Linz, a respected reporter on watches, has assisted him in this venture from the outset. He in turn is helped by the German journalist Gisbert L. Brunner for the concept and presentation of the Munich fair.

With glowing media coverage and positive feedback from visitors guaranteeing a repeat performance next year, Munichtime is fast becoming a key date in the watch calendar. The late October/early November scheduling is a deliberate choice: with most of the major Swiss fairs taking place early in the year, the public is particular receptive during the run-up to the holiday season. Free admission also convinces visitors who might otherwise feel intimidated by such a prestigious event, therefore bringing these exceptional timepieces to a wide audience.