by Brent Robillard
Time spent in the 514
Over the weekend (May 29th-31st), I had the opportunity to attend the inaugural Montreal Timepiece Show in Canada’s second city—a multi-lingual metropolis shaped by history, design, gastronomy, and fashion. In other words, the perfect backdrop for an exhibition on time.
For me, the city has become a second home of sorts. My wife was born there. Much of her family still lives on the island. And I spent an unhealthy number of my salad days roaming the streets of the McGill Ghetto: Avenue des Pins, the pedestrian promenade of McTavish, the cultural corridor of Sherbrooke Street West, and rue Milton—where on a blustery winter night in 2008 I held a book launch at The Word Bookstore. Don’t even get me started on the infamous Peel Pub.
On this particular weekend, I took up residence in Griffintown not far from the Salon Richmond 1861, where thirty-five brands from eight different countries congregated and mingled with close to three thousand visitors—all of whom were hungry for the city’s first large-scale watch show.
The evolution of time
In many ways, the story of Griffintown is the story of Montréal itself. Originally a working class Irish enclave, its inhabitants were responsible for the construction of the city’s railways, the port, and the Victoria Bridge. It was a rough and tumble neighbourhood that experienced the boom and bust of the Lachine Canal era—and on a personal note, it was the setting of my second novel, Houdini’s Shadow. And I couldn’t help but think about how my life as a writer—and now a watch media journalist—had somehow converged or come full circle.
Following the opening of the St. Lawrence Seaway in 1959, the district declined rapidly, becoming a ghost town of abandoned factories and warehouses. But since 2007, as one of Canada’s largest redevelopment projects, the area has blossomed into a trendy district of loft apartment living, funky cafés, trendy restaurants, and micro-breweries. Only steps from the Salon Richmond, you can grab a smoked meat sandwich at the Boucherie Grinder, or a steak-frites at its sister restaurant just down the street on Notre-Dame.
One of the coolest stops during my weekend had to be the Café Got Soul where I had a coffee and a chat with Montreal photographer James Cornish—whose Porsche photos featured in Volume 1, Number 2 of The Calibrated Wrist.
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Salon Richmond 1861
The venue for the event was an inspired choice. The Salon Richmond—originally St. Joseph’s Church—was built in 1861 by the Sulpicians to serve the area and neighbouring Little Burgundy (La Petite-Bourgogne). But today it serves as a hall for galas, weddings, and other special occasions.
Exhibitors and attendees alike were impressed. It was difficult not to be. “It’s amazing,” said Piers Berry, of British brand Pinion Watches. “Beautiful high ceilings… it’s my first show in Canada, so for me it’s all new. I’m meeting new people. And that’s what it’s all about.”
Tyler Worden, of Waterloo-based Worden Watches, said “It’s fantastic. So many great brands here. I’m loving it… I think Montreal is a good fit for my watches. They’re quirky and different. And Montrealers like quirky and different.”
“Montreal is one of my favourite cities,” commented Zakir Miah, of Chicago’s Haim Watch Co, during the more private VIP event on Friday evening. “It’s a cool venue. It’s a good crowd. And this isn’t even the main event. I’m excited to see where it goes. I’m excited just to be here.”
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Montreal’s watchmakers out in force
Native Montrealer, José Cermeño—of the eponymous watch brand—was also on hand. “I have already participated in Toronto and Vancouver. I’m super proud. I live very close by. Now all of family and friends can come and see what it is that I do. They can see the passion.”
Alexandre Desabrais, co-founder of another Montreal-based brand, Solios, was also fascinated with the event. “It’s great. For a first edition, people are having great conversations… coming by the booth very interested. There is a much bigger community than what we thought.”
En français, s’il vous plaît
Perhaps to be expected, the show was also populated by a disproportionate number of French brands, including Baltic, Beaubleu, Carlingue, Humbert-Droz, Jacques Bianchi, March LA.B, Sartory Billard, Serica, SYE and YEMA. “It’s such a beautiful place,” said Tiffany Bachelet of Sartory Billard. “I’ve not been to a salon that’s had such a nice opening. It’s our first time in Canada, so we are excited to meet everyone.”
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Cornerstones of the Timepiece Show Series
As expected, heavy hitters like Christopher Ward and hometown favourites Marathon Watch were slammed with enthusiasts throughout the weekend—sometimes three and four people deep. “Of course, we are excited to be here, as a brand that has its roots in Montreal with the Wein family,” said Marathon’s head watchmaker, Adam Smalley. “We have always found the reception from the people of Montreal to be warm.”
The brand’s newly launched Cerashell Navigator was a big draw throughout both days of the public event. “It’s a great opportunity for people to have the watch on wrist and experience the new bezel, to feel how light it is,” added Harrison McCrindle, Head of Government Operations at Marathon Watch.
Equally popular, however, were watches like Baltic’s Space One collab, Seconde Majeure. “This was a piece that made a lot of noise a few weeks ago when it was launched,” said General Manager for Baltic Watches USA, Rémi Martin. “We are excited for enthusiasts to see it in person.”
They came, they saw, they bought watches
In conversations with enthusiasts and brand owners, it became clear that the Montreal watch community had come prepared to purchase and not just peek. Canada’s Makoto Watch reported that their new Senshi quartz line was a hit with visitors. So was their Limited Edition Track 2 collab with AndoAndoAndo.
“It was steady all weekend,” said Serica’s Gabriel Vachette. And I believe him, because my podcast partner bought one himself.
Lasse Roxrud Farstad of Straum had almost nothing left at the end of the show. Over drinks on Saturday, he showed me his phone where orders were still coming in from Canadian residents. And, well, another of my friends bought one of those.
I have to admit that I was not immune to the frenzy. I bought a watch from March LA.B for my wife. It was epidemic. I do not hold myself responsible.
Watchmaker in the D0ghouse
The Montreal Timepiece Show also had an immersive element–other than retail therapy–thanks to Studio Underd0g. Fans were invited to try their hand at watchmaking under the guidance of the brand’s specialists. This is something enthusiasts will be able to replicate should they ever have the opportunity to visit the D0ghouse Manufacture. The brand, which produces 14 000 watches annually, has shifted production assembly in house. And as of May 2026, visitors to their workshops will be able to participate in the D0ghouse Assembly Experience. If it is anything like what I witnessed in Montreal, it should be an entertaining (and stressful) foray into watchmaking.
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The personal touch
A personal highlight came when Marc Harper of Montres Beaubleu surprised my son for his 23rd birthday with an Ecce Figura Onyx—a tricky bit of subterfuge arranged last month at the Vancouver Timepiece Show. Moments like this, I feel, are only possible when dealing with independent watchmakers. Personalized experiences such as these are difficult to replicate with box brands.
And that is what makes events like the Montreal Timepiece Show so special and immediate. Quite often, you are speaking directly with brand owners and other important stakeholders. You get to know the people behind the watches. You not only hear their stories, but you become part of the journey yourself.
It was Montreal watchmaker and lapidary artist, Alexandre Beauregard, who said once in an interview we had together: “The watch adventure is a human adventure.” That was on evidence in Montreal this past weekend.
In one amusing exchange, I heard Gabriel Vachette—co-founder of Serica—apologize jokingly to a couple for sparking an argument between them over who should own the Ref 5303; it fit them both so well.
To say I had a good time would be a pun. But it would also be an understatement.
The Timepiece Show Series
Timepiece Show organizer and founder, Jason Hutton, has found a way to replicate his formula successfully now in three very different Canadian cities. Enthusiasts who stopped by The Calibrated Wrist booth to pick up the latest edition of our magazine were universally effusive in their praise for both the venue and the exhibition. One man was distraught by the fact that he could not track Hutton down just to say thanks.
“I’m feeling good about this,” said Hutton. “For a first show, it has gone extremely well. I can see this becoming an anchor in the country’s watch scene.”
And I think he’s right. Again.
Gallery of Images
About the author
Brent Robillard is a writer, educator, craftsman, and watch enthusiast. He is the author of four novels. You can follow him on Instagram.
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