VO’Clock Privé: From 18 to 20 March contemporary watchmaking returns to Vicenzaoro

Mark these dates: from Friday 18 to Sunday 20 March. It is the weekend of VO’Clock Privé, a super-salon event that sees the renewal of the usual meeting where the varied community of Italian contemporary watchmaking fans come together with brands, insiders and specialised media. All of this will take place at Vicenzaoro, a prestigious European reference point for the gold and jewellery industry, the main event – together with Sigep – organised by Rimini-based IEG (Italian Exhibition Group), listed on the Milan Stock Exchange and a leader in the sector. And once again for this edition, WATCH INSANITY and WATCHOUSE will be partners with an exclusive lounge where our forum members can meet the houses and master watchmakers.

FROM LUXURY & GLOBAL BRANDS TO INDEPENDENT BRANDS, TO QUARTZ GIANTS AND ONLINE BEST SELLERS, ALL SEGMENTS ARE REPRESENTED AT VO’CLOCK PRIVÉ

The “tightrope walker” Marco Carniello, Group Brand Director Jewellery & Fashion at IEG (in short, he is the boss of Vicenzaoro), is doing a really good job and has lined up twenty-five brands representing all segments for the forthcoming edition. 

The setting is the one that usually distinguishes the cosy atmosphere of the Vicenza event, with the watchmaking companies located in elegant lounges in the evocative setting of the foyer on the first floor. And, just to name a few, they range from the big names such as Zenith, Girard-Perregaux, Bell & Ross, Junghans, Corum, Ball and Perrelet to theindependents of the AHCI (Académie Horlogère des Créateurs Indépendants) of the calibre of Vincent Calabrese and David Candaux, to the exponents of the Italian high range, such as Eberhard, Locman (who together with the Oisa 1937 manufacture will present a world exclusive preview), Paul Picot, SQUALE, Romeo Ferraris and Wyler Vetta, through to the giants Casio andTimex and the international phenomena of the online world such as Unimatic and Venezianico. In fact, it has been a long time since an event based in Italy has brought together such a heterogeneous group of brands capable of reaching the tastes and pockets of all watch lovers and consumers.

A RETURN TO THE GLORIOUS DAYS OF WATCHMAKING IN VICENZA?

In this sense it could be an extraordinary return to the glories of the past. In fact, not everyone knows that until the beginning of the Nineties Vicenzaoro – which took its current name in 1984, while the “Gold Fair” in Vicenza has existed since 1954 – counted on the presence of almost all the Swiss high-end brands, which exhibited their novelties here. Even, attesting this centrality, in 1992 Antiquorum – at that time the only specialised auction house in the sector – organised its most important auction of the year right here, as part of the January edition. Then, inevitably, the emergence of the great luxury centres, which over the years have swept up most of the top brands, brought the events back to Switzerland, between Basel and Geneva, with Vicenza concentrating more and more on the core business of jewellery in its entire chain. Since 2016, however, the world of watches has returned to Vicenzaoro, first with a selection of independent contemporary brands and then, in parallel, from January 2020, with the VO Vintage section. And now with an increasing focus on contemporary brands which pleases Italian enthusiasts.

NOT ONLY NEWS, BUT ALSO LIVE EVENTS AND TRAINING COURSES WITH FHH AND CAPAC

The event will also feature a very interesting sort of live show with master craftsman Sante Castignani – famous for his timepieces entirely handmade in Italy, down to the dials, cases, hands, glasses and every other detail, including buckles and cases – who, in partnership with watchmaking equipment giant Bergeon, will make one of his watches live during the Vicenza event. At the same time, enthusiasts will be able to take part in training sessions with authoritative Italian and foreign institutions. 

Starting with courses run by the FHH (Fondation de la Haute Horlogerie) with two sessions to explore how the tourbillon and chronograph, as well as the fascinating complication of the perpetual calendar, work, together with lessons with trainers from the Milan CAPAC watchmaking school to learn the basics of mechanical watchmaking and acquire the skills to assemble and dismantle a mechanical movement directly in the classroom. In addition to all this, there will also be the usual programme rich of in-depth talks with important names in the watchmaking sector. So, see you in Vicenza. We look forward to seeing you in the WATCH INSANITY and WATCHOUSE lounge for a chat over a spritz!

By Michele Mengoli