The inaugural Watch Week Aspen, to be held this summer and include such brands as Audemars Piguet, Bremont, and Panerai, will give horologists and watch fans an array of top timepieces to shop and events to enjoy in one of the most beautiful cities in the United States, organizers say.
Scheduled for Aug. 8–11 in a variety of locations around the Colorado ski town, Watch Week Aspen will highlight the joy of watch collecting, watch manufacturing, and the relationships people build around these fascinating machines, says event founder Elizabeth Smith, managing director of the Aspen Oliver Smith Jeweler boutique.
“The goal of Watch Week Aspen is to be a collaborative event for both watch enthusiasts and the local Aspen watch retailers, of which there are many,” Smith tells JCK in an email interview.
Audemars Piguet will have a watchmaker on-site in Aspen, giving demonstrations on movements, and will feature some rare and special watches at the brand’s boutique. Among other events scheduled for Watch Week Aspen, Oliver Smith Jeweler will host a panel on the preowned watch market, and Panerai will present a showcase of upcoming releases.
“We hope the event will encapsulate our family’s passion for the outdoors, which inspired Oliver Smith’s design of the Cairn collection. It’s the watches, it’s Aspen, and the love of the Smith family for this very special place on earth, bringing it all together and making it a destination in August for people to come and discover together,” Smith says.
Aspen is famous as a winter destination, for skiing and snowboarding, but Watch Week will allow attendees to experience what locals call “the secret season,” says Smith. “The charm of Aspen is that it’s a relaxing, safe environment where attendees can enjoy all the best that the small town offers—outdoor activities, connection, and shopping,” she says.
Smith says the idea for Watch Week Aspen started from a desire to build community, foster collaboration among the city’s watch retailers, and bring more attention to Aspen as a watch and tourist attraction. Events are designed to emphasize knowledge sharing, exclusive previews, and the outdoors.
Watch Week Aspen will open with a welcome cocktail reception, presented by watchmaker Parmigiani Fleurier, on Thursday, Aug. 8. The next day, Oliver Smith Jeweler will lead an e-bike ride to the iconic Maroon Bells. Watch enthusiasts can also sign up for paddleboarding with Bremont.
“All of the activities will be listed on the Watch Week Aspen website, and attendees can choose what they would like to attend while making friends and new connections along the way,” says Smith.
Events are still being confirmed for Watch Week, and Smith recommends that potential participants preregister for activities and join the mailing list via the Watch Week Aspen website for updates, as space may be limited.
Top: Aspen’s natural beauty will provide the backdrop for the first edition of Watch Week Aspen. (Photos courtesy of Oliver Smith Jeweler)
Follow JCK on Instagram: @jckmagazineFollow JCK on Twitter: @jckmagazine
Follow JCK on Facebook: @jckmagazine
