Watches, Conversations And Community: Inside The Sunday Brunch Hosted By The Hour Markers
3 min read
On 17th May, Mumbai’s watch collecting community came together for a relaxed yet lively Sunday brunch hosted by the voice of India- The Hour Markers. Set against the warm and inviting atmosphere of Rustomjee Parishram in Bandra, the gathering brought together collectors, enthusiasts and friends for an afternoon that celebrated not just horology, but the culture and camaraderie that surrounds it.
As collectors arrived, tables quickly transformed into miniature exhibitions of modern watchmaking. Timepieces were carefully placed side by side, sparking conversations around craftsmanship, collecting journeys and recent releases. Naturally, one topic dominated discussions across the room: the ever-controversial Swatch x Audemars Piguet collaboration. Opinions were passionate, debates were animated and perspectives varied widely, making it one of the most engaging talking points of the afternoon.
A unique highlight of the brunch was the display of specially curated tarot-inspired cards featuring iconic watches along with interesting snippets of information about each piece. More than just decorative elements, the cards became natural conversation starters, encouraging guests to exchange stories, opinions and knowledge about the watches featured. The concept added a creative and interactive layer to the event, blending horology with art and storytelling.
A collector based in London shared, “In order to purchase a watch that I had my eyes on at Patek Philippe, I had to go through an extensive process. Unless you have not purchased a Calatrava as well as a Grand Complication from the maison, they don’t even accept your interest, forget allocating you a watch!”
Adding a playful competitive spirit to the brunch was an interactive quiz session where guests were divided into two teams: The Green Pops and The Reds. Participants battled it out through a series of multiple-choice questions centred around watches, brands and horological trivia. The energy in the room rose with every round as teams enthusiastically discussed answers and challenged one another. By the end of the session, one team emerged victorious, earning both bragging rights and applause from fellow collectors.
Beyond watches, the brunch embraced the spirit of leisure and community. Guests spent the afternoon indulging in games of pool, carrom and chess, creating an atmosphere that felt warm, unhurried and deeply social. Conversations moved seamlessly between watches, travel, collecting experiences and life itself, reinforcing how collecting often extends beyond objects into genuine friendships and shared passions.
Purchase stories were another topic of discussion as collectors recalled their respective journey towards purchasing their most coveted watches. One collector commented, “A lot of retailers have this concept of bundling where they propose that you buy some of their entry level watches under the retailer and once you complete those purchases, they will allocate you a higher end watch that you had your eye on.”
Complementing the afternoon was an indulgent spread of food and bite-sized delicacies that kept guests lingering long after the formal activities had concluded. The relaxed setting, engaging activities and enthusiastic participation from the collectors made the brunch a memorable success. The Sunday brunch hosted by The Hour Markers was a true reflection of the voice of India which showcased the evolving culture of watch collecting in India. This has been built not only around rare timepieces, but around connection, conversation and community.
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