SalonQP Preview 2016
London’s only premier watch show is being held at the Saatchi gallery November 3 - 5th
Article by John Galt
The imposing old girl with its pillared façade sitting just off the infamous King’s Road in London will once again play host to the yearly delight that is SalonQP watch exhibition. The fair brings together brands, watch aficionados, watch collectors and journalists from around the globe to this one of a kind show in the UK. Thinking long and hard of how best to describe this event to non-watch nerds (I do class myself as a nerd) is like thinking back to when you were a small child and your parents took you to Santa’s grotto at Christmas the feeling of anticipation and trepidation of what was to greet you as you enter the mythical wonderland.
The three day event kicks off on Thursday afternoon with the press launch with most of the who’s who of the world’s watch and lifestyle journalists in attendance with some coming from as far away as Australia and the Far East (that’s how highly the show is thought of) to get an early sneak peak of what over 70 exhibitors will be showing. Following on from the press launch is VIP opening night where enough champagne to sink a battleship and canapés to give your gym instructor palpitations will be consumed whilst the conversations flows with fellow journo’s and collectors - some you only get the chance to catch up with once or twice a year.
Personally my favourite day to visit is Friday; saying that I will be in attendance Thursday and Friday to bring you all the trends and gossip from the sometimes mysterious world of horology. Visiting the show Friday gives you a sense of calm after the hullabaloo and sometimes chaos which is opening night, giving you plenty of time to get wander the halls and three floors of the show at leisure. Here are a few brands that already I can wait to see but don’t worry there will be a full report and run down of the show (including opening night) in November’s issue.
Garrick England
Garrick will be debuting their new time piece The Portsmouth with their new hand wound exclusive movement made in partnership with the legendary watch maker Andreas Strehler (maker of the most accurate moon phase watch in the world). Owner David Brailsford quoted as saying:
“From the outset, it was always our intention to make the Portsmouth our finest expression of watchmaking. We have been asked many times why we decided to build the movement in both the UK and Switzerland and the answer is quite simple – we wanted to craft a timepiece for purists, discerning buyers who appreciate mechanical virtue and flawless finishing. Ultimately, it was only Andreas Strehler’s company, UhrTeil AG, which met our exacting standards. Uhr Teil AG is revered within the Swiss watchmaking industry, having created exceptional parts for an array of high-end watch brands. By collaborating with Andreas Strehler, one of the finest watchmakers of his generation, Garrick has ascended to a higher level of watchmaking excellence”
Rebellion
Having first seen Rebellion watches at Basel World this year, I’m looking forward to getting a closer look at their unconventional time pieces, the T-1000 is the one I’m most looking forward to seeing. Inspired by motor racing with its chains and cogs it has a chassis which is machined from a single block of titanium. The unique and elegant curves of its body fully reveal the elite engine through the large sapphire crystal. And what an engine! The T-100 Boasts a revolutionary patented energy distribution system, which gives the T-1000 a power reserve of 1,000 hours. That is 40 days and 40 nights… a world record.
Urwerk
I’m looking forward to seeing the skeletonized version of the URWERK EMC TimeHunter X-Ray. It’s another totally bonkers Urwerk watch released at the beginning of September is their new interpretation of their EMC model, this time they have skeletonized the movement and dial giving a lot more depth and, dare I say, madness to the piece if that is even possible from the mad scientists that work at this watchmakers.
Last but no means least is:
Romain Gauthier Logical One
Even though this piece in titanium (yes.. titanium) and titanium and haute horlogerie are not normally mixed this just works and boy, does it work. The use of light and dark, polished and not polished makes this exquisite, especially with the chain giving it an industrial look. Married with age old practises of the enamel dials makes it stunning; even though the piece was released back in March it has taken me this long to finally be able to get hands-on at SalonQP and I will be interviewing the man himself Romain Gauthier so look out for the article in future issues.
With over 70 exhibitors at SalonQP there is something for everyone’s tastes, even if you only have a slight interest in watches or just like to see the wild and wacky with some pieces on show retailing for way over £100,000. 
Keep an eye on @Riddlemagazine and @johng73 twitter feeds as we’ll be reporting live during the event.
Enquiries: SalonQP, Duke Of York’s HQ, King’s Rd, London SW3 4RY/ www.salonqp.com