A Day Out With the Watchfam

There’s something special about getting together with the watchfam—or as we like to say, the Wuddys. I recently made another trip to meet up with some great folks, and as always, it didn’t disappoint. This time around, I was able to link up with Phil (@swisswatch_ing), James (@the_timist_ig), Corey (@enthuseddad), Andrew (@bigfatmeows_watch_journey), Conor (@watches_and_blunders), and, of course, me (@Watchcology). We were super lucky that the timing worked out, and the day was packed with watches, good food, and even better conversation.

We hit up three different watch shops, which had some serious eye candy—Rolex, Breitling, JLC, Omega—you name it, we saw it. We even got to check out some vintage Omega pieces thanks to Enzo, and one shop let us try on an Audemars Piguet (AP), which is always a treat. Watches like that never get old.

Phil, being the absolute champ that he is, brought along some killer pieces for us to try on—an Omega Tin Tin and his IWC Black Aces. As for me, I was lucky enough to wear Andrew’s Submariner all day (thanks again, Andrew!). I also had with me a Maurice Lacroix Aikon, which was generously lent to me by Maurice Lacroix’s North America point person, Andre Niklaus. Not many in the group had much experience with it, but that’s what makes these meetups so cool—you never know what’ll pop up.

Corey brought his Glashütte Original, which was absolutely stunning, and James, of course, had his Omega Snoopy in full glory. Conor showed up with his latest acquisition—an absolute stunner of a Rolex OP 41 in green. It’s one of those watches that’s even better in person. Corey also let us check out his Fears which was also a very special piece and if you don’t know Fears go check them out immediately…after you finish reading this.

What makes these meetups so fun is not just the day itself but the anticipation leading up to it. Knowing we’ve got a day of watches and good conversation ahead is something I always look forward to. There’s something about sharing a hobby like this that instantly brings people together. And while we spend a lot of time talking watches, what I love even more is how naturally we connect on everything else—work, life, family. It’s like watches are just the starting point, and from there, the conversation flows. The ability to relate to both watches and the real world is such a cool byproduct of these gatherings and of shared hobbies in general. 

I realize this post is more about my personal experience than diving into a particular watch or doing a review, but I think this is a topic that a lot of people are looking to connect with. If you’re interested in expanding your connection to the watchfam beyond social media, I highly recommend checking out your local watch group or a RedBar event. There are so many fun ways to meet amazing people in the watch community, and the connections you build are truly great!

Of course, the day wasn’t all watches. We grabbed some dinner, had a few drinks, and even finished things off with ice cream. It was just a chill day of hanging out, talking watches, and enjoying good company.

At the end of the day, it’s not just about the pieces on our wrists—it’s about the friendships that come with them. These are the days that remind me why I love being part of this community so much.

Thanks for reading!