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Cover The first issue of ‘Tatler GMT’ was celebrated with a VIP launch party on June 29 (Photo: Anna Koustas / Tatler Hong Kong)

Members of the luxury watch community gathered to celebrate the inaugural issue of ‘Tatler GMT’

Furthering Landmark’s reputation as Hong Kong’s luxury destination for watches and jewellery, the brand co-hosted the launch of the Tatler GMT magazine, in partnership with Tatler on June 29.

This special collaboration between Tatler and Landmark is dedicated to watch enthusiasts and collectors in Asia, providing comprehensive knowledge, valuable resources and exclusive access to the captivating world of horology, supporting Hong Kong’s watch community in fostering its continued growth.

Developed in partnership with GMT, a Geneva-based publication, the new magazine explores the watch culture in Asia and Switzerland, transcending borders and elevating the standards of mechanical horology journalism.

In a celebration for Hong Kong’s watch enthusiasts, with a curated guest list of Tatler community members, Tatler GMT Watch Club, Asia’s Most Influential and Asia’s Most Stylish came together for a dinner and panel discussion and afterparty at Forty-Five. Forty-Five is Landmark’s newly opened hospitality destination and home to five experiential concepts, including the modern Shanghainese restaurant, The Merchants.

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Photo 1 of 7 The inaugural issue of “Tatler GMT” (Photo: Anna Koustas / Tatler Hong Kong)
Photo 2 of 7 Eleanor Lam (Photo: Anna Koustas / Tatler Hong Kong)
Photo 3 of 7 Amanda Strang (Photo: Anna Koustas / Tatler Hong Kong)
Photo 4 of 7 Alex Lam (Photo: courtesy of Landmark)
Photo 5 of 7 Bruce Tong and Chris Tong (Photo: Anna Koustas / Tatler Hong Kong)
Photo 6 of 7 Anne Wang Liu (Photo: Anna Koustas / Tatler Hong Kong)
Photo 7 of 7 Bastian Wong, Bruce Tong, Leslie Tsang, Beatrice Ho, Christopher Sin, Chris Tong (Photo: Anna Koustas / Tatler Hong Kong)

Dressed in their cocktail finest, Wristcheck’s Austen Chu, Brice Lechevalier, chief editor of GMT and Jackie Ho, founder of Watch Ho & Co, together with Tatler Asia’s Jacqueline Tsang, discussed how times have changed through the evolution of the luxury watch industry. The group touched on topics like the growth of haute horology, significant milestones achieved, market dynamics and the future outlook for collectors.

The intimate panel offered a time-lapse of the global industry to date. Speakers Chu and Ho reflected on the shift from learning about watches through traditions and text-based resources to more visual, user-generated content with the birth of social media. The conversation raised the topic of today’s generations having direct access to indie watchmakers, niche marketplaces or larger brands’ stories through Instagram, allowing the average watch collector to be more informed about techniques, craftsmanship and campaign details than ever before.

The panel discussed how the Apple Watch has brought a new level of “wrist awareness” to younger consumers and collectors, reigniting a passion for horology. From an editorial perspective, Lechevalier also expressed his observations about the changes in environment—declining retailers, the rise of certified pre-owned watches—and in design and technical content.

Following the dinner, guests ascended to the 45th floor lounge and sky terrace, Cardinal Point. With music curated by live DJ Daryll Griggs, surrounded by stunning 360-degree views of Hong Kong’s skyline and Victoria Harbour, more than 120 of Hong Kong’s well-known watch lovers and industry enthusiasts partied late into the night.