WatchTime Chicago 2025 at Burdeen's

It’s a wrap on WatchTime Chicago’s 2025 event. Yet another affirmation of the watch community’s vibrancy, enthusiasts and collectors filled the space Friday at Burdeen’s Jewelry on E. Oak Street in the heart of the Windy City. Cocktails flowed, wrists rolled, and local watch fans were out in force. 

As guests began to arrive, Burdeen’s was illuminated with natural crepusculine light, sparkling vitrines and the shine of horological passion. Guests could discover brands Burdeen’s carries and private nooks also held special little surprises from watch winders and straps to caviar bumps served on the back of your hand.

Center stage, however, were no fewer than thirteen watch brands headlining the scene: Baume & Mercier, Breitling, Glashütte Original, Grand Seiko, IWC, Longines, Norqain, Omega, Panerai, Piaget, Ressence, Roger Dubuis, and Ulysse Nardin. And many of them brought special, new and rare pieces, the kind that watch fans don’t always have the chance to see up close. See the pictures for just a sampling of all the cool and amazing watches we saw.

As always with collector events, though, some of the coolest watches to see were on attendees’ wrists. They often come with stories, too, and for watch fans, this is what it’s all about. The night capped off with several lucky raffle winners taking home some luxury goodies.

On a personal note, it was this East Coaster’s first visit to Chicago, and the locals represented a lively and welcoming watch scene that gives me the inspiration to return soon. There couldn’t have been a better way to see this city, especially in its glowing Friday-night buzz.

It had been 11 years since the last WatchTime event in Chicago, but we can’t wait for the next opportunity. Thank you to Burdeen’s, our brand partners, and all the people that showed up to help make the event a memorable one.

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