SalonQP 2011 - Review

With record numbers of visitors and exhibitors this year, SalonQP has firmly established itself as an unmissable event for anyone who's anyone in the watch world. Staged at the Saatchi Gallery for this third edition, the event took place over three days 10-12 November giving watch enthusiasts the opportunity to get up close to pieces from many of their favourite brands.

Forty-two brands took part, spanning thegrandes maisonsof Jaeger-LeCoultre and Vacheron Constantin and smaller, independent makers such as MB&F and Speake-Marin, showing watches ranging from the simple and the contemporary to the most complicated of minute-repeaters and tourbillons. Joining them at SalonQP was luxury car maker Jaguar, one of SalonQP's official sponsors, and John C Taylor with his Chronophage.

Confirming SalonQP's growing importance in the watch industry, this year's event saw the UK debut of brands such as Heritage Watch Manufactory, March LA.B, Manufacture Royale, John Isaac Genève and Ressence as well as the world debut of the Schofield Watch Company. SalonQP was also the setting for new watches to be unveiled including Graham's Swordfish Iris, Speake-Marin's Spirit and the undoubted horological highlight of the show, the newly completed Daniel's Anniversary watch.

It was Ronnie Wood, however, who created the biggest stir at the opening reception when he arrived to unveil his collaboration with Bremont - the first in a series of B-1 Marine Clocks with dial painted by Wood. The unveiling saw SalonQP's first paparazzi moment with everyone keen to capture the moment.

SalonQP is proving increasingly popular with collectors and enthusiasts, and this year total visitor numbers reached over 5000. We have had a fantastic amount of coverage for SalonQP, both leading up to and after the event. This ranged from broadsheet news items via our media sponsor, the Telegraph to coverage on the BBC. The social media coverage on Twitter, Facebook and watch and luxury blog sites was also impressive.

John Galt of The Watch Lounge sums up the event:

"With a show like this over two floors there is a stand and a watch to suit everyone's taste, be they traditional or cutting edge. No sales at the show means just friendly and knowledgeable brand representatives on hand who are more than willing to show and explain to you timepieces that you normally wouldn't ever get to see or hold close up (at least not without the aid of a black American Express card). I personally came away from the show with significantly more knowledge of the inner workings of a timepiece and a renewed appreciation for just how much work it takes to make each of these exquisite creations."

SalonQP 2011 was sponsored by Jaguar and GranularIT and its official media partner was the Telegraph Media Group.

Interactive features

SalonQP is all about discovery and the extra space available at the Saatchi Gallery means this year's event will also include an exciting array of elements designed to bring the world of fine watchmaking to life.