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A new global platform for horology will launch in Abu Dhabi with the debut of The Escapement, a collector-led gathering designed to show how watchmaking is experienced, discussed, and shared.
Taking place 20–22 November 2026 in Abu Dhabi, The Escapement will bring together collectors, watchmakers, and founders for a three-day programme of conversations, masterclasses, cultural performances, global music performances, and exclusive unveilings. Phase Two will be revealed in June, with further details on venue location and ticket sales.
Conceived and produced by lifelong horology enthusiasts, the platform introduces a new format for consumer events in horology; one that prioritises experience over transactional product launches. Rather than positioning watches purely as objects of sale, The Escapement approaches horology as a living culture, intersecting with music, design, art, and contemporary creative dialogue.
Confirmed participating brands include Greubel Forsey, Louis Vuitton, Rexhep Rexhepi, Chopard, Biver, and Romain Gauthier, amongst others.
Industry Leaders Support the Inaugural Platform
Michel Nydegger, CEO of Greubel Forsey, said:
“Greubel Forsey has always been dedicated to pushing the boundaries of watchmaking while remaining deeply connected to the collecting community. The Escapement offers a setting where that relationship can flourish: where we can share our ideas and our passion with the people who care about them most.”
Anish Bhatt, Co-Founder of The Escapement, added:
“Collectors have always been the people who give horology its meaning, yet the formats through which watches are presented rarely reflect how collectors actually engage with them. The Escapement was created to change that, to build a platform from the collector’s perspective, where watches are understood not just as objects, but as stories, craft and culture.”
A Platform Built From the Collector’s Perspective
At the centre of The Escapement is a simple idea: to return horology to the collectors who give it meaning.
Programming is designed around how collectors engage with watches, through curiosity, debate, and a desire to understand the craft and ideas behind the pieces they love.
Across the three days, attendees will engage directly with watchmakers and industry leaders through intimate discussions, curated presentations, and masterclasses exploring the technical, philosophical, and creative decisions behind modern watchmaking.
Global-first unveilings and Abu Dhabi-exclusive timepieces will be presented with narrative context and dialogue, allowing collectors to understand what a watch is, but also, why it exists.
Where Horology Meets Culture
The Escapement introduces a day-to-night format that places watchmaking within a broader cultural context.
Live performances and creative programming will accompany the horological presentations, reflecting how modern collectors engage with culture across multiple disciplines.
Rather than serving as entertainment, cultural programming is designed as a core pillar of the experience, creating shared moments that deepen the emotional connection between collectors and makers.
Abu Dhabi: The Global Home of Collector-Led Horology
The Escapement positions Abu Dhabi as the global home of a new collector-led horology platform.
Rather than serving as a stop on the traditional watch industry calendar, The Escapement establishes Abu Dhabi as the place where exciting horological moments happen first.
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