The Best Brands Exhibiting at World Time UK 2024

On Saturday 28^th September, WatchGecko’s sibling brand Geckota will be exhibiting at the World Time UK Exhibition, held annually at the Sofitel Hotel at London Heathrow Terminal 5. This is arguably the UK's premier watch event, with worldwide exhibitors displaying their latest models as well as local designs hailing from the UK.

Now in its eighth year, the story began with the creation of the Diver's Watches Facebook Group, back in 2011. The group grew quickly and has since amassed over 87k followers, making it one of the biggest online watch groups. The watch industry soon saw the benefit of this collective and joined in creating a partnership that has spawned the successful exhibition we see today.

For the World Time event, the Sofitel London Heathrow has once again provided exclusive use of their "Zen Garden" which is located near the hotel lobby. Last year, this show was a huge success, with footfall in the thousands and high-end watch companies and micro brands all exhibiting shoulder to shoulder. While the principal intention of the show is for the industry to mix, there is full public access from 2pm to 7pm hours, and tickets are readily available.

This year, the Geckota brand will again be exhibiting, taking with us our latest and most popular WatchGecko straps as well as the full range of Geckota watches (including an exciting new Chronotimer model…) and even a few Boldr models too.

Alongside Geckota, our affiliates Formex, Squale and Aquastar (who are not only exhibiting but acting as Event Principal Sponsor) will all be in attendance but, aside from the WatchGecko Family, who are the best brands to look out for at World Time UK 2024?

First on our list of must-see brands at World Time UK are MAEN Watches. Arriving into Heathrow from Sweden, the brand’s name translates from the Old Dutch word for ‘MOON’, which gives you a good idea not only of where the founders of the brand Jules and Sebastiaan originate from, but also of the symbolic muse behind their vintage-inspired designs.

Having teamed up back in 2017 on the release of the Classic Moonphase, the duo have since released more than 6 collections, acquiring customers internationally from over 90 countries. Their latest release, the Lunar Classic 36, takes the Swedish watchmaker back to its roots with the revival of the MAEN moonphase and it also happens to be my personal favourite.

The 1940s inspired Lunar Classic Collection is presented in four dial variations; creamWhite, Midnight blue, Salmon, and graphite, and features a 36mm stainless steel case, elongated lugs, a striking multi-layer dial and a generous helping of SuperLuminova. Equipped with the reliable Sellita SW280-1 Elaboré Grade Automatic Movement, the package is completed by a power reserve of approximately 40-hours.

Marking their impressive journey as an independent brand and the growth they’ve experienced over the past seven or so years, their second attempt at a moonphase timepiece launches via presale campaign on October 3^rd. Sound like something you'd like to add to your collection? Be sure to check MAEN out in person at World Time UK and keep your eyes peeled on the WatchGecko Magazine for a full hands-on review of the MAEN Watches Lunar Classic 36.

Next up, HEINRICH, an independent German watch brand founded in 2020, designed in Stuttgart and crafted in Pforzheim. Inspired by the iconic watch designs of the 1970s, HEINRICH seeks to revive the creativity and boldness of that era, reimagining it for today’s watch enthusiasts.

Founder Wolfgang Heinrich has a deep passion for the culture of his youth, finding inspiration not only in the movies, cars, and music of the 1970s but especially in the distinctive watch designs. This love for vintage aesthetics led him to create high-quality, independent timepieces that blend the best of the past with modern innovation. Every model is crafted to capture the essence of retro design while offering a fresh take on timeless style, tailored for individualists. As an avid amateur diver, Wolfgang’s first creations were naturally diving watches, reflecting the robust style of 70s dive timepieces.

The brand’s latest release, the Helicoprion Stone Collection, sees the sporty model revived and redefined with elegant gemstone dials. Presented in a choice of bold orange Carnelian for energy, creativity and vitality, or deep blue Lapis Lazuli which symbolises strength, courage and wisdom, the Helicoprion Stone is available for pre-order now on a limited run of just 150-pieces. As rugged as it is sophisticated, the Helicoprion features a screw-down bezel with polished edges, screw-down crown and 200m water-resistance, and is powered by the Swiss Made Sellita SW200-1 Elaboré which is regulated in 4 positions. The Helicoprion is available for pre-order now through to the day of the event.

The story of Marloe Watch Company began in 2015 when Co-Founders Oliver and Gordon joined forces with plans to create a traditional mechanical wristwatch that was not only beautifully engineered but also as affordable as the likes of a high-street fashion watch. Having discovered a cheap, plastic quartz movement at the heart of his own fairly pricey branded watch, a disheartened Oliver was keen to put things right through his very own watches and just 12 months later, the pair succeeded, bringing the first mechanical Marloe watch to the market.

Not ones to shy away from doing things a little differently, since their conception almost ten years ago we’ve seen their catalogue fill out with a dazzling array of designs presented in all shapes, sizes and colours, the likes of which other, more conservative brands could only hope to dream up.

For Marloe though, dreams became reality with the creation of their latest collection, the Daytimer. Developed in an ode to creativity and the power of dreams, the Daytimer resulted from Head Designer Gordon’s sad realisation that the older we get, the less we dare to dream.

Available in four dial variations, the Daytimer is presented with an uncluttered multi-layer dial, seconds subdial at 6 o’clock displaying the date, 41mm stainless steel case inspired by old pocket watch designs and is powered by the Swiss Made Sellita SW-216-1 manual movement with an accuracy of -10/+30 seconds per day. Marloe and their dreamy Daytimer’s will be waiting for you at Table Five in the Zen Garden.

Last but by no means least, we have Clemence Watches. Flying in from picturesque Edinburgh, you can find Clemence Watches, and helmsmen Tom Clemence, at World Time UK, just across the Zen Garden from the Geckota stand.

Having begun his watch collection the same way many of us did, with a plastic Mickey Mouse number, Tom’s fascination with horology was spurred on by the memory of his late grandfather, an avid watch collector. With his father’s fond memories and his grandfather’s Universal Genève watch granting him a doorway to the past, Tom eventually grew out of his first cartoon watch and sought to craft watches as time-proof as the watch his grandfather had left behind.

Keen to begin building his own legacy, Clemence Watches was founded in Scotland in 2021. Design and assembly of Clemence’s watches takes place in Britain and the independent brand are also a proud member of the British Watch & Clock Makers Alliance. Following the success of their debut release, the Photic Diver, Clemence have moved into field watch territory with the Munro now leading the brand into the future.

Inspired by the ‘Dirty Dozen’ watches commissioned by the British Ministry of Defence in World War II, the Munro is housed in a svelte 37.5mm stainless steel case and features Grade A BGW9 Super LumiNova, the automatic Miyota 9039 movement and a decent water-resistance rating of 150m. Presented in four bold dial variations, there’s bound to be something in Clemence’s armoury for every wrist. Don’t believe me? Go check them out at World Time UK…