RollieFest 2025: Zach shares what it’s like to be at the best, most exclusive watch collector meetup in the world
Zach BlassI think I nearly broke skin due to how many times I had to pinch myself to be sure I was not dreaming. Two years ago, I was extended my first invitation to go to RollieFest, but I had to reluctantly decline due to the fact that I needed to be out of the country for work at the same time. This year, however, the stars aligned, and after all the FOMO I felt seeing the photos from the 2023 edition, somehow, the 2025 edition of Rolliefest, by many accounts, topped it.
For those less familiar, RollieFest is a biennial event that first started in 2019. This year was the third edition of RollieFest, as the 2021 edition was not held due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It is the brainchild of watch industry titan Geoff Hess, who currently serves as the SVP, Global Head of Watches at Sotheby’s. The invite-only event guest list is a mix of hundreds of watch collectors, dealers, and a selection of journalists like myself. The itinerary for the event is very closely guarded, accessible only via a website requiring a login that clearly states not to share the locations of the event with others. With so many elusive, expensive watches in one place, security is paramount.
So we have covered the who and the when, but what about the where and the why?
“RollieFest has always been about more than just watches – it’s about the people, the stories, and the passion that connect us through horology,” Geoff Hess explains.
“This year’s edition was especially meaningful, not only because of the extraordinary timepieces on display, but also because of the global community that came together to celebrate them. Through three unforgettable Manhattan locations, we brought together horological excellence and the community that defines it.”
The three locations RollieFest guests visited during the two-day event, which I can share now since the event has passed, were the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the World Trade Centre and the Waldorf Astoria. Geoff’s description of “unforgettable Manhattan locations”, as a born and raised NYC kid, is 100% accurate.
On day one, which was really evening one, guests gathered for a welcome cocktail and dinner at the iconic Temple of Dendur room in the Metropolitan Museum of Art. It is a room I have visited countless times as an Upper East Side New Yorker, but not once in my 32 years on this planet had I ever thought I would have a private, seated dinner, after hours, where it was just us in the museum, in front of a small temple built about 15 B.C. It was so surreal.
For reference, the previous edition’s welcome dinner was held at the American Museum of Natural History under the 94-foot model of a blue whale. Naturally, the food was spectacular, and not only did everyone where their best suits and gowns, but also their best watches. It was quite literally the Met Gala of watches. We all could not help but make Night at the Museum jokes. None of us wanted to leave.
Day two, however, was the day when what I can only describe as horological sensory overload ensued. To call it a peak watch experience would be fitting, considering the luncheon was held at ASPIRE on the 102nd floor of the World Trade Centre with a panoramic view of NYC from one of the tallest buildings in the city. Members of the public visiting the observatory must have been very confounded by the “RollieFest 2025 Marine Biology Conference” sign guiding guests of the event to the priority security lane that would lead to the elevator to the 102nd floor.
As I walked into the venue, the 200+ guests were once again spread out across many islands of tables, but in the centre was one long table that I could not even tell you what colour it was with so many boxes and watches sprawled out across it.
Some of my colleagues described the look of the table as a “flea market table”. But the watches covering its entirety were not junk, perhaps hiding a diamond in the rough; rather, it was covered in grail watches – many of which you would not find anywhere else (at least not in the same room all at once). A total auction cataloguer’s dream.
Though called RollieFest, as the event itself states, all brands are welcome. The spectrum of watches was expansive, with both modern and vintage pieces, and countless brands, including everything from big box mainstays like Rolex, Omega, Cartier, Patek Philippe and Breguet to less common independents like Simon Brette, Vianney Halter and Berneron.
Name any brand, and it was more likely to be in that room on the table or on someone’s wrist than not. If you want to get a sense of the various watches brought or worn to the event, I definitely recommend checking out my buddy Mark Kauzlarich’s expansive photo report on Hodinkee.
Before the conclusion of the luncheon, a panel discussion covering topics from “collecting stories and legends of the hobby” to “the shared mindset that unites collectors of art, watches and cars” was held with WatchCheck co-founder Linden Lazarus; Sotheby’s specialists Christina Bohn and Ralph DeLuca; private collectors Fred Savage, Matthew Ivanhoe and Kevin O’Dell, and moderated by Geoff Hess.
Later that evening, the event closed in some respects as it began. Guests gathered for a farewell cocktail at the historic Waldorf Astoria building, sipping beverages and talking watches in the famous indoor winter garden. Though the luncheon was the primary moment to look at all of the watches that were brought to RollieFest, the evening farewell cocktail was another chance before everyone said their goodbyes to connect and mingle with their fellow watch geeks. However, of course, unfathomably cool watches were worn for the closing affair.
However, as Geoff would say, what I really cherished the most was connecting with the other guests. Though many friends and close acquaintances were present, the number of people that I met in person for the first time, though I had been communicating with or following them on Instagram for years, was astounding. It was so great to meet “in the metal”, as we say, and put a face or name to the many usernames that grace my IG feed.
When 2027 arrives, I genuinely cannot fathom how Geoff will top the 2025 edition of RollieFest. But, then again, that is probably what everybody said after the second edition. So, if I were a betting man, I think it is safe to say Mr Hess will definitely pull it off… Hope you all have a wonderful weekend!
Zach and the Time+Tide Team
Watch meme of the week: #WISmath
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As Brodinkee captioned it, all I hear is Mike Myers as Dr Evil saying, “riiiiiiigggggght.” Whatever we have to tell ourselves, eh?
Wristshot of the week: Maximus is entertained with Maurice de Mauriac
Our friends at Maurice de Mauriac had a very unexpected, but very welcome visitor. The star of acclaimed films such as Gladiator and A Beautiful Mind, along with our most viewed YouTube video of all time, Russell Crowe visited Maurice de Mauriac in Switzerland while he was in town for the Zurich Film Festival.
According to the story, which broke on Swiss news outlet 20 Minuten, Crowe was not instantly recognised by Masha Dreiffus, sister of Leonard and Massimo Dreiffus, when he came into the boutique. But after a fan of Crowe’s in the store wanted to take a photo with him, she asked the mystery man who he was and immediately texted her brothers after she discovered it was none other than Rusty himself. Though most would recognise the famed actor, according to Masha’s account, Crowe enjoyed the novelty of not being recognised.
Apparently, Crowe needed no brand backstory or sales pitch; he simply pulled out his phone and showed all the models he had screenshotted after combing the brand’s offerings that he wanted to purchase for himself and for his bodyguard. In particular, as a tennis fan, Crowe wanted the Wimbledon limited edition of the Rallymaster, which he would later wear as he accepted an award at the ZFF. A very cool moment for Maurice de Mauriac, especially since Crowe invited the siblings to attend the ZFF, too!
Time+Tide Shop pick of the week: Norqain Wild One Skeleton 42mm Purple Limited Edition
Norqain just launched a new Wild One Skeleton 42mm Purple Limited Edition, and in the U,K it is available exclusively via Time+Tide for the month of October! Developed with the legendary Jean-Claude Biver and created with world-renowned supplier BIWI, the Wild One Skeleton’s exclusive NORTEQ case is six times lighter than steel and 3.5 times lighter than titanium at just 78 grams – yet it is 200 metres water-resistant and capable of withstanding 5,000 Gs. This 400-piece limited edition is the first Wild One to be executed with a stunning violet colour and is affixed to a colour-matching purple rubber strap. Even the SuperLuminova within the hands matches the colour theme with a lilac hue.
If you are in the UK and are interested in purchasing the watch, it will be available exclusively at our London Time+Tide Discovery Studio for October – so you’ll want to swing by 4 Great Portland Street to check it out.
You can check out and purchase the new Norqain Wild One Skeleton 42mm Purple Limited Edition at our Discovery Studios, or online at the Time+Tide Shop here. Price: £4,430.00 (available while quantities last)
Our favourite Time+Tide coverage of the week
Geneva Watch Days and beyond: the Time+Tide Team shares our favourite watches of September 2025
This September has been a particularly stacked month as far as watch releases go. Not only did we see the biggest edition of Geneva Watch Days yet – with a cavalcade of releases reflecting the fair’s growing status – but we also had some of the watch industry’s most respected Maisons drop some seriously heavy-hitting horological creations. Discover the team’s favourite watches of September here.
Longines expands the Spirit pillar with a time‑only Pilot and a flyback chronograph
What are the headlining elements of the new Longines Spirit Pilot and Longines Spirit Pilot Flyback? Well, for starters, you will notice that both watches no longer have the five applied stars on their dials. But for the rest of our hands-on overview, you’ll need to watch the video above or read our full hands-on review.
The history of the Girard-Perregaux Laureato, an innovative 70s icon that continues to evolve today
Born three years after the Royal Oak and one year before the Nautilus, Jason goes in-depth on the history of the legendary Girard-Perregaux Laureato in honour of its 50th anniversary this year.