Hands On Horology 2026 Hosted By Oracle Time Magazine — Photo Report
Last month, I attended the second — and soon-to-be annual — Hands On Horology event. Hosted by Oracle Time at Protein Studios in Shoreditch, London, the show brought together watch brands from around the world. Representatives from Switzerland, France, Italy, Germany, China, Japan, Britain, Norway, the United States, and many other nations filled the venue. With more than 50 exhibiting brands spread across morning and afternoon sessions, there was plenty to explore. I attended the sold-out morning session with a camera in hand to capture the highlights.
Among the standout attractions was Chris Alexander, better known as The Dial Artist, demonstrating his craft for Priority Pass holders. A silent auction featuring two unique dials also raised funds for the Mind mental health charity. Near the entrance, guests could enter the Wrist Shot Competition by sharing photos of their watches. Entries appeared on a large LED display, with two winners taking home Echo/Neutra timepieces. Priority Pass holders also received a limited-edition WatchGecko × Hands On Horology NATO strap, which doubled as their entry wristband.
Without further ado, let’s get to the photos.
Christopher Ward
First up was Christopher Ward. I always seem to gravitate toward the British-Swiss brand at watch fairs. It usually has something new up its sleeve, and this event was no exception. The newly launched Christopher Ward C60 Pool Diver × seconde/seconde/ (€1,175) brought the same playful spirit as last year’s Desk Diver. With its tongue firmly in cheek, it proved that dive watches do not always need to take themselves seriously.
Alpina
Next came something a little more serious. The Alpina Startimer, unveiled at Watches and Wonders 2026, looked fantastic in person. The collection delivers excellent legibility and impressive wearability. The real challenge is choosing a dial color. For me, the black-dial model in stainless steel remains the pick of the range. At €1,295, especially with the Cordura strap and red stitching, it feels particularly well judged.
Arsène Lippens
Hands On Horology also gave me my first opportunity to try Arsène Lippens. The brand draws inspiration from the founder’s grandfather’s collection of mid-century watches. Think classic Patek Philippe Calatrava proportions mixed with textured fabric dials. My favorite was the Classico Grigio, priced at €1,327.95.
Horage
Horage displayed several strong offerings, including the Lensman 2 Global and the integrated-bracelet Supersede Date. At €5,750, the latter remains one of the more compelling independent sports watches in its segment.
Straum
It’s always a pleasure to visit Straum. The Norwegian brand had several interesting developments on display, including the all-new Frozen Metal with an integrated Grade 5 titanium bracelet. I also got hands-on time with some early prototypes and several sold-out models. Highlights included the Jan Mayen Fratello edition in titanium and the Straum × The Real Time Show Stormy Seas (€1,830).
Awake
Awake showcased some fascinating dial work. The process is highly labor-intensive and produces genuinely unique results. On display were several unfinished dials that illustrated the early stages of production. Some were so attractive that they already looked ready for a watch case. The deep blue example in the center particularly caught my eye. When I asked if that exact dial would ever make it into a final watch, I was told, “That’s not how we do things at Awake.” It seems my cheeky suggestion missed the mark, so I decided it was time to move on.
Dennison
Dennison’s retro-inspired collection sits somewhere between extravagant and refined. Instant legibility is not necessarily the priority here, especially with models like the ALD Dual Time. Still, the watches are great fun, and the stone dials add genuine character. At €600–1,000, they also fall within an accessible price range.
Beaucroft
From a usability perspective, Beaucroft impressed. Both the Contour GMT (€945) and The Arc (€620) demonstrate the Cambridge-based brand’s focus on clarity and practicality. Strong lume and dial-edge markers created some of the most legible watches at the show. Also on display was the Solaris GMT × Time+Tide special edition. The example shown belonged exclusively to the Time+Tide team. Its only distinction is an almost imperceptible Time+Tide logo engraving at 6 o’clock, absent from customer versions.
Venezianico
I had a great time with Venezianico, whose team could not have been more welcoming. One highlight was finally learning how to pronounce the name correctly. The brand combines “Venezia,” the Italian word for Venice, with the suffix “-ico,” meaning “a way of being.” My Anglo tongue needed some practice, but a little operatic hand gesturing certainly helped. The watches themselves looked equally impressive. The standout was the Arsenale with a meteorite dial, priced at €1,200.
Oris
Oris was a welcome surprise among the larger brands attending the event. There were no major new novelties on display, but I did enjoy revisiting the gargantuan 49.5mm Oris Aquis Pro 4000m (€5,700). One interesting detail I learned is that the sapphire crystal is the heaviest individual component of the watch. Looking at the sheer size of it, that’s not hard to believe.
RZE
Singaporean-Canadian brand RZE brought plenty of watches, but my attention immediately shifted to the digital UTD-8000-CKG. The display feels unapologetically utilitarian. Cerakote and DLC coatings help eliminate reflections, reinforcing its tool-watch credentials. At around €400, it has developed a following among active-duty military personnel. I also couldn’t ignore its resemblance to Master Chief’s helmet from the Halo series. The coyote-tan version looked particularly close to modern military equipment.
Atelier Wen
On a more refined note, Atelier Wen displayed its beautifully executed collection of enamel dials and decorative stone case backs. The tantalum Inflection stood out immediately. Its substantial weight and subtle blue-gray sheen gave it a distinct presence. At €26,000, it was also among the most expensive watches I encountered all morning.
BA111OD
My final stop was BA111OD. The Chapter 7 Skeleton Anthracite combines an impressive skeletonized layout with excellent visual balance. It was easily one of the strongest designs I saw all day. Even more surprising was the price. At €1,450, it feels like a lot of watch for the money.
Final thoughts
That was about as much as I could fit into the morning session. Fire regulations required all morning attendees to leave before the afternoon guests arrived, so my time was limited. If I missed your favorite brand, let me know. I’ll be back next year and will try to cover a different selection of exhibitors.
As a final bonus, the Red Arrows and RAF Typhoons flew over the venue during the King’s “Trooping the Colour” celebrations. It was a magical way to end an excellent day.
