Chicago’s Gold Coast played host to a lively gathering of watch aficionados last night as WatchTime once again joined with online luxury consignment house The RealReal to host an “Evening of Experts” collectors’ event at Drumbar, a popular rooftop cocktail lounge with a spectacular city skyline view, in the Windy City’s Raffaello Hotel.
The event featured notable vintage and modern timepieces from the RealReal’s collection — including a rare Vacheron Constantin Mercato “The Americas,” a Ulysse Nardin Sonata, and several notable Patek Philippe references — which guests could see and try on. The evening’s centerpiece was a panel discussion on watch authentication, the secondary market, and the evolution of luxury retail in the digital age, moderated by WatchTime digital media editor Mark Bernardo, and featuring two members of the RealReal’s experienced horology team, Lance Maxwell and Rebecca Fisher. Guests were able to choose from a variety of fine wines, imported and microbrew beers, and a selection of whiskeys and cocktails, while snacking on light hors d’oeuvres, mingling with fellow Chicago-area watch lovers, and receiving free valuations by the RealReal experts of their personal timepieces. Bernardo, Fisher and Maxwell, and WatchTime events manager Minda Larsen also mingled with the attendees. Scroll down to see photos from the event, and keep following WatchTime.com for a planned hands-on review of a rare timepiece from the RealReal’s selection.
Interested in attending an event when WatchTime comes to your town? Contact Minda Larsen, events manager, at mlarsen@watchtime.com.
I’d like to be added to events when they’re held in Chicago. Thank you