or two days, the city’s creative energy converged with the craft of watchmaking in a bright, airy venue that traded the formality of Geneva’s watch fairs for California warmth. Collectors, journalists, designers, and first-time buyers moved between booths, talking directly with brand founders and slipping hundreds of watches onto their wrists.

The result? A weekend that felt like both a global summit and a neighborhood get-together, proof that LA has earned a spot on the map of serious watch culture.

Minutes + Hours is built on intimacy. Instead of grand, closed booths, brands present at eye level. Glass cases are fewer, conversations are longer, and “please try it on” is more common than “don’t touch.” That accessibility is intentional. As one microbrand founder put it, “Here, people remember your name, not just your logo.”

The exhibitor list read like a crash course in the diversity of modern watchmaking, blending the prestige of established houses, the ambition of independents, and the daring of microbrands.

Heritage has its own gravity, and LA played host to some of watchmaking’s most respected names: Christopher Ward, Mühle Glashütte, Cimier, Junghans, Maurice Lacroix, MTM Watch, Bremont, Baltic, Milus, Doxa, Favre Leuba and MeisterSinger. Delma had its 1924 Tourbillion movement in a limited edition of 25 pieces per colorway. The 1924 Tourbillion was brilliant in hand.

These brands brought with them the kind of craftsmanship and finishing that have defined horology for generations. Maurice Lacroix’s Aikon Skeleton shimmered under the California sun, Junghans’ Max Bill editions looked effortlessly architectural, and Milus showed why its casework has been quietly admired for decades.

Then there were the brands pushing design language into new territory: Isotope with its distinctive eye-motif dials; Furlan Marri, whose meteoric rise has made them the darling of chronograph collectors; Haim, proving American microbrands can rival Swiss refinement. Heron, and Wise, each with a unique approach to detail and proportion. TSAR Bomba brought sculptural, angular cases that looked like they’d been hewn from the future, while Havaan Tuvali charmed visitors with minimalist, almost meditative dial layouts.

SEL watches drew steady crowds with its bold, precision-engineered designs, appealing to collectors seeking a blend of rugged performance and refined style. Fitwell buckles offer precise adjustment for any watch strap, eliminating the need to deal with uncomfortable hole spacing that is either too tight or too loose. GiantMouse Knives brought a rugged counterpoint to the refined tick of the watches, with their precision-crafted blades.

DWISS, Paulin, Crafter Blue, 5280 Watch Co, Vario, Camp, GEO, Ferro & Company, Mason Watch Collection, Platina, Loci, Nalla Neram, Heinrich, Galvin Watch Company, Compass, Solstice, Second Hour, Verdure, Sunrex, Kneijnsberg, Duckworth Prestex, Venezianico, Sternglas, and Lineage brought everything from bronze divers to modern designs featuring complications. Nalla Neram, an Indian heritage brand, was honored by Switzerland and the European Union with a design patent award for their watch case, lugs, square pushers and dial.

Paulin’s dials with dynamic typography drew a steady crowd, Vario’s vintage military inspired pieces hit a nostalgic sweet spot, and 5280’s enamel dials were miniature works of art in themselves.

Timeless Watches showcased their GPHG Challenge–nominated HMS003, a sleek blend of minimalism and mechanical precision that kept enthusiasts gathered around, drawn by its refined yet approachable design.

From Japan, Casio, Edifice, Casio Vintage, and G-Shock reminded attendees why their innovations in resilience and function remain unmatched. The G-Shock MRG — in titanium with luxury finishing, converted more than a few mechanical purists.

One of the show’s biggest draws was the ability to get up close with the watches.

Bremont hosted an intimate breakfast. Guests gathered over coffee and a nice breakfast to get an exclusive hands-on session with the British brand’s latest creations.

Cimier hosted The Watch Academy. The workshop invited attendees to step behind the bench and, under the guidance of a Cimier watchmaker and assemble a mechanical movement piece by piece with thousands of design and color options. And were able to keep the watch they built.

Isotope Watches showcased four unique new Hydrium Limited Editions, each blending bold design with the brand’s signature playful details.

Christopher Ward’s booth radiated a constant buzz of conversation and curiosity. The British brand’s newest releases, including the much-anticipated Twelve X and the shimmering C65 Dune GMT, drew hands-on interest from collectors and first-time visitors alike.

While the watches were the undeniable stars, the atmosphere was equally magnetic. The event wasn’t just about showcasing products — it was about fostering a culture. Collectors swapped Instagram handles, compared wrist shots, and swapped stories of their most memorable finds.

Brands, too, benefited from the intimate format. Without the noise and impersonality of a massive trade show, conversations could go deeper. Whether it was a microbrand founder explaining the inspiration behind a dial pattern or a heritage maison discussing the evolution of a complication, the exchanges were personal and memorable.

The success of the Los Angeles show sets the stage for what promises to be another standout gathering: Minutes + Hours Austin, taking place November 15–16 at the Petrol Lounge. Known as one of the most unique automotive and enthusiast spaces in Texas, the Petrol Lounge will provide an equally fitting backdrop for the fusion of horology and passion that defines the series.

Collectors can expect the same approachable, community-first ethos, an impressive roster of brands, and special programming designed to make the event more than just a shopping trip — but an experience.

By the time the final minutes of the weekend ticked away, attendees left with more than just wrist envy. They left with stories, about the watch they tried on for the first time, the brand founder they spoke with, the dial detail they couldn’t stop thinking about. Founder Rich Park summed it up best: “This is exactly what we envisioned for Minutes + Hours, a place where the passion for watches becomes contagious. You see it in every handshake, every conversation, and in the way people light up when they discover something new.” Minutes + Hours Los Angeles proved, once again, that when it comes to watch events, intimacy matters. It’s not about being the biggest. It’s about being the one people remember.

And if the buzz from Culver City is any indication, Austin’s turn in November will be one for the books.