Düsseldorf/Munich, August 20, 2026 - From October 23 to 25, 2026, the Rheinterrasse in Düsseldorf once again opens its doors for WatchTime Düsseldorf. For the venue, it is a year with a double occasion: the Rheinterrasse celebrates its own anniversary in 2026, 100 years after it first opened. A century of architectural history thus meets three days of watchmaking craft and personal encounters.
Over the years, WatchTime Düsseldorf has become one of the central meeting points for the German watch scene. Collectors, enthusiasts and newcomers come together, try on watches, and speak directly with brand representatives and watchmakers on site. What defines the event is less the display cases than the conversations that happen between them.
New this year: Miyota is joining as the official movement partner of WatchTime Düsseldorf. The Japanese movement manufacturer ranks among the most significant in the world and, mostly out of sight, powers watches from numerous brands. The partnership brings into the spotlight a part of watchmaking that rarely gets attention - yet without which nothing would run.
Around 50 brands are presenting their latest releases, ranging from established names such as Sinn, Stowa, Fortis and Damasko to younger brands like Circula, Straum and Studio Underd0g. They are joined by specialist partners such as the Bavarian School of Watchmaking Würzburg, the German Society for Chronometry, and the Rheinterrasse itself as host venue. The full exhibitor list (as of August 20, 2026) can be found in the fact box at the end of this release.
Alongside the exhibitor stands, a supporting programme awaits that appeals to collectors and the simply curious alike. In watchmaking workshops with eight seats each, participants get hands-on with gears and movements, held across five sessions over the three days. Guided tours explain brands and manufactures that are easy to miss on a self-guided walk-through. Those looking to unwind will find tastings from Villiger, Bushmills and 1800 inviting visitors to linger between the display cases. For anyone bringing their own watch along, practical services are also available on site: demagnetisation, an accuracy check, and a valuation by auction experts, particularly useful for owners of vintage pieces and heirlooms. In the afternoons, talks and panel discussions explore current topics in the watch industry; the full conference programme will be published shortly on watchtime.net.
WatchTime Award powered by eBay enters its third year
The WatchTime Award, powered by eBay, is also presented as part of WatchTime Düsseldorf. In 2025, the awards were held for the second time, with winners including Stowa, Formex, Sinn and Fortis; Jupp Philipp was honoured as Watch Person of the Year. 2026 marks the third edition, with an expanded jury and a newly named category.
Four categories are up for the award, decided through two different processes. For the Collectors Choice Award, the decision rests solely with the readers of watchtime.net; there is no jury pre-selection: exhibitors of WatchTime Düsseldorf submit their standout model, and the community alone then votes. In the three remaining categories, a jury first reviews all submissions and selects ten nominees per category, on which readers then vote. The Visionary Leadership Award, successor to the former Watch Person of the Year category, honours industry leaders who shape the sector through entrepreneurial vision and bold decisions. Innovation of the Year celebrates technical and craft advances in watchmaking. Design of the Year recognises watches that stand out through design and execution.
For the three juried categories, a panel drawn from editorial, retail and craft comes together in 2026: Daniela Pusch, Unit and Editorial Director at WatchTime; Julia Verpoorten, Category Lead Luxury at eBay Germany; and Michael Eberlein, master watchmaker and lecturer at the Bavarian School of Watchmaking Würzburg. New to the jury are Serge Maillard, publisher and CEO of Europa Star, and Christian Schmidt, known as a content creator under the name Mr. Nice Watch - his perspective sits especially close to the collector community.
As always, this year's vote centres on the Collectors Choice Award, the only category decided entirely by readers. Exhibitors of WatchTime Düsseldorf were able to submit their standout model until July 31, 2026. From August 31 to September 13, 2026, all watch enthusiasts can vote on the submitted models at watchtime.net.
The winners in all four categories will be crowned on Friday, October 23, 2026, from 6 pm, as part of the After Hour event of WatchTime Düsseldorf at the Rheinterrasse. The evening will be hosted by Julia Verpoorten and Charlotte Frieß, Director Events at WatchTime Germany. Golden Ticket holders can attend live; the ticket also includes exclusive access to the Friday morning opening.
Tickets and Opening Hours
Friday, Oct 23, 2026: 10 am-12 pm opening (Golden Ticket only) · 12-6 pm general opening hours · 6-10 pm After Hour & WatchTime Award (Golden Ticket only)
Saturday, Oct 24, 2026: 10 am-6 pm general opening hours
Sunday, Oct 25, 2026: 11 am-5 pm general opening hours
Ticket categories: Day Ticket, Golden Ticket (3-day access incl. opening, After Hour event and goodie bag), Young People's Ticket (ages 12-16), Day Ticket with disability ID discount, daily guided tours.
Tickets: www.watchtime.net/watchtime-show
Venue: Rheinterrasse Düsseldorf by D.LIVE, Joseph-Beuys-Ufer 33, 40479 Düsseldorf
