Bangkok Watch Week returned to Siam Paragon last week for its second edition, bigger with more than 41 participating brands and an equally stellar lineup of brand symposiums.

Alongside the diverse range of experiences offered by Swiss watch maisons such as Bvlgari and Cartier, watch enthusiasts also got the chance to get upclose and personal with a treasure trove of rare watches. Blancpain, for instance, had a special pop-up showcasing a selection of 15 Neo-Vintage Villeret watches, tracing the collection from its genesis in the 1980s to the grand complications such as its split-second chronograph from 1989, bearing the caliber 1186, then the world’s thinnest automatic split seconds movement at launch. Guests at Vacheron Constantin, meanwhile, had the opportunity to admire several archival pieces at its boutique, including a world-time pocket watch by Louis Cottier.

But the highlight for many in the Bangkok watch community were the symposiums where industry leaders and experts take to the stage. Kicking off the series was the Opening Symposium titled Global Moments: Where Time, Culture and Community Converge, with Aurélie Streit, Vice President of Fondation Haute Horlogerie, Thanaporn Tantiyanon, Managing Director of Siam Paragon and Wei Koh, Revolution founder and President of the Jury of the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève. It was a lively discussion that looked at horology in the modern world and specifically, in Bangkok and Southeast Asia.

The Opening Symposium at Bangkok Watch Week

Global Moments: Where Time, Culture and Community Converge, with Aurélie Streit, Vice President of Fondation Haute Horlogerie, Thanaporn Tantiyanon, Managing Director of Siam Paragon and Wei Koh, Revolution founder and President of the Jury of the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève

That was just the start. Other symposiums picked up the thread, shinning the spotlight on diverse topics, from how watchmaking builds on its past in FHH’s “The Life of an Icon” with Vacheron Constantin’s Style and Heritage Expert Morgan Maillard and Franck Muller CEO Nicolas Rudaz to the fireside chat led by Hodinkee’s Tan Tan Wang with House of Brands CEO Georges Kern, on building a community and a watch brand that extends well beyond the wrist. Jacob & Co. CEO Benjamin Arabov took us behind the spectacle, explaining the engineering that turns his father, Jacob Arabo’s ideas into reality in the brand’s 2026 novelties God of Time and The Godfather II.

FHH’s “The Life of an Icon” with Vacheron Constantin’s Style and Heritage Expert Morgan Maillard

FHH’s “The Life of an Icon” with Franck Muller CEO Nicolas Rudaz

Jacob & Co. CEO Benjamin Arabov explaining the engineering behind brand’s 2026 novelties

Grand Seiko got us thinking about what makes a great everyday watch. Led by Takeshi Sakamoto. Vice President of Grand Seiko and Jonathan Bues, a true blue Grand Seiko fan long before he became its communications and brand advisor, the session explored Grand Seiko’s pursuit of the ideal wristwatch through its high-beat mechanical movements and Spring Drive UFA, rated to ±20 seconds per year.

Grand Seiko panel led by Takeshi Sakamoto Vice President of Grand Seiko, Jonathan Bues and Tantan Wang

But it was Tudor that stole the show. For Tudor’s centenary, Cole Pennington opened the archives to tell the stories of the people who relied on its watches. From the British North Greenland Expedition to the Navy frogmen involved in Apollo recovery missions, Tudor watches were tools with real jobs to do. Period advertisements and archival discoveries also brought the story closer to home, tracing Tudor’s longstanding ties to Thailand and motorsport in Asia. An interesting nugget — Cole speaks fluent Thai, much to the delight of the local audience. This was, by far, the most heavily subscribed session we have seen yet and the party hosted by Tudor went on for the night.

For Tudor’s centenary, Cole Pennington opened the archives to tell the stories of the people who relied on its tool watches

There was clearly plenty for collectors and watch lovers to think about, and plenty to look forward to in Bangkok and Southeast Asia.