On 13 June 2026, Schaefer & Companions had the pleasure of participating in Hands On Horology London, an event dedicated to bringing mechanical watches closer to the collectors and enthusiasts who give them meaning.
Held at Protein Studios in Shoreditch, the second edition of Hands On Horology gathered more than 45 independent and established watch brands in a relaxed, design-led setting. Rather than placing watches at a distance, the event invited visitors to discover them as they were intended to be experienced: closely observed, handled and worn on the wrist.
For Schaefer & Companions, this direct and human approach reflected the values at the centre of our Maison.
Unveiling Our Latest Collections in London
Hands On Horology 2026 gave us the opportunity to unveil our latest Schaefer & Companions collections to the London watch community.
Visitors were able to discover our sculptural case designs, mechanical movements and handmade artisanal dials in person. Each creation expresses our ongoing dialogue between contemporary architecture, traditional craftsmanship and mechanical watchmaking.
A watch can be introduced through photography.
Its specifications can be studied on a screen.
Yet its true character is revealed only when it is encountered physically.
The weight of the case, the balance of its proportions and the changing reflections across its polished and brushed surfaces can only be fully understood on the wrist. The depth of a handmade dial also becomes clearer when viewed closely and under natural light.
Hands On Horology created precisely this kind of encounter.
A Watch Event Built Around Direct Experience
The defining idea behind Hands On Horology is simple: watches belong in the hands of enthusiasts.
The London exhibition was designed to allow collectors to try on watches, examine their construction and speak directly with the people behind the participating brands. The 2026 event was divided into morning and afternoon sessions, creating an environment in which visitors could take time to discover each Maison more personally.
This format was particularly meaningful for Schaefer & Companions.
Our watches are created through a combination of geometry, material, mechanics and artistic craftsmanship. These elements are closely connected and are best understood through direct observation.
The case is not merely a container.
It is a sculptural frame.
The movement is not only a technical component.
It is the mechanical rhythm of the creation.
The dial is not simply a surface on which time is displayed.
It is the artistic expression of the watch.
Meeting London’s Collectors and Authentic Watch Enthusiasts
The most valuable part of our presence at Hands On Horology was the opportunity to meet collectors and genuine watch enthusiasts.
We were pleased to exchange with visitors who approached independent watchmaking with curiosity, knowledge and sincerity. Some were experienced collectors with a deep understanding of mechanical movements and finishing techniques. Others were discovering sculptural watches and traditional métiers d’art for the first time.
Each conversation offered a different perspective.
We discussed the architecture of our cases, the proportions of our watches, the character of our movements and the delicate finishing applied to each component.
We also spoke about the work behind our handmade dials: the patience required for micro-painting, the precision of engraving, the depth of enamel and the subtle variations created through artisanal techniques.
These discussions were not simply presentations.
They were genuine exchanges.
Collectors shared their preferences, their experiences and the personal reasons that draw them towards a particular watch. Their reactions allowed us to understand how our designs are perceived beyond the atelier.
The Importance of Seeing an Artisanal Dial in Person
A handmade watch dial cannot be fully understood through a photograph alone.
An image may communicate colour and composition, but it cannot entirely reveal the depth of the material, the irregularity of the human gesture or the way the surface changes under different light.
At Hands On Horology, visitors were able to examine these details directly.
They could observe the precision of a painted element, the texture of an engraved surface and the subtle differences that make each artisanal creation individual.
This closeness is essential to our approach.
Schaefer & Companions works with specialised artisans whose techniques preserve knowledge that cannot be reduced to an automated process. Their gestures introduce sensitivity and individuality into every dial.
The result is not industrial uniformity.
It is a visible trace of the hand.
Sculptural Watchmaking on the Wrist
The event also allowed us to present the sculptural nature of our watches in a way that images cannot fully reproduce.
The identity of a Schaefer & Companions watch is defined by the relationship between its volumes, edges, curves and surfaces. These architectural elements interact differently depending on the angle, the light and the movement of the wrist.
From the front, the watch may appear balanced and graphic.
From the side, its depth and sculptural construction become more apparent.
When worn, the geometry becomes dynamic.
Hands On Horology provided an ideal environment in which visitors could explore this relationship for themselves. Trying on a watch transformed the experience from observation into personal interpretation.
Independent Watchmaking as a Human Dialogue
Independent watchmaking is often associated with freedom of design and limited production.
For us, it also represents closeness.
It allows the people who create a watch to meet those who may eventually wear it. It creates room for questions, explanations and honest reactions.
The 2026 edition of Hands On Horology was conceived around this direct relationship between brands, makers and enthusiasts. Its location at Protein Studios in Shoreditch provided a contemporary setting in which visitors could move freely between more than 45 exhibitors and experience a broad range of watchmaking perspectives.
This diversity reflected the strength of the independent watch community.
Each participating Maison brought its own understanding of time, mechanics, materials and design. Together, they showed that contemporary watchmaking can remain technically serious while continuing to explore new artistic languages.
Discovering the British Watch Community
Our presence in London also gave us the opportunity to connect more closely with the British watch community.
The United Kingdom has a deeply engaged culture of collectors, independent watch publications and enthusiast groups. Hands On Horology brought these different voices together within a single event.
We were pleased to meet visitors who were attentive not only to brand names or specifications, but also to the ideas, craftsmanship and individuals behind each watch.
Their thoughtful questions reflected a desire to understand how a piece is created, why a particular shape was chosen and what distinguishes an artisanal watch from a conventional production model.
This level of attention made every discussion meaningful.
More Than an Exhibition
Hands On Horology was not simply a place to display watches.
It was a place to create connections.
It allowed us to introduce our latest collections, but also to explain the intentions behind them. Visitors could discover how contemporary case design can coexist with traditional craftsmanship and how an automatic mechanical watch can also become a miniature artistic object.
These exchanges often extended beyond technical specifications.
They became conversations about creativity, personal taste and the emotional role a watch can play in someone’s life.
A watch measures time.
But the decision to collect one is rarely based on measurement alone.
It is shaped by design, memory, identity and emotion.
Thank You, London
We would like to thank the organisers of Hands On Horology for welcoming Schaefer & Companions to the 2026 edition.
We also extend our sincere thanks to every collector, journalist and watch enthusiast who visited us at Protein Studios.
Thank you for taking the time to discover our latest collections.
Thank you for examining the details of our cases and handmade dials.
Thank you for asking precise questions, sharing honest reactions and discussing the future of independent watchmaking with us.
These encounters are essential.
A watch begins as an idea.
It is shaped through design, mechanics and craftsmanship.
But it acquires its full meaning when it is placed into the hands of someone who understands it.
Hands On Horology London 2026 allowed us to experience this connection directly.
We returned from London grateful for the welcome, enriched by the conversations and inspired by the authentic enthusiasm of the watch community.
Created by hand. Shaped through dialogue. Experienced on the wrist.
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