Supplier BulletinApr 24, 2025
Protect Your Customers and Your BusinessSponsored by the Gemological Institute of America
Events & AwardsMar 05, 2018
This Year, CoutureTime Is Waving in the Watch ‘Geeks’
Members of watch enthusiasts group RedBar are going to be allowed to attend the trade show.
RedBar is a group for “watch geeks” with 2,500-3,000 members in 40 cities worldwide. The first rule of RedBar: “No [jerks],” said founder Adam Craniotes. Anyone is welcome to join, whether they have a Swatch or a Romain Gauthier.
New York--There’s a groundswell of enthusiasm around so-called geek culture lately and among those riding the wave are watch collectors, a hobby that seems to be gaining steam in an era when many might say a watch is an obsolete artifact.
Watch website Hodinkee keeps growing; the website added a print magazine last year and brought veteran journalist Joe Thompson on board as editor-at-large.
Eleven James is a membership club for luxury watch rentals, while Watch Gang is a watch-of-the-month club that says it gives away a TAG Heuer every Tuesday and a Rolex every Friday.
And there’s RedBar, a watch enthusiasts group that numbers 2,500 to 3,000 members worldwide, some of whom will be attending CoutureTime this year.
RedBar got its start about a decade ago when a then-Macy’s Inc. copywriter named Adam Craniotes met fellow watch enthusiast Dr. Jeffrey Jacques at a lunch given by Michael Kobold in New York. Riding the subway together after the event, they realized they only worked a few blocks from each other.
So they decided to start meeting once a month in nearby Koreatown to talk about watches.
Over time, the group grew and adopted a formal name, though the origin of said name is a little surprising.
Is RedBar a reference to the color of the second hand, or some obscure fact from horological history?
No, it’s named after a bar, literally. Craniotes said RedBar, which is now closed, is where they first started meeting. He chose it because the group’s early members always would ask, “Are we doing RedBar this week?”
Today, RedBar is a limited liability corporation, officially RedBar Group LLC, with three full-time employees (including Craniotes) and chapters in 40 cities around the world.
Craniotes said the group began to expand rapidly and branch out into other cities after they started using Instagram as @RedBarCrew.
A post shared by RedBar Crew (@redbarcrew) on Feb 8, 2018 at 4:56am PST
While its various chapters meet weekly (in the case of New York), bi-monthly or monthly, the organization has never had all its branches together in the same place. But that will change come June.
Last week, CoutureTime announced that it will host RedBar’s first nationwide meet-up in conjunction with the 2018 edition of the show.
There will be education seminars for members hosted by the Horological Society of New York, and beginning Friday, June 1, the second day of CoutureTime, they will be allowed on the show floor.
The idea behind inviting consumers into what has traditionally been, and ultimately still
is, a trade-only show is to generate excitement, said CoutureTime director Gannon Brousseau, noting they piloted a program with RedBar last year, inviting a handful of members to CoutureTime.
The partnership gives brands a chance to show new collections to people who are enthusiastic about their product, and connects retailers with potential buyers, buyers who, it should be noted, are connected to a much larger network of watch enthusiasts.
The exhibitors are not allowed to sell to RedBar members during the show, which is something Craniotes said he has been very specific about with his members.
“For our members, this is not an opportunity to buy watches. This is an opportunity to share in the energy of a trade show. It’s an opportunity to meet directly with watch brands,” he said. “It’s also an opportunity to meet with retailers.”
Craniotes said about 150 RedBar members will be able to attend the show for the nationwide meet-up. He said the response so far has been “overwhelming,” and he expects all the slots to be filled.
CoutureTime is scheduled to take place Thursday, May 31 to Sunday, June 3 at the Encore Las Vegas.
So far, a total of 24 brands have signed on to exhibit, names like Baume & Mercier, Hermes, Oris, TAG Heuer and Tudor.
Brousseau said they anticipate having more brands than they did last year, but adds that conversations are ongoing.
The partnership gives brands a chance to show new collections to people who are enthusiastic about their product, and connects retailers with potential buyers, buyers who, it should be noted, are connected to a much larger network of watch enthusiasts.
The exhibitors are not allowed to sell to RedBar members during the show, which is something Craniotes said he has been very specific about with his members.
“For our members, this is not an opportunity to buy watches. This is an opportunity to share in the energy of a trade show. It’s an opportunity to meet directly with watch brands,” he said. “It’s also an opportunity to meet with retailers.”
Craniotes said about 150 RedBar members will be able to attend the show for the nationwide meet-up. He said the response so far has been “overwhelming,” and he expects all the slots to be filled.
CoutureTime is scheduled to take place Thursday, May 31 to Sunday, June 3 at the Encore Las Vegas.
So far, a total of 24 brands have signed on to exhibit, names like Baume & Mercier, Hermes, Oris, TAG Heuer and Tudor.
Brousseau said they anticipate having more brands than they did last year, but adds that conversations are ongoing.
More on Events & Awards
The Latest
EditorsApr 24, 2025
Q&A: Wolf’s CEO Talks U.S. ExpansionSimon Wolf shares why the time was right to open a new office here, what he looks for in a retail partner, and why he loves U.S. consumers.
IndependentsApr 24, 2025
Longtime Iowa Jeweler Herman Ginsberg Dies at 99 A third-generation jeweler, Ginsberg worked at his family’s store, Ginsberg Jewelers, from 1948 until his retirement in 2019.
Brought to you by
Protect Your Customers and Your BusinessThe risk of laboratory-grown diamonds being falsely presented as natural diamonds presents a very significant danger to consumer trust.
FinancialsApr 24, 2025
Charles & Colvard Delisted From Nasdaq Due to NoncomplianceThe company failed to file its quarterly reports in a timely manner.
Weekly QuizApr 24, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
SourcingApr 24, 2025
Young Diamantaires Transition to NonprofitThe organization also announced its board of directors.
TrendsApr 24, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: So CharmingCharms may be tiny but with their small size comes endless layering possibilities, from bracelets to necklaces and earrings.
MajorsApr 23, 2025
Bulgari Doubles Size of Jewelry Factory in ItalyLocated in Valenza, the now 355,000-square-foot facility includes a new jewelry school that’s open to the public, Scuola Bulgari.
AuctionsApr 23, 2025
Rare Custom Rolex Daytona Heads to AuctionA platinum Zenith-powered Daytona commissioned in the late ‘90s will headline Sotheby’s Important Watches sale in Geneva next month.
MajorsApr 23, 2025
David Yurman’s New Campaign Stars Carmelo Anthony, Jaylen BrownThe basketball stars wear men’s jewelry from the “Curb Chain” collection.
MajorsApr 22, 2025
Zales’ Rebrand Takes Playful Approach to Fine JewelryThe Signet Jewelers-owned retailer wants to encourage younger shoppers to wear fine jewelry every day, not just on special occasions.
AuctionsApr 22, 2025
Christie’s to Auction JAR Jewelry CollectionThe 21 pieces, all from a private collector, will be offered at its Magnificent Jewels auction next month.
ColumnistsApr 22, 2025
The PR Adviser: Building Buzz Through Word of MouthLilian Raji answers a question from a reader who is looking to grow her jewelry business but has a limited marketing budget.
GradingApr 22, 2025
Avi Levy Is GCAL By Sarine’s New Chief Growth OfficerGCAL by Sarine created the new role to sharpen the company’s focus on strategic partnerships and scalable expansion.
IndependentsApr 22, 2025
Brinker’s Jewelers Acquires Fellow IndependentThe Indiana jeweler has acquired Scottsdale Fine Jewelers in Scottsdale, Arizona.
IndependentsApr 21, 2025
New York Jeweler to Close After 111 YearsVan Cott Jewelers in Vestal, New York, is hosting a going-out-of-business sale.
IndependentsApr 21, 2025
IJO Names New Director of Vendor Relations, Merchandise StrategyIndustry veteran Samantha Larson has held leadership roles at Borsheims, McTeigue & McClelland, Stuller, and Long’s Jewelers.
Events & AwardsApr 21, 2025
Jewelers of Louisiana, Mississippi Jewelers Association to Co-Host ConventionThe two organizations will hold the educational event together this fall in Mississippi.
Events & AwardsApr 18, 2025
Daymond John to Give Keynote at JCK Las VegasThe entrepreneur and “Shark Tank” star will share his top tips for success.
CollectionsApr 18, 2025
Piece of the Week: Dukachi’s ‘Easter Bread’ PendantThe Ukrainian brand’s new pendant is modeled after a traditional paska, a pastry often baked for Easter in Eastern European cultures.
IndependentsApr 18, 2025
Bremer Jewelry to Reveal Renovated StoreThe jeweler has announced a grand reopening for its recently remodeled location in Peoria, Illinois.
MajorsApr 18, 2025
Tiffany & Co. Employees Star in Mother’s Day CampaignThe “Strong Like Mom” campaign features moms who work at Tiffany & Co. and their children.
CollectionsApr 17, 2025
John Hardy, Athena Calderone Partner on Art Deco Decor-Inspired CollectionInterior designer Athena Calderone looked to decor from the 1920s and 1930s when crafting her first fine jewelry collection.
FinancialsApr 17, 2025
Movado Group to Increase Prices to Offset Tariffs ImpactDuring a call about its full-year results, CEO Efraim Grinberg discussed how the company is approaching the uncertainty surrounding tariffs.
Lab-GrownApr 17, 2025
NDC Launches Its Diamond Learning CenterThe free program provides educational content for jewelry salespeople and enthusiasts to learn or refresh their diamond knowledge.
Policies & IssuesApr 17, 2025
Jewelers of America Requests Tariffs Testimonials from MembersThe feedback will be used to prepare other jewelers for the challenges ahead, the organization said.
