Photo Report: A New Watch Show Brings The Party – And Watches – To Los Angeles
Intersect Watch Show was born in 2021, a simple watch meetup hosted by Nodus at a brewery with a pandemic-limited 45 attendees and a few friendly brands shipping out their watches for display.
Last week, I was one of 600-plus attendees to pass through Intersect Los Angeles 2024 in downtown Long Beach. Intersect has expanded beyond its original L.A. home, hosting events in Austin, Atlanta, and with more in the works, but this was its biggest effort to date. More than 20 brands showed up, including Formex, Nodus, and Jack Mason, the three brands that collaboratively organize and manage Intersect.
While Intersect has grown in size and ambition, it has mostly maintained that brewery-meetup vibe. At the show, cold brew was swapped for heavy pours of beer at least an hour before what’s generally considered socially acceptable. Thirty tacos al pastor were ordered from a Long Beach food truck and passed around for those who could brave Long Beach beyond midnight.
At least a few times, I sat down on a couch with a local collector or two who quickly unspooled a watch roll full of vintage watches, micro brands, and everything in between. This all makes Intersect a bit different than a typical “trade show.” Watches are still for sale and some were certainly sold, but it’s more of a hangout.
I had a camera the whole day and saw a bit of everything: brands exhibiting, but also watches on the wrists of enthusiasts coming from all across southern California for the hang. Hosted in an airy second floor above a brewery serving craft beers and surprisingly good New York-style pizza, the vibe was relaxed. While it was busy, there was space for those who wanted to hang out for a while and chat about their own watches. Instead of making money on the show itself, the participating brands simply split the operating cost, which means it’s a little more laid back and there’s less pressure to make the show “worth it.”
Intersect’s next show will be in Austin, Texas, in November – stay tuned to their site for details and enjoy these photos from the L.A. edition.
The Nodus x Raven Trailtrekker – one of my favorite watches released by a participating brand so far this year. James liked it in his review here, too. Both Nodus and Raven were at Intersect L.A.
Wesley Kwok, Nodus’ founder and the guy with the idea to start Intersect Watch Show.
Wearing a Nodus Sector GMT.
The Christopher Ward Bel Canto, always a standout at shows like this. People lineup to hear its chime, which never fails to surprise and delight.
Wesley Smith of Standard H, wearing the IWC Tribute to 3705 on his new strap, in collaboration with Strap Habit.
The Vero Open Water 38.
The matte steel case and Cerakoted bezel give it a fun but low-key vibe.
The Lorier Rambler, in collaboration with Janus Motorcycles (coming in August). 36mm, Hesalite, crystal, Miyota movement, and 500 bucks – vintage vibes without any of the trouble.
Christopher Ward’s fun take on the Super Compressor. And yes, it’s a genuine super compressor case – when a diver descends, it uses water pressure to press the caseback against the caseback gasket, increasing water resistance.
Echos of the Mido “Rainbow Diver” below.
Formex Field Automatic in sand-blasted titanium.
Dogs welcome.
Checking out the new Astor & Banks Sea Ranger M2, featuring a dual crown and internal rotating bezel.
Gorgeous 6542 GMT-Master.
You can catch this excellent collector wearing another watch in Watches in the Wild: The Road Through America.
Jack Mason Strat-o-timer GMT.
The SEALS “Sea Storm” – it’s a nice skin diver, but I’m excited for the brand’s next design.
The recently released Nodus Canyon “Starry Night” in collaboration with Matt Farah. The blue dial takes inspiration from the night sky, adding gold-accented hardware for a slightly dressed-up look.
The dial is the star, but I love the crown Nodus uses on the Canyon (and a few other models) – and it screws down.
Mk II, modern takes on familiar vintage and military classics.
I dunno, there’s something tremendously charming about a Cartier Santos looking through Christopher Ward’s wares.
Vintage Rolex Datejust 1601 with a grey “ghost” dial.
The new Farer Monopusher GMT.
Formex Essence “Space Gold.” Formex and its sister company, Demex, are always innovating, and its new gold meteorite dial is one example of this.
After cutting the meteorite, Formex figured out a method for plating it in 18k rose gold. (The meteorite’s high iron content allows for electroplating.)
Speaking of gold: a vintage gold Heuer Camaro.
Shay admiring his Omega Seamaster that’s in the Olympic spirit.
Gizzy and a Nodus.
Marin Instruments Skin Diver. A polar dial, black PVD case, and thoughtful bezel insert make for a handsome and clean diver.
Party trick.
Trevor of Pare Pare Podcast and his Submariner 14060.
Ben Cook and his Tudor 7016 “Snowflake.”
Designer Carlton DeWoody’s Heuer Carrera “Yachting.”
And his Rallymaster II, alongside a vintage Mido “Rainbow Diver” with a similar color palette.
Love alpha hands on an early Datejust.
The RZE Endeavor in Polaris White.
Xavier’s Atelier Wen Perception.
33mm two-tone Royal Oak.
Daniel and his Marnaut Safe Harbor, a Croatian brand.
Lorier Falcon.
Tissot PRX.
Omega Seamaster “No Time To Die” on a well matched rubber strap.
Ever controversial.
Jordan’s Sinn EZM3.
One half of this couple wore a 1990s Vacheron Overseas in gold.
And the other a Cartier Tank.
A gorgeous tropical Omega De Ville chronograph with caliber 321 inside. This dial was born blue and has aged to a brown that’s even purple towards the edges of the dial.
Until next time, Intersect.
Hodinkee
