On an ordinary Sunday in Cebu, the phrase "just another meetup" was playfully dismissed by a vibrant gathering of watch enthusiasts. Hosted by local aficionados Adrian Teh and Peter Cantillas at Swiss Perpetual in Banilad Town Center, the event brought together collectors, hobbyists, and the simply curious for a show-and-tell session that celebrated the quirky and sentimental side of timepieces.
Beyond Flex Pieces: A Focus on Personal Connection
The theme was deliberately simple: off the beaten path. This wasn't about showcasing luxury flex pieces or watches seen on billboards. Instead, participants shared odd, sentimental watches—the kind that spark joy even if no one else understands why. As the group emphasized, "unique" isn't defined by price or prestige but by nuance and personal meaning.
Showcasing Personality Over Prestige
The tables at the event resembled a personality showcase more than a showroom. Attendees displayed a diverse array of timepieces, each with its own story. One standout was a watch titled "A Perfectly Useless Afternoon" from Mr. Jones Watches, featuring a swimming pool dial with a lounging man and a rubber duck telling time. Other highlights included a turntable-themed watch and a Chinese watch that had won honors at what collectors call the "Oscars" of watchmaking.
To foster engagement, hosts asked everyone to pick a watch and share why they liked it or what made it unique. This prompt encouraged openness, connection, and a sense of being heard, proving that the hobby doesn't need to be serious to be meaningful—simply being present was enough.
An Unpretentious Atmosphere of Shared Passion
The atmosphere was refreshingly unpretentious. No one apologized for their watch's price point or hid quirky pieces. Whether bringing a grail watch or an affordable, nostalgic, or plain strange timepiece, participants found others crowding around to ask, "What's the story behind that?" This focus on stories transformed the event into more than just a gathering—it became a community-building experience.
Community Over Transactions
Adrian Teh highlighted that hosting such meetups has become as important as running the retail side of Swiss Perpetual. While selling watches is transactional, building community is not. "Being together in our shared passion for the hobby can make us appreciate everyone's take on what a weird timepiece is," he said. The shop, which soft-opened last October, already felt less like a store and more like a safe space for enthusiasts to chill and connect, thanks to the positive energy in the room.
Collecting Timeless Moments
What started as "just another meetup" turned into an event that left attendees smiling and with a deeper appreciation for their hobby. The watch people gathered that day weren't merely collecting timepieces; they were collecting timeless moments with a community where they felt they belonged. This gathering underscored that in the world of horology, it's the personal stories and shared passions that truly make time stand still.
