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Supporting independent watch artisans and the future generations
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Illustration by artist Olivia Whitworth
About us
INDIES.NYC was founded in 2023 by Jon Cruys, a technical horology enthusiast who
previously launched RedBar Shanghai in 2017 and builds his own watches.
In 2025, like-minded and passionate watch enthusiasts joined the INDIES.NYC team:
Marie Ansel, Niu Niu Nie, and James Kong (Waitlisted).
The New York based ultra-curated platform and biannual salon focuses on independent watchmaking artisans.
1% of INDIES.NYC proceeds will go as donation to watchmaking school partner from the program. Watchmakers will decide what school the donation goes to.
The platform replaces formal trade shows with intimate, high-energy gatherings that connect creators directly with enthusiasts over great music, local eats like hot dogs, and custom performances, including a local Bronx rapper who crafts custom slam poetry out of independent watch brand names.
Culture and integrity are coded into our DNA. INDIES.NYC is built for well-intentioned, like-minded people who value authentic connection, mutual respect, and independent handcraft. We hold our community to a high standard:
come with curiosity and good intentions, and leave the ego behind.
Line-up: October 15, 2026
ATELIER PIETERS | ARTUR AKMAEV | BRADLEY TAYLOR | DELALOYE GENEVE DUNSELMAN | FELIPE PIKULLIK | GARRICK | JEAN KHATCHADOURIAN
KALLINICH CLAEYS | LEGARE | MANTEIO | MARCO TEDESCHI | MARCU MERMONT | MICHIEL HOLTHINRICHS | REIMA KOIVUKOSKI | SARPANEVA STATERA | STÉPHANE PIERRE | TAN ZEHUA | TAOS | TIRELLO
VONKA & BERNA | ZEITWINKEL | 1776 ATELIER | RAPPORT LONDON
The Makers that came
ANDREAS STREHLER | AUBERT & RAMEL | ART OF ARION | BREVA
BYRNE | DAN ROYTER | DIDIER CAVASINO | FREDERIC JOUVENOT
HULSMAN | KLANIC | LOVELL HUNTER | MARCO TEDESCHI | MEC
ONDREJ BERKUS | PRAGMA | ROGE BASTIDE | SAMUEL GILLIOZ
SHONA TAINE | STATERA | ZAVORINE | ZEITWINKEL | 1776 ATELIER
On the wrist
October 15, 2026
Join us! Stay in the know
Press
Founder of REVOLUTION
"A rare New York evening with real collectors, real makers, and the kind of warmth our industry is built on. Indies.NYC is independent watchmaking at its most human"
Wei Koh
They were there
Founder of Super Niche Studios
& Wrist Check Podcast
"What impressed me the most was the room itself - not just full, but engaged. Indies.NYC attracts serious collectors and tastemakers who come with curiosity and real intent. It felt like a room that truly understands independent watchmaking"
Perri Dash
Editor at Hodinkee
"The Indies.NYC event is a fun one. There's something about the juxtaposition of a casual setting with serious watchmaking and passionate watchmakers, and the energy that it brings, that feels so right for a NYC watch event"
TanTan Wang
INDIES.NYC is a curated event. We select a small number of independent watchmakers who share our belief that watches are made to be worn, touched and talked about. You make your watches by hand, the movement is hand finished, and share the culture of independent watchmaking, we'd love to hear from you.
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