In 2024, Jon Cruys – a collector and RedBar veteran among other pursuits in the watch industry – embarked on his next horological endeavor and founded a new twist on the traditional watch fair called Indies NYC. Unlike typical tradeshows, Indies NYC does not sell exhibition space to the brands who showcase there. Instead, it scouts independent watchmaking talent who deserve greater visibility and creates a space where they can display their talents, passion, and, of course, creations in New York City.
What began as an intimate, invite-only salon highlighting a small handful of independent brands has grown in short order. The next event is set for October 15 of this year and will include a whopping 20 brands. Still, the essence remains the same – a place for artisan watchmakers and collectors to chat and connect over a shared love for the art of watchmaking.
But here’s the real headline: in addition to expanding the biannual salon, Indies NYC is charting into new territory with a charitable component. The event has just introduced its “1% for the Next Generation” initiative, which will go live at the upcoming October installment. This new program helps to bridge the gap between the education of future watchmakers and the growth of independent watchmaking.
Beginning this October, 1% of the profit from every watch sold through Indies NYC will go to a watchmaking school chosen by the artisan watchmaker behind the piece. The new next gen program will initially include watchmaking schools in France, Switzerland, and Finland. The school may be the one where the independent watchmaker trained, one in their region, or simply an institution they believe in. There is no central fund or allocation committee: the artisan decides.
In the press release, Indies NYC shared feedback about the new “1% for the Next Generation” initiative from both professors at prominent watchmaking schools in Finland and Paris as well as some of the independent watchmakers who have been a part of the salons. It’s clear that everyone agrees on a shared set of values and a cohesive mission – the future of watchmaking depends on passing knowledge and skills to the next generation, and independent watchmaking is, at its core, an act of preserving the craft for future generations. Together, they are breaking down the barriers and inspiring more artisans to get to the bench. For more information on the next gen program, future salons, and admissions applications for watchmakers who want to get involved, head over directly to Indies NYC.
