Photo Recap: Golden Hour — New School

Delugs kicked off its first event of 2026 with Golden Hour — New School, a weekend showcase spotlighting a new generation of independent watch brands. Held on 17 and 18 January at our flagship boutique in Raffles Hotel Arcade, the event brought together Formex, Serica, Nodus and Jack Mason — four brands united by a shared focus on strong identity, purposeful design and modern watchmaking values.

A New Generation Of Independent Thinking

Golden Hour — New School was conceived around a simple idea: Many of today’s most compelling watch brands are those without decades of history to preserve. Free from archival constraints and legacy design codes, these newer makers have the flexibility to take risks, build fresh identities and create watches that reflect how they believe watches should be made today — first and foremost as functional tools with personality.

Throughout the weekend, this philosophy was evident across the displays, from robust sports watches to thoughtfully designed everyday pieces.

An Open House For Discovery

The event was open to the public, with each brand set up at its own showcase table. Guests were encouraged to handle the watches, ask questions and spend time understanding the thinking behind each collection. The atmosphere was relaxed and conversational, drawing a mix of seasoned collectors and first-time visitors curious to explore independent brands outside the usual e-retail space.

In-Person Impressions

Many made Nodus their first stop, which focused on its current collection and the design principles that underpin it. Guests spent time examining the brand’s approach to modern tool watches and how it continues to evolve its designs without losing sight of their practical foundations. Elsewhere, Formex presented a selection of its performance-driven models, including pieces from the Essence and Reef lines, highlighting the brand’s focus on technical innovation and everyday wearability.

Meanwhile, Serica drew attention with its Parade collection, which introduced a more refined, design-led expression of the brand’s identity while retaining the practicality that defines its watches. Rounding out the line-up, Jack Mason showcased a range of contemporary sports and travel-ready watches, offering a more expressive take on modern tool watch aesthetics. Together, the displays underscored how varied and confident this new wave of independent watchmaking has become.

Conversations Beyond the Watches

As with previous Golden Hour events, the weekend was as much about dialogue as it was about product. Guests exchanged impressions, compared wrist time and spoke directly with brand representatives about materials, movements and design decisions. These unfiltered conversations helped demystify the watches and reinforced the sense of accessibility that defines the new-school independent scene.

Setting the Tone For 2026

Golden Hour — New School set the pace for the year ahead, highlighting brands that prioritise individuality, clarity of purpose and modern relevance. By bringing these voices together under one roof, the event reaffirmed Delugs’ role as a space for discovery — where enthusiasts can experience contemporary watchmaking as it’s being shaped, not just as it’s been remembered.