Located at the historic penthouse at San Francisco’s Fairmont Hotel, the first West Coast Hour Lounge collector event included a live discussion about watch design, technical developments and collector preferences.

The penthouse at the Fairmont served as an elegant and enchanting backdrop for the first Hour Lounge event in San Francisco. The penthouse was constructed in 1926 is only accessible by a private elevator. It features 6,000 square feet of space with a two-story circular library complete with a secret passageway concealed behind bookshelves. There is also a beautiful billiard room and terrace with sweeping city views.

The space has hosted world leaders and celebrities alike. Every president since William Howard Taft has spent time in the penthouse, in addition to Prince Charles, Mikhail Gorbachev, King Hussein of Jordan, Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands, Mick Jagger, Elton John, Tony Bennett, Nat King Cole and Marlene Dietrich.

The Hour Lounge collector event began with guests having some time to tour the penthouse with cocktails, admire the timepieces on display and catch up with old friends. The hosts included Vacheron Constantin North America President Hugues de Pins, Artistic Director Christian Selmoni, Design Director Vincent Kauffmann, North American Marketing Director Ellen Sorensen, Hour Lounge moderator Alex Ghotbi and West Coast Sales Manager Dorian Reily.

After cocktails the floor was opened to questions from the guests in a live discussion. Guests asked about watch design, technical developments and collector preferences. Christian Selmoni and Vincent Kauffman offered insights into the process of creating new models.

Following the discussion, guests enjoyed a dinner in the dining room followed buy a game of pool and more watch ogling.

Source: Watch Time

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