Imagine standing in a room filled with the most exquisite timepieces in the world, each one telling a story of craftsmanship, history, and passion. That’s exactly what happened when Ben Clymer and Gary Striewski took the stage at UBS House of Craft to discuss their curation of Icons of Time. But here’s where it gets fascinating: narrowing down the exhibition to just twelve watches was no small feat, and the choices—as well as the omissions—sparked as much intrigue as the pieces themselves. In a candid conversation, Gary probed Ben on his curation philosophy, the meticulous process of framing the exhibition, and the emotional weight of selecting which watches made the cut. They delved into the provenance of the displayed timepieces, revealing the stories behind their creation and significance. And this is the part most people miss: what was left out often says as much about the curator’s vision as what was included.
The discussion didn’t stop at the watches. Ben opened up about his personal journey to this moment, sharing how he and the Hodinkee team transformed a concept into a breathtaking reality. Controversially, Ben even touched on his own grail watch—a topic that’s sure to ignite debates among enthusiasts. Is a grail watch about rarity, personal connection, or something else entirely? We’ll leave that for you to decide in the comments.
For beginners, this conversation is a masterclass in understanding the art of curation and the deeper meaning behind timepieces. For seasoned collectors, it’s a chance to peek behind the curtain of one of the year’s most anticipated exhibitions. Watch the full video above to catch every detail, and stay tuned for more exclusive coverage from UBS House of Craft in the coming weeks. But before you go, we have to ask: If you could curate your own Icons of Time exhibition, which twelve watches would you choose—and why? Let the debate begin!
