Hands On Horology 2025 - Early Bird Tickets Live

Michael Sonsino

Michael Sonsino

As Digital Editor for Oracle Time, Michael needs an eye for detail, which makes it a good thing that his twin joys in life are miniatures and watches. He's a lifelong fan of fine timepieces, especially those of a more historic nature - if it has a twist of Art Deco, all the better. Recent purchase: Seiko Prospex 1959 Alpinist Modern Re-Interpretation. Grail watch: Vacheron Constantin Historiques American 1921.

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Sam Kessler

Sam Kessler

Legend has it that Sam’s first word was ‘escapement’ and, while he might have started that legend himself, he’s been in the watch world long enough that it makes little difference. As the editor of Oracle Time, he’s our leading man for all things horological – even if he does love yellow dials to a worrying degree. Owns a Pogue; doesn’t own an Oyster Perpetual. Yet.

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Tom Pettit

Tom Pettit

Tom is the co-founder of Oracle Time and leads its creative direction. He’s drawn to utilitarian watches, bold colour palettes, and design that does something different, with tastes shaped by the outdoors, sport, adventure, futurism, and mid-century modern design, from Ercol furniture to the Pacific Northwest modern. His collection is varied, but he’s still saving for his grail: the Laurent Ferrier Sport Auto Blue Titanium.

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James Buttery

James Buttery

James Buttery lives and breathes watches, editing watch industry bible WatchPro before moving to QP magazine. He has been called on to comment on watches and the industry by the BBC, CNN and the International New York Times among others. Now, he’s the head of watches over at Hype Beast.

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Thor Svaboe

Thor Svaboe

As the sole Norwegian who doesn’t like snow or climbing mountains, Thor has honed his florid writing skills at Time + Tide, and is now an editor at Fratello Watches. This Viking would fearlessly go into battle under the banner of independent watchmaking, and his End Game watch would be the piece unique Greubel Forsey Hand Made 1.

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James Lamburn

James Lamburn

James' love affair with watches started when his grandad left him a two tone Tissot. From that moment he was hooked and he’s been daydreaming about watches ever since. Over the years his passion for watches has expanded beyond collecting and dinner party conversation. James now operates as a freelance writer covering all things watches and horology.

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Ken Kessler

Ken Kessler

Ken Kessler is unimpressed by the 21st century and enjoys retro, if costly, boys’ toys, such as cameras, mechanical watches and fountain pens – of late, he is obsessed with Italian red wine. He has written four books on luxury hi-fi equipment and collects chronographs and film noir DVDs.

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Aidy Smith

Aidy Smith

Aidy Smith is a wine and spirits personality and one of the presenter trio behind Amazon Prime TV Series, The Three Drinkers. In better times, he is often found scouring the globe for his next tipple. It’s a hard life, but someone’s got to do it. You can follow his adventures on Instagram at @sypped.

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James Dowling

James Dowling

James has been collecting watches for forty years and writing about them for almost as long. His next book, 'Rolex Legend', is published by Octopus in the UK on September 25 and by Simon & Schuster in the US on November 11. His recent pronouncement that quartz timekeeping was the most important horological advance of the 20th Century has seen him ostracised from almost all polite watch circles. But still he persists.

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Tim Vaux

Tim Vaux

Tim lives and breathes this world as a watch writer and photographer, working with the top media outlets, retailers, and many of the top curators of high-end vintage watches. He also gets a kick from shooting watches in natural, real environments to capture how they truly look on the wrist.

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Laura Powell

Laura Powell

Laura Powell is an enthusiastic newcomer to the watch industry. With a background in fashion, her passion comes from the way watches bring style and heritage together in one piece. She’s drawn to the small details that make a watch stand out, whether it’s a perfectly balanced dial, a standout bracelet, or a design that feels effortlessly wearable. Her collection is still in its early days, but her watch wishlist is already getting dangerously ambitious.

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Neil Cody

Neil Cody

As one half of Watch Brothers, Neil brings a profound passion for horology, especially vintage watches. He has a particular penchant for old divers, especially those from the 60s to the 80s. His collection mirrors his personality: well-worn, with minor imperfections, in need of a service, and full of great stories. Writing for Watch Brothers and WatchGecko, he’s now hoping to spread his wings at Oracle Time and share his deep love and enthusiasm for his journey in the world of watches.

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Richard Fox

Richard Fox

Richard is a freelance writer specialising in auction reporting and has a passion for watches and horology. Since 2018 he has written about auction sales of watches. His articles have been published in Antiques Trade Gazette, WatchGecko Magazine, The Horological Journal (BHI), TimePiece (BWCMG), and MrWatchMaster.com. In 2022 Richard was voluntary editor for the Worshipful Company of Clockmakers newsletter. He has also been a volunteer at the Museum of Timekeeping. Richard belongs to several horological societies and associations.

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Sebastian Dickie

Sebastian Dickie

Sebastian Dickie’s love of watches began in primary school, using the bezel click of his Flik Flak to annoy teachers. While studying in Scotland, swimming in lochs and running up Munros, he discovered a passion for writing about watches as tools: reliable, rugged, and built to be used. Today, he shares that obsession on his blog - toolwatchproject.com

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Sergio Galanti

Sergio Galanti

Sergio Galanti is a journalist and strategic brand advisor with over 20 years of experience across luxury watches, financial services, and consulting. He advises leading watch brands and private collectors, combining deep industry knowledge with compelling storytelling. Formerly with KPMG and a contributor to top watch publications, he holds an Executive MBA from SDA Bocconi and a Watch Expert certification from the Fondation de la Haute Horlogerie (FHH). He works fluently in English, Italian, and French.

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Brandon Erbe

Brandon Erbe

As a former professional athlete turned engineer, Brandon has a fervent love for all things mechanical and design-oriented. HIs passion for watches has evolved from collecting G-Shocks to founding the online watch enthusiast platform, Balance & Bridge where he writes and curates all content. Brandon passionately celebrates the intricacies and artistry of horology, intertwining his technical expertise with his enduring love for mechanical design. You can view his blog here.

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Ben Hodges

Ben Hodges

Ben has been an avid watch collector since 2014 and spends his time keeping up to date with all things horological. As an editor with Fratello Watches since 2019 and an ex-president of the Oris Social Club London from 2020-2022, Ben somehow squeezes in a regular 9-5 day job. But writing about watches is his main passion and keeps him sane on the evening train. Ben yearns for a gold watch one day but makes do with a few bronze watches for now.

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Mat Craddock

Mat Craddock

Mat Craddock, the #watchnerd himself is an amateur horologist and co-founder of the Antiquarian Horology Society’s Wristwatch Group. He’s also the man behind ‘the most interesting watch blog you’ve never heard of’ over at thewatchnerd.co.uk.

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Paddy Maddison

Paddy Maddison

Paddy Maddison is a freelance menswear journalist with a keen interest in outerwear. When he’s not plotting his next big-coat purchase for the coming winter, he can be found at his desk, typing up words for the likes of The Independent, Esquire, GQ, and Men’s Health. He’s also Style Editor at Ape to Gentleman and a former Contributing Editor at FashionBeans.

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Sarah Fergusson

Sarah Fergusson

Raised in a home full of antiques, Sarah Fergusson’s passion for vintage lead her to pursue a career in the auction world beginning over a decade ago. Now Head of Watches at auctioneer Lyon & Turnbull, she can also be heard co-hosting the Scottish Watches podcast and seen at RedBar events wearing her Chronographe Suisse, or more recently, her Tudor BB58 925.

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