Wristwatch Check is back in Melbourne for the second year running, with extra charitable intention

Borna Bošnjak

With LVMH Watch Week kicking off in just a few hours, the season of the 2025 watch fair will be officially open. But before it all kicks off at the biggest fair of the year in Geneva, Wristwatch Check will be hosting its own show in Melbourne, focusing on the micro and independent scene. Just like last year, the watches will be accompanied by some sweet cars, with the difference this year being that they’ll be courtesy of the Fox Classic Car Collection and Art Neun, with some of the best Melbourne-based cars present.

Other than getting a chance to chat watches, there will also be opportunities for adding to your collection, whether that’s purchasing directly from one of the brands attending, or winning a watch. But let’s start with the brands exhibiting: Monbrey attends from Hong Kong, while Beaufort and Zealandic are flying in from New Zealand. The Australian line-up includes Bausele, Galvin Watch Company, Grip Auto, HZ Watches, Marléo, Melbourne Watch Company, Ocean to Orbit, and Second Hour.

But if you want your money to do some good alongside just getting a new watch on your wrist, Wristwatch Check will be holding a charity auction for a special watch made by Grip Auto for Lindsay Fox, the founder of the Linfox business empire. Powered by a Sellita SW300 movement, the watch includes a damascus steel ring on the dial, made from the water pump taken off his first-ever truck – a brick red Ford F500. Three examples of the Fox Legacy will be made, with two pieces going to Foxes Senior and Junior, and the last one will be sold on the night, with proceeds going to support mental health efforts via Beyond Blue.

But fear not, in case you miss out on the Lindsay Fox watch, you’ll have a chance to win a watch by showcasing your racing skills. Wristwatch Check is partnering with T1 Racing Simulation to award the fastest lap of the night with a new watch, which is yet to be revealed.

Tickets are on sale now, starting at A$65 for the G.A., and A$200 for VIP access, with the full list of inclusions available on Wristwatch Check’s website – the highlight being a copy of Cars, Watches & Lifestyle, a new coffee table book that’s being launched for the event. The event is scheduled to take place on the 15th of March, starting at 18:00 – just after qualifying for the first F1 weekend of the year!