'10.10 World Watchmaking Day' celebrated in Istanbul

On October 10th, watchmakers, watch enthusiasts, collectors, and master watchmakers gathered in cities around the world for the first time to celebrate World Watchmaking Day. From Istanbul to Shanghai, Geneva to Bern, Athens to New York, London to Lisbon, and Moscow, "10.10 World Watchmaking Day" featured cultural gatherings, talks, exhibitions, and the history, artistry, innovation, and heritage of watchmaking.

"World Watch Day," announced through the initiative of Dr. Çağrı Gündoğdu, a Council Member of the Istanbul Chamber of Commerce (ITO) Watchmaking and Opticians Professional Committee, and added to the global celebration calendar with the motto 10:10, has been recognized by industry representatives in many countries. The World Watch Day Association was established in Switzerland to increase industry collaboration and carry the journey of watchmaking into the present day. This year, celebrations were held with cultural and social events in approximately 10 countries. A cooperation protocol was also signed before the celebration to enhance international organization and collaboration.

In Istanbul, a panel discussion on the historical development and economics of watches was held by the Istanbul Chamber of Commerce, with participation from bureaucrats, industry representatives, academics, journalists, and watch-loving collectors. An exhibition of antique and historical watches was also held at the Istanbul Chamber of Commerce Liman Han to commemorate 10:10. The panel and exhibition, celebrated for the first time on World Watchmaking Day, attracted considerable attention.

World Watchmaking Day aims to restore time to Istanbul, the global center of time, as it once was. The goal is to soon restore the Muvakkithane (timekeeping stations) where timekeeping was once performed. This historic step is significant both for preserving our cultural heritage and further enhancing Türkiye's international prestige.

"WE HAVE STARTED SEARCHING FOR ATATURK'S LOST WATCH"

Istanbul Chamber of Commerce (ITO) Watchmaking and Opticianry Professional Committee Assembly Member Dr. Çağrı Gündoğdu, as the All Watchmakers Businessmen Association, stated that they are very happy as a sector to add a worldwide celebration day to the calendars, saying, "On this meaningful day, we respectfully commemorate Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of our state. We want to find Atatürk's lost watch and crown our exhibition in our exhibition to be held next year. We know that when Mustafa Kemal Atatürk was wounded by shrapnel during the Gallipoli Campaign, the pocket watch in his chest saved him from death. There are very different accounts about the existence of this watch, which is a significant part of a turning point in Turkish history. While many items belonging to Atatürk are exhibited in various museums, that watch is not among them. We know from Atatürk's own statement that he gave that watch to Liman (Von Sanders) Pasha as a souvenir. After the death of German General Sanders in 1929, Turkey requested the watch from his wife to put it in the museum. However, Sanders' wife replied that the watch was stolen by thieves who entered the house after Sanders Pasha's death. In 1933-34, the authorities of the Republic of Turkey again requested the watch from Liman Von Sanders' family after his death, but this time the family refused to give it to other valuable He says it was sold with all its belongings and its whereabouts are unknown. In our exhibition next year, we will collaborate with Ahmet Kadri Aydın, President of the All Watchmakers' and Businessmen's Association (TÜSAD), to find the watch that saved Mustafa Kemal Atatürk's life at Çanakkale. Evidence suggests it is currently in the possession of an American businessman. Türkiye has been searching for this watch for a while but has been unable to find it. We will collaborate with the Switzerland-based World Watch Day Association to purchase this valuable watch through announcements and news reports, and if we can find it, we will bring it to Türkiye. We want to present this very important heritage, which marked a turning point and changed the course of history, to the Turkish people at our 10:10 exhibition next year."

DHA

Reporter: News Center