Like Christmas in Springtime, Watches & Wonders mania swept across the watch community a few short weeks ago, bringing with it a tornado of amazing new releases that we can't wait to introduce to you later this year. It was a particularly strong showing for some of our fan-favorite makers like Grand Seiko who introduced their first ever mechanical chronograph, and Zenith who launched a dramatic refresh on the legendary Pilot collection (which dates all the way back to the earliest years in aviation). Special marks go to Oris with the incredibly charming ProPilotX 'Kermit' and Parmigiani for its dazzling new 'Minute Rattrapante' complication in the Tonda PF collection.

Now, in past years, long after the tradeshow buzz comes and goes, watch fans are left waiting many weeks or months for a first glimpse at any of these new watches in the metal — but not so this year, as Topper has created its inaugural "First Look" event, with the sole intent of bringing these just-introduced watches directly from Switzerland right here to Burlingame. And in most cases, many of these new watches will be making their debut in the United States for your eyes only, and for the very first time. Excited? You should be — the Topper First Look event kicks off at 11am PST on Friday, April 14th, and runs through Saturday, April 15th. It concludes on Saturday night with a special after-party, which we would highly urge you RSVP for, as capacity is limited.

In total, virtually every major brand that Topper represents will be in attendance at our show, each with something special to share with you — be it the newest novelties themselves, or direct insight, passion, and expertise from the brand's own representatives and leadership teams. Read on below for a brief overview on what you could expect from a number of brands who'll be exhibiting.

It's a rare chance to get this level of access to both product and personality outside of Switzerland, so it goes without saying that we are terrifically excited to host our First Look — a new event concept from Topper Jewelers!

The 38mm Seamaster Aqua Terra "Shades" collection might have been a story for spring of 2022 when they were announced, but the colorful capsule underwent some very subtle adjustements since, and are now being presented for exhibition and delivery for the first time. The Omega team will have the full Shades collection on hand for you to try — this includes both the 38mm and the 34mm references, each with its own nature-inspired colored dial and Master Chronometer movement, which will make for a perfect accompanyment to Omega's new interactive anti-magnetic experience which will be set up in our Boutique for the first time.

From the stunning new titanium Lake Suwa SLGA019 to the super-capable new "Ushio" diver now in blue (ref. SLGA023), Grand Seiko brought some serious heat to Geneva. But nothing compared to the buzz generated by the venerable Japanese maker's first-ever mechanical chronograph: the Tentagraph. We had to check our notes too — surely Grand Seiko in its 60-year history has done a mechanical chronograph before, right? ...Right? Nope, they haven't — not until now, that is. The Tentagraph is an exercise in superlatives: high-intensity titanium, a stunning Mt. Iwate textured dial, and an all-new high-beat mechanical calibre — revolutionary for its stability, its generous power reserve, and its accuracy which is tested and certified while the chronograph is stopped, as well as while it's running. Cross those fingers — while the Tentagraph prototype is currently in very high demand, we're hoping it can make its debut in the United States at First Look, but in the event it doesn't, Grand Seiko has plenty of other heat this year to keep us fully satiated.

Here's a fun fact: did you know that Zenith holds the original patent for the world "PILOT" as it appears on a watch dial? Thusly, the Le Locle maker is the only watchmaker allowed to use this singular word on its watch dials, so it goes without saying that the long-running Pilot collection is a significant one within Zenith's own archives. Despite that significance, the collection hasn't really gotten the attention that it deserves for the better part of the last decade or so — but that all changed this year when Zenith unveiled a dramatic new modern Pilot in two forms: a classic three hand with a lovely ribbed dial and an El Primero movement, and an awesome new Flyback Chronograph option with a grande date complication that has a surprising amount of engineering under the hood. Like many other releases announced at this year's Watches & Wonders, this new collection will be making its stateside debut at Topper for First Look — and along with it, the Zenith team will be taking over the Topper bar and hosting a special happy hour with cocktails and whiskey tasting featuring legendary single-malt distillery Glenmorangie throughout the show, which you won't want to miss.

2023 is a big year for Blancpain, as the venerable maker is celebrating the 70th anniversary of its Fifty Fathoms dive watch, and in doing so, released one of the most capable, purpose-built divers we've ever seen: the Tech Gombessa. While we're still a short while away from beginning to deliver our first few pre-orders for this epic tool watch, Blancpain's leadership team will be joining us for the First Look, and with them, they'll have a Tech Gombessa prototype on hand to share. This will certainly be a rare watch once it becomes available, so consider this an even rarer opportunity to go hands-on with it in the interim!

The 'Top Time' collection is routinely home to Breitling's very best collaborations, and this capsule celebrating American muscle cars is without exception. While the Top Time traditionally was a more youthful, entry-level enterprise, the modern references are powered by Breitling's best-in-class B01 manufacture chronograph calibre, and get all the incredible dial detail and case finishing that we've come to know and love from Breitling over the years. And as difficult as the decision of choosing between each of the four brilliant dial options may be, you'll be able to see all four in the metal at our First Look event to make the most informed choice. Our money's on the Shelby Cobra though — something about that bright blue dial and the perfect period-correct bi-compax dial layout that just sings "mid-century mastery."

Ever since the sporty and colorful H. Moser Pioneer landed on the scene, fans, collectors, and casual admirers of the brand alike have all wanted the same thing: this pitch-perfect sports watch in a 40mm case. And finally for 2023 H. Moser has given the people exactly what they wanted, finally launching a brilliant blue 40mm Pioneer. Granted, while we've already started a bit of a waitlist for this one, the Topper First Look event will give the collecting community a chance to try this one on the wrist and confirm what we've known all along: this watch is every bit worth the wait.

Speaking of waitlists, and speaking of watches that we don't mind waiting for, Czapek is another incredible maker whose product speaks for itself. This year at Watches & Wonders, the beloved indie unveiled several more variations on its signature Antarctique sports watch — from the brooding titanium "Dark Sector" to the incredible skeletonized "Revelation." But it was the bright blue "Sashiko" dial in the smaller Antarctique S that captivated us at the show. Its deeply textured dial was inspired by classical Japanese prints, and if the blue wasn't your speed, there's a brilliant pink reference as well — and both are currently available for pre-order, and will be previewable at First Look.

If a watch doesn't make you smile, what's really the point of it all anyway? Oris took that brief to the next level with the grin-inducing ProPilot X "Kermit" Edition, which marries a vibrant green dial with the PPX's signature ultralight titanium case, and on the first of every month, puppet icon Kermit the Frog appears in the date aperture. Why? Why not? It's brilliant, it's effervescent, and it's impossible not to grin when you see it. And not only will this be previewable at First Look, we have it on good authority that there might be a few pieces available to take home – not bad for a watch that promises to be in very short supply this summer.

In case you haven't been following along, G-Shock is turning its 40 years old this year, and in doing so, have been parading out a long line of epic limited editions to celebrate the big anniversary. The latest in this celebration is a trio of 'recrystalized' Full Metal references, which will be on-hand and ready for sale at the First Look show. And if that wasn't cool enough, the legendary G-Shock wall clock will be making its triumphant return to Topper, and we'll be including one as a gift with any G-Shock purchase over $900 while supplies last.

Now that you're fully briefed on Topper's inaugural First Look event, the show kicks off on Friday, April 14th at 11am, and runs through Saturday, April 15th at 6pm. Once again, we'll be hosting a very special afterparty on Saturday starting at 6, so if you'd like to get yourself on the list (our capacity for this portion of the event is limited), please RSVP here!