Not all images were able to load for printing. Please close the print window and try again. The Horology Club Europe, Le Carage & Le Club Shake Hands and Strengthen Bonds
Tying the proverbial knot, there's a lot to come from this unique and ongoing collaboration.
Not too long ago, we introduced you to the newly founded European chapter of The Horology Club, one of the fastest-growing and most active watch enthusiast and collector clubs around. Founded in Hong Kong by Helbert Tsang, Johnathan Chan and Carlos Pang in 2021, the club quickly gained traction in the greater Hong Kong area and expanded into Malaysia, Singapore and so on. With watch collecting being a global activity, often rooted in passion, it’s only natural to think of further expansion. The first step into a more international reach was the creation of THC Europe, headed by Frank Smits and Stan Duin. With the goal to gather, educate and create, THC Europe curates events, get-togethers and small group meetings by members themselves (aptly called Firesides) to connect and share the passion for watches from all spectrums. Broadening even further, THC Europe now connects itself to Le Carage and Le Club, the premium car storage facility and lounge based in Amsterdam.
With all this rapid expansion, you’d think the original goal of both THC Hong Kong and THC Europe might be diluted a bit, but it’s quite the opposite. Yes, it’s broadened into something outside of watches, but it connects itself to an equally deeply passionate group of people: car lovers. Cars and watches are a natural fit, as the history between timekeeping and motorsports goes back to the dawn of the automobile.
Le Carage is not just any car storage facility, but one to cater to every need a car lover might have for his or her prized possession. From storage to service and maintenance, and beyond, Le Carage is there for its members. THC Europe’s first major event was held inside the Le Carage facility, or more specifically, in Le Club, a gentlemen’s drivers lounge for members to relax, connect and share experiences.
But that’s not all, as the collaboration between the three parties involved goes even further than just hosting events. The founders of THC Europe have donated a gorgeous Jaguar XK140 to Le Carage for members to use whenever the desire (given it’s available, of course). In return, THC Europe gets a permanent space inside Le Carage and Le Club to exhibit watches and affiliated things, including the possibility to welcome members and organise a watch library, lectures, get-togethers and so on. Sometimes purely dedicated to watches, but also incorporating the car side of things. Think of it like cross-pollination between two like-minded groups of enthusiasts, sharing their passion for mechanics.
From talking to Frank Smits, we learned that one of the next events jointly organised between THC Europe, Le Carage and Le Club is the Gentlemen’s Drive ’25, hosted on September 13th 2025. THC Europe members are welcome to join in on the fun and spend a day driving around the Netherlands, and one of the stops is the new Holthinrichs atelier in Delft, located in the historic Armoury from 1602. And on top of that, they’ve announced a partnership with Holthinrichs for a special edition of their Signature Ornament inspired by the Jaguar above!
For more information on either of the three parties involved, on TheHorologyClub.com and LeCarage.com.
