Photographing Watches, By Kristian Dowling
When I photograph a watch, I never see it simply as an object in front of the lens. A mechanical watch has surfaces, edges, shadows and reflections that all react differently to light. Even the smallest movement of the camera, the hand or the wrist can change the entire image.
For this Masterclass in Munich, together with Leica and Swisswatches Magazine, I want to share a practical way of looking at watches through the Leica M EV1. We will work hands-on with light, reflections, details, wrist shots and composition — not to follow a perfect studio formula, but to develop a more considered eye.
I look forward to working with a small group of collectors and photography enthusiasts in an intimate setting. Bring a watch, bring your curiosity, and be ready to look closely.
Seen through the Leica M EV1
An Exclusive Photography Masterclass for the Swisswatches Community
On 17 September 2026, Leica and Swisswatches Magazine will welcome a small group of guests to Munich for a practical Masterclass dedicated to watch photography. The afternoon and evening will be centred around the new Leica M EV1, with participants working in small groups and exploring how light, composition, detail, reflections and perspective can shape the way a mechanical watch is photographed.
Event Details
- Date: 17 September 2026
- Time: Approximately 15:00 – 22:00
- Location: Munich, with the exact location shared only with confirmed participants
- Format: A practical Watch Photography Masterclass by Leica and Swisswatches
- Language: The Masterclass will be held in english
Masterclass
- Focus: Light, composition, detail, reflections and perspective
- Camera: Leica M EV1 cameras will be provided during the session
- Bring: One or more of your own watches to photograph
- Experience level: Open to watch collectors and photography enthusiasts, from ambitious beginners to semi-professionals
Participation
- Participation fee: €99
- Donation: The full participation fee will be donated
- Places: Limited to 15 participants
- Included: Hands-on Leica Masterclass, use of Leica cameras, individual feedback, snacks, hot and cold beverages and dinner
Application
- Process: Places will be allocated on a first-confirmed, first-served basis
- Waiting list: Once all 15 places have been confirmed, further applicants may be placed on a waiting list
Participation is limited to 15 places. Please complete the form below to apply for your seat. After submitting, you will receive an email to confirm your application.
Your Application
Experience the Leica M EV1 First-Hand
The Leica M EV1 takes the M-System’s traditionally slower, more deliberate approach into a new chapter with the introduction of an integrated electronic viewfinder. Combining classic M character with a 60 MP full-frame sensor and focus assist, it allows photographers to compose and focus with a new level of precision.
For watch photography, this precision is particularly relevant. Intricate surfaces, polished edges, sapphire crystals and shifting reflections all require careful observation. During the Masterclass, participants will work hands-on with the M EV1 and real mechanical watches, discovering how the camera supports a more considered way of building an image.
The M EV1 feels exactly like that — a frame caught somewhere between tradition and transformation.
— Kristian Dowling
Look & Feel Session: Leica Mechanical Watches
Leica’s connection to watchmaking dates back to 1858, when Ernst Leitz I travelled to Neuchâtel in Switzerland to train as a watchmaker with the renowned chronometer-maker Matthäus Hipp. This formative experience in micro-precision taught him how to bring complex mechanics into small-scale devices. Leitz later channelled this knowledge into the development of optical instruments in Germany, embedding the meticulous craftsmanship of traditional watchmaking into the company’s DNA long before the first Leica camera.
Today, Leica timepieces such as the ZM series continue this dialogue between watchmaking and photography. Reflecting the aesthetic clarity and tactile feel of the M-System, they translate Leica’s design language into mechanical form. Details such as the patented push-crown recall the action of a camera’s shutter release, bringing together German engineering, Swiss inspiration and Leica’s distinctive approach to precision.
Make Your Watch a Piece of Art
At the end of the Masterclass, Swisswatches Magazine and Leica will select one standout photograph from the day. The winning image will be produced as a premium art print in a high-quality WhiteWall frame and presented to the photographer after the event.
- Winner selected by: Swisswatches Magazine and Leica
- Prize: Premium framed art print by WhiteWall
- Publication: The winning image will be featured on Swisswatches Magazine and shared via the Swisswatches Instagram feed.
- For all participants: A personal download link will be provided after the event.
