The Client: Chrono24

A three-day photo and video shoot at The Watch Barn in Hertfordshire. Working in collaboration with Zurich-based agency SirMary, the shoot was designed to document the Chrono24 Certified authentication process—the technical backbone of the platform's buyer protection.

Low-key environmental portrait of a female watchmaker in the technical lab at The Watch Barn. Low-light photography by Matt Ankers for Chrono24.
Environmental portrait of a technical specialist in the hospitality space at The Watch Barn. Photography by Matt Ankers.

The Work

Chrono24 is one of the world’s leading online marketplaces for luxury watches, connecting collectors, dealers, and enthusiasts worldwide. For this project, I was commissioned to photograph the process behind servicing, inspecting, and authenticating mechanical timepieces.

The shoot was designed to highlight both the watches and the people responsible for their care. By profiling the watchmakers through a combination of portraits and candid moments in the workshop, the images communicate the expertise, precision, and care involved in authentication. This human element reinforces trust, showing collectors the skill and attention dedicated to every timepiece.

Alongside the watchmaker portraits, the series follows each watch through its servicing process. Close-up photography captures the intricate details of dials, polished cases, and mechanical components, while wider shots situate the watches in a professional working environment. Balancing these perspectives required careful attention to light and composition, particularly to manage reflections across the polished surfaces of luxury watches.

The result is a cohesive collection of lifestyle, documentary, and product imagery that presents both the watches and the watchmakers in a calm, contemporary style. By combining candid working moments, detailed watch photography, and human-focused portraits, the series tells a complete story of authenticity and care.

Close-up of technical watch inspection at the Watch Atelier. Photographed by Matt Ankers.
Watchmakers servicing an Omega Seamaster at The Watch Barn for Chrono24. Photography by Matt Ankers.
Close-up of an Omega Seamaster being serviced with Bergeon tools in the Watch Atelier at The Watch Barn. Technical photography by Matt Ankers for Chrono24.
Detailed macro shot of an IWC Schaffhausen timepiece during the Chrono24 Certified inspection. Photographed by Matt Ankers.
Candid portrait of a watchmaker in the atelier at The Watch Barn, capturing the human element of the Chrono24 authentication process. Photography by Matt Ankers.
Wide shot of the technical workstation and authentication equipment at The Watch Barn atelier. Photography by Matt Ankers for Chrono24.

The Deliverables

The final images were used across Chrono24’s digital platforms, including web design, social media, and web banners. They demonstrate how professional luxury watch photography can support brand storytelling, highlighting craftsmanship, process, and the trust collectors place in a platform like Chrono24.

If you are commissioning watch photography, watchmaker storytelling, or lifestyle product imagery, feel free to get in touch.

Matt Ankers photography for Chrono24, showcased in a mobile UI layout to demonstrate social-first asset creation and digital campaign application.
Lifestyle photography by Matt Ankers documenting a watchmaker in the technical lab at The Watch Barn for Chrono24.

Project Credits
Client:
Chrono24 | Agency: SirMary | Location: The Watch Barn, UK.
Production: 3-day shoot covering Studio and Lab Lifestyle.
Deliverables: Social-first vertical assets, mobile UI and high-res stills for UK & DACH regions.
Technical: Canon, Profoto, and Bergeon horological tools.
Team: Matt Ankers (Principal Photographer),
David Hares (Assistant), Roseanna Velin (HMUA).

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