While we never need an excuse hit Hudson Yards for a high-end shopping spree, we must admit that trying on watches is way more fun when there's champagne and cocktails involved.

This week, premier lifestyle and travel magazine Elite Traveler continued its 20th anniversary celebrations with the glamorous launch of its Fall Watch Issue. Over 100 well-heeled guests, including Dale Moss, Mike Tommasiello, Roma Abdessalam, Wael Davis, Stephen Pasterino, Josh Beckerman, and Alexander Calver, stepped out to shop, sip, and rub elbows at Watches of Switzerland, where they perused an exceptional array of luxury timepieces from brands featured in the annual Top Watches list including Rolex, Jaeger-LeCoultre, Patek Philippe, Bovet, Vacheron Constantin, Omega, Tag Heuer, Hublot and more.

In addition to enjoying canapes from Testino Events, cocktails from Clase Azul, Glenmorangie, Belvedere, SelvaRey, and Scapegrace, along with flutes of champagne courtesy of Laurent Perrier, attendees snapped photos with Polestar's Polestar 1 and learned about the company's efforts in responsible luxury - a theme intertwined with Elite Traveler's new issue.

"Each year our team of experts search for the most important, unique and painstaking complications that have been released where each and every watch represents the pinnacle of horological prowess, however this year we have added an even more interesting twist as we as a company have rebranded to become the magazine that represents Responsible Luxury Lifestyle and with that we have taken careful consideration of only brands that are making strides in the sustainability space," says Elite Traveler SVP Corey Zaretsky. "It is our goal to see consideration of sustainability continue to grow in the lifestyle space and we plan to continue leading the push in that direction."

The jet set crowd was also treated to custom monogrammed leather passport holders - perfect for all our future travel plans.

Click through for an inside look at the event!

[Photo via Rupert Ramsay and Joe Schildhorn of BFA]

Corey Zaretsky

The Guest List

More