RELENTLESS DRIVE & GRIT – KEEP THE DREAM ALIVE EVEN
WHEN EVERYONE TELLS YOU TO QUIT
It’s rare to find someone who when told “it can’t be done,” simply rolls up their sleeves, nods, and gets to work proving everyone wrong. That’s who Dom Italiano is. With his brand Grip Auto and the Wristwatch Check event, Dom has forged a path through the cluttered world of watches and cars despite many obstacles and a chorus of voices telling him to quit.
In his words, “It’s an impossible achievement.” And he’s making it happen. This story is about a dream that refuses to die and an underdog with vision and determination to create something remarkable. It’s about a character who is bold enough to dream big and determined to get it done.
A VISION AGAINST THE ODDS
For Dom Italiano, the idea of Wristwatch Check began not with a flash of inspiration but with sheer frustration and a relentless drive to elevate Australian watch brands. “I think the biggest reason I’m excited about Wristwatch check is because it’s an impossible achievement,” Dom says with a mix of disbelief and determination. “If you look at everything we’re doing, people say it’s impossible.” And yet, he’s doing it.
Dom sees an unattainable dream as an opportunity to defy expectations. “I’ve always had my back against the wall, pushed through barriers, and it’s that determination and willingness to strive for more,” he continues, explaining the mindset that has driven him from the beginning. Wristwatch Check is an event that combines car culture with high-end timepieces, which is no small feat. Yet Dom approaches it with an entrepreneurial spirit and a belief that anything is possible if you’re willing to do the work. “If they can do it, why can’t I?” he asks, referencing those who have achieved what others thought was impossible. It’s this questioning attitude that fuels his mission.
But it’s not just about challenging the boundaries of what’s possible. For Dom, the event is something deeply personal—a way to bring to life an experience that doesn’t currently exist in the industry. “There’s a lot of events that we had growing up that don’t exist anymore,” Dom reflects. “I want to build a community. I want the world to join it.” Wristwatch Check isn’t just another watch trade show; it’s an event where car enthusiasts, watch collectors, and creatives can come together, share their passion, and feel the excitement of something bigger than a transaction. The sense of community that Wristwatch Check fosters is something everyone can connect with, and you, as the reader of this book, are an integral part of it.
PUSHING BEYOND CONVENTION
If Dom Italiano had followed the conventional route, Wristwatch Check might have been just another watch trade show, a standard gathering of brands and enthusiasts. But for Dom, that was never going to be enough. From the very beginning, his vision was far more significant. “I can see what’s missing, and I know tradeshows can be more than people are used to,” Dom said.
The event would always be about much more than watches; it was an opportunity to create something that would reshape expectations. “When I see other events, I think, ‘This can be more,’” Dom explains, referencing the trade shows and industry gatherings that don’t ignite the same energy or excitement.
For Dom, Wristwatch Check had to be different. It had to be memorable. “The vision is there,” he says with clear conviction. “I’m building a strong community and want the world to join it.”
At its core, it’s about giving something back to the supportive community that has been there throughout Dom’s journey. Wristwatch Check isn’t just a sales pitch—it’s a celebration of passion, people, and craftsmanship.
“It’s not just another trade show,” Dom asserts. “It’s has a festival vibe.” The event is an immersive experience where car and watch enthusiasts can come together, share their love for both worlds and feel part of something bigger. Dom doesn’t just want to put on a show; he wants to create a movement that transcends the industry and leaves a lasting impact.
What Wristwatch Check offers is clear: community, experience, and something meaningful. The uniqueness of the event, the way it combines the worlds of cars, watches, and lifestyle in a way no one has ever seen before, makes it an experience unlike any other.
And that’s precisely what Dom envisioned from the start. “I want people to experience and enjoy it,” he says. “And to feel like they’re a part of something special.”
DESIGNING A LEGACY
At the core of Dom’s endeavours lies his unique blend of passions-cars and watches. “For me, it’s about cars,” he confesses. “But the crossover between cars and watches is where the magic happens.” This connection isn’t just about aesthetics; it’s about stories—the stories that each piece holds.
For Dom, a watch holds a memory, a milestone, and a connection to the past. “They hold value in terms of a story,” he explains. “The represent celebrating something. It could be treating yourself to a watch you’ve always wanted, or something handed to you from your grandfather.’
This passion for watches has culminated in creating the Lindsay Fox Legacy Watch—a meaningful timepiece made from one of Australia’s most iconic trucks.
Dom remembers the initial reaction when he proposed the idea to Hannah Fox and her family: “I was expecting a ‘no’,” he admits. “I thought they’d say, ‘Forget about it.’ But to my surprise, they said yes.” And with that, Dom set out to design a watch that would honour Lindsay Fox’s legacy while maintaining the ruggedness of the truck from which it was born.
“This watch needs to be something that he could wear sitting in his truck but also proudly at a gala later that night,” Dom says of the design process.
This attention to detail and his ability to weave stories into his designs sets D`om apart. “You’ve got all aspects of his life and legacy tied into that watch,” he says. “It’s incredible to be involved in something so meaningful.”
FLIPPING WHAT’S POSSIBLE
Looking forward, Dom is more excited about what’s to come. “It’s always like, ‘What’s next?’” he says. “We’ve done this. What can we do better next time?” This relentless drive to push forward, learn, and improve makes Dom such a compelling figure. But it’s not just about him. It’s about the people he works with, the community he’s building, and the future of micro brands in the watch industry. “The future is bold for the micro brands,” he says, recognising how these smaller, independent brands are starting to challenge the industry giants.
For Dom, it’s clear: Wristwatch Check is just the beginning. “I want people to enjoy what we’re doing,” he says, a sentiment that underpins everything he does. “We’re building something that people can be proud of.” It’s a testament to his character that he’s still here, challenging assumptions and doing it even when the world says it’s impossible. “If I quit 12 months ago, I wouldn’t be where I am now,” Dom reflects. “So, just keep it alive. Keep going, and the wins will come.”
