Geneva reaffirms its status as the horological capital of the world from 31 October to 10 November 2019, with the opening of the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève exhibition and the Watch Photo Awards, as well as the traditional fall watch auctions, punctuated this year by the biennial Only Watch. The Fine Watch Club is organising for its members an exclusive programme, which includes visits to manufactures, exhibitions, and talks with prominent figures in the watch industry, all peppered with cocktails and congenial meals.
Over the course of each exceptional day proposed (with the possibility for members to sign up for one or more days), 10 members of the Fine Watch Club will benefit from guidance of experts and privileged access to the behind-the-scenes of renowned watchmaking brands. They will also be able to have a sneak preview of the future limited editions that the Fine Watch Club is creating exclusively for its members. Members who wish to do so may even create a multi-day programme — although speedy sign-up may be required to ensure a place for the most popular activities.
31 October
Codeword: PLO-UN!
Frédérique Constant Museum, Vacheron Constantin manufacture and Ulysse Nardin.
The acronym PLO refers to Plan-les-Ouates, the Geneva commune that is home to the Vacheron Constantin and Frédérique Constant manufactures, and UN stands for Ulysse Nardin.
Frédérique Constant Museum
The morning will be dedicated to visiting the new Frédérique Constant museum, which was inaugurated this summer. Experience the manufacture in a recreational and interactive space, which also showcases the history and universe of each brand (Alpina and Atelier de Monaco belong to the same group). Its vast exhibition space showcases historic vintage watches, the process of creating a manufacture movement and details for the brands’ most emblematic watches. Since the launch of its first manufacture movement in 2004, Frédérique Constant has created 29 manufacture movements. This VIP guided visit will end with an intimate lunch at the heart of the manufacture.
Vacheron Constantin Manufacture
The afternoon will be devoted to the oldest manufacture in the world (running uninterrupted since 1755), Vacheron Constantin — a brand that has produced some of the most complicated watches in existence. Members will find themselves immersed in Vacheron Constantin’s savoir-faire in this guided visit of the manufacture, exclusive to the Fine Watch Club, and will include a presentation of rare watches by a master watchmaker.
Ulysse Nardin
The day will end with a meeting with the head of Ulysse Nardin, the brand known for its Freak collection and its marine chronometers. Its manufacture, entirely integrated for movement creation, is one of the most innovative manufactures in the industry. The brand has entered a new and dynamic era since the appointment of its CEO, Patrick Pruniaux. Discover the brand’s latest creations as well as a surprise prototype, in exclusivity for the Fine Watch Club.
1 November
Detailed Timing
Meet with the heads of Girard-Perregaux, visit the smallest watch manufacture in Geneva, the Patek Philippe Museum and get into the invite-only GPHG expo!
The Fine Watch Club will welcome you in its gallery in Eaux-Vives, located in the GMT Publishing premises, where the core of watchmaking editorial is created with editorial powerhouses such as GMT Magazine and watchmaking news website WorldTempus, as well as the offices for the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève (GPHG), the Geneva Watch Tour and the Watch Photo Awards.
During the visit you will be able to discuss with the CEO or Director of Creation of Girard-Perregaux, the brand known for its Three Bridges tourbillons and its complex triple-axis tourbillon, awarded multiple times at the GPHG. It’s a great opportunity to discuss brand strategy for a high-end watchmaking brand and discuss the process of launching a collection such as the Laureato. You will also be able to exclusively discover a watch prototype for a special project. A lunch held in an intimate setting will follow the visit.
Akrivia
The visit will then head towards Old Town Geneva, to visit the smallest watch manufacture in Geneva, Akrivia, in the company of its founder Rexhep Rexhepi, who only produces a few dozen watches a year. Here, traditional craftsmanship is as authentic as it can get. Akrivia won last year’s Men’s Watch Prize at the GPHG with its beautiful Chronomètre Contemporain.
Patek Philippe Museum
Then we change scenery at the Patek Philippe Museum, whose Art Deco building houses five centuries of horological creations. Often considered the holy temple of watchmaking, the museum doesn’t just contain the oldest or most complicated Patek Philippe watches, but also has automatons and miniature enamel wonders that reflect traditional watchmaking art. The visit will be headed by an experienced guide, dedicated to the Fine Watch Club.
Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève Exhibition
The day will conclude in splendid horological fashion with the exhibition of the GPHG at the Musée d’Art et d’Histoire, on invitation only, where the 84 watches up for consideration will be gathered all together for the first time. The exhibition is simply spectacular, and some pieces can even be handled (with care!). In this environment filled with cultural significance, the Watch Photo Awards (created by our parent company, GMT Publishing), will also hold the opening of its 2019 exhibition. The 60 photos selected for this international watch photography competition will adorn the walls of the museum. A cocktail reception will accompany this concentration of 7 November.
7 November
The Oscars of Horology
Exhibition and awards ceremony for the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève (GPHG), visit at the Patek Philippe Museum and meet with Maurice Lacroix.
The Fine Watch Club will welcome you to the Musée d’Art et d’Histoire in Geneva, where the 84 watches selected for the GPHG will be exhibited in a spectacular setting. The award winners will be announced that same evening. In this environment filled with cultural significance, the Watch Photo Awards (created by our parent company, GMT Publishing), will also hold the opening of its 2019 exhibition. The 60 photos selected for this international watch photography competition will adorn the walls of the museum.
One of the brands being considered in the GPHG, Maurice Lacroix is one of the most dynamic brands in the accessible luxury side of this industry. Its product director will be meeting with Fine Watch Club members to explain the brand’s strategy, the process of building a cohesive collection and will also unveil a surprise prototype for the first time. A lunch in a more intimate setting will follow.
Patek Philippe Museum
Then we change scenery at the Patek Philippe Museum, whose Art Deco building houses five centuries of horological creations. Often considered the holy temple of watchmaking, the museum doesn’t just contain the oldest or most complicated Patek Philippe watches, but also has automatons and miniature enamel wonders that reflect traditional watchmaking art. The visit will be headed by an experienced guide, dedicated to the Fine Watch Club.
The Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève
Often considered the Oscars of horology, the GPHG attracts the entire watchmaking industry during its awards ceremony at the Théatre du Léman for one exceptional evening, only on invitation. Experience this spectacular event, filled with revelry and humour, while comfortably seated and meet the figures presenting at the ceremony during a joyous cocktail.
To close the evening, the Managing Director of the Fine Watch Club will be taking members to dinner close to the Théâtre du Léman, all the while keeping a few surprises in store.
8 November
Plan-les-(Only)Watch
Frédérique Constant Museum, Vacheron Constantin manufacture and Only Watch exhibition.
The Fine Watch Club will take 10 members on a visit filled with exceptional discoveries at two manufactures emblematic of Plan-les-Ouates (a region of Geneva).
Frédérique Constant Museum
The morning will be dedicated to visiting the new Frédérique Constant museum, which was inaugurated this summer. Experience the manufacture in a recreational and interactive space, which also showcases the history and universe of each brand (Alpina and Atelier de Monaco belong to the same group). Its vast exhibition space showcases historic vintage watches, the process of creating a manufacture movement and details for the brands’ most emblematic watches. Since the launch of its first manufacture movement in 2004, Frédérique Constant has created 29 manufacture movements. This VIP guided visit will end with an intimate lunch at the heart of the manufacture.
Vacheron Constantin Manufacture
The afternoon will be devoted to the oldest manufacture in the world (running uninterrupted since 1755), Vacheron Constantin — a brand that has produced some of the most complicated watches in the world. Members will find themselves immersed in Vacheron Constantin’s savoir-faire in this guided visit of the manufacture, exclusive to the Fine Watch Club, and will include a presentation of rare watches by a master watchmaker. 
Only Watch Exhibition
Then we return to the center of Geneva, where the biennial Only Watch will unite 52 high-end watchmaking brands that have each created extraordinary unique pieces to be auctioned off, with proceeds being donated to the Monegasque Association Against Muscular Dystrophy to further its research on Duchenne muscular dystrophy. These exceptionally creative watches will be showcased to a privileged few in the Palace des Bergues before the Christie’s auction the next day. It will be the last time you will have the chance to admire all 51 unique pieces of Only Watch 2019, which, according to experts in the industry, is likely to beat auction records this year (the total amount raised during the auctions is predicted to surpass the tens of millions).
9 November
Geneva Watch Tour
Geneva Watch Tour, Bucherer, and the GPHG exhibition.
The Fine Watch Club will be unveiling Geneva’s horological foundations, from its historical roots to the epitome of its contemporary artform.
Geneva Watch Tour
The Geneva Watch Tour (GWT) is a tour designed to visit Geneva while passing in front of hundreds of watch boutiques and numerous monuments that represent the horological roots of Geneva, all as a way of discovering why the “Cité de Calvin” has become the watchmaking capital of the world.
Bucherer
Arguably the biggest retailer in the world and prominent figure in the Swiss watchmaking industry in relation to Rolex, Bucherer has just completely renovated its historical building on the rue du Rhône and opened an entire floor dedicated to certified pre-owned watches. Visit this temple of luxury watchmaking and discover the many surprises it holds amongst its rare pieces.
Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève Exhibition
After a convivial Genevan lunch in the company of the Fine Watch Club’s Managing Director, members will visit the Musée d’Art et d’Histoire, where the 84 watches selected for the GPHG will be exhibited in a spectacular setting — and some pieces can even be handled (with care!). The award winners will have been announced the night prior. In this environment filled with cultural significance, the Watch Photo Awards (created by our parent company, GMT Publishing), will also hold the opening of its 2019 exhibition. The 60 photos selected for this international watch photography competition will adorn the walls of the museum.
*** In order to best welcome members in an exclusive setting, only 10 spots are available for these days, and only one guest per member is permitted. You can reserve your day here ***
