From 11am this morning, through Friday 21 January 2011, the headline event for Switzerland's independent watchmakers will see nearly sixty brands unveil their latest innovations at the International Conference Centre Geneva (CICG).
Buoyed by the success of the début edition in January 2010, Geneva Time Exhibition is already established as the key exhibition platform for the independent watchmaking sector. The irrepressible optimism surrounding GTE 2011 mirrors the industry's impressive economic recovery – reflected in the number of exhibitors at this year's Fair, up 63% from 2010! In all, nearly sixty dedicated watchmakers will be on hand to present their very latest designs, as GTE 2011 showcases their amazing talent and creativity to a select audience of watch professionals and private collectors. The 2011 Fair has already been dubbed 'an exceptional vintage' by watch market experts.
At this year's Geneva Time Exhibition 2011, watch out for…
Bigger & More Varied Participation: thanks to the soaring number of exhibitors, GTE now covers every sector of independent watchmaking, ranging from long-established brands to ambitious newcomers determined to make their mark. The advent of independent luxury jewellery also sees the Fair consolidate its position in the luxury sector.
Exciting New Superwatch Award: GTE is delighted to announce the launch of the GTE Superwatch Award for the most accomplished new timepiece made by an independent watchmaker. The first prize, worth CHF 65,000 (€50,000), will be awarded to the most outstanding watch in terms of its design, avant-garde nature and technical sophistication. The competition is reserved exclusively for GTE exhibitors, with a jury composed of six renowned watch specialists: Anders Modig (Chairman), Editor of Plaza Watch; Elizabeth Doerr, watch journalist and writer; Jean-Marc Wiederrecht, independent watchmaker; Axel Kufus, Professor of Design at Berlin's Universität der Künste; Mohammed Abdulmagied Seddiqi, representing Ahmed Seddiqi & Sons, the leading watch distributors in the Middle East; and Geoffroy Ader, Head of the Watch Department at Sotheby's Europe. The winner of the first GTE Superwatch Award will be revealed during the opening party on Monday 17 January, thus enabling visitors to admire the winning timepiece throughout the Fair. The winner's trophy takes the form of a magnificent musical box by Reuge, epitomizing Swiss savoir-faire. Don't miss the award ceremony on Monday 17 January 2011 – starting 7pm!
World Premières: including the launch of the Solar Deity collection by Frédéric Jouvenot – the stuff of watchmaking legend; the eagerly awaited return of de luxe jewellers Tabbah, with a refined reinterpretation of their iconic Saga collection, originally launched in 1986; the ultra-complicated Klepcys timepiece, fruit of collaboration between Cyrus and the renowned watch designer Jean-François Mojon; two sensational designs signed Louis Moinet, Astralis and Geograph, each displaying extraordinary technical prowess; and HD3's revolutionary concept watch, Slyde.
A Constellation of Star Names: other highlights include the presence of such eminent figures as Archduke Carl Peter von Habsburg, ambassador for Jouvenot Manufacture; Sebastien Loeb – voted the greatest rally-driver of all time – in his role as ambassador for Marvin; and Thomas Borer, former Swiss Ambassador to Berlin, now ambassador for Cyrus Watches.
GTE in brief:
16 – 21 January 2011
International Conference Centre Geneva (CICG)
Opening Times
Sunday16 January: 11am-7pm
Monday 17 January – Thursday 20 January: 10am-7pm
Monday 17 January: Opening Party & GTE Superwatch Award Ceremony – 7pm onwards
Friday 21 January: 10am-4pm
Exhibitors:
Alain Silberstein, Aquanautic, Arcadia, Artya, Aspen, Ateliers de Monaco, Badollet, Bernard Richards Manufacture, Boegli, Bulova, By Karin E, Catena, Catorex, Clerc, Cornelius & Cie, Cyrus Watches, Da Vindice, Damoiselle D, Delance, Drakkar-Timepieces, Jouvenot Manufacture, HD3, Heritage Watch Manufactory, Jean-Mairet & Gillman, Ladoire, Laurent Ferrier, Les Ateliers Louis Moinet, Louis Chevrolet, Louis Erard, Magellan Watch, Marvin Watches, Montres Claude Meylan, Myriad, Pearlsydiam, Peter Tanisman, Pierre Deroche, Pierre Thomas, Quinting, Rebellion, Ressence, Reuge, RGM Watch Company, Ritmo Mundo, Saint Honoré Paris, Snyper, Speake-Marin, SwissKubik, Tabbah, Tempvs Compvtare, Valbray, Veni Vidi Vici, Yonger & Bresson, Zadig & Voltaire, Zandidoust, Zeitwinkel
