Geneva, the Epicenter of Global Watchmaking

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Geneva, the Epicenter of Global Watchmaking - Context
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With Watches and Wonders as its flagship event, Geneva has established itself as for not-to-be-missed destination whose heart beats to the rhythm of watchmaking year-round

Geneva, world capital of watchmaking? By way of an answer, here are the facts: nearly 50 brands – almost a dozen more than in 2022 – are exhibiting at Watches and Wonders, where 22,000 visitors already flocked during the previous edition; the luxurious suites of the hotels lining the harbor are transformed into comfortable watchmaking showrooms; the Geneva University of Art and Design (HEAD) is hosting the Time to Watches exhibition with its 30 brands; not to mention the activities organized in the boutiques on the Rue du Rhône and the new In the City event – the general public counterpart to Watches and Wonders that is held all week in the heart of the city. Within such a context, those who still refuse to call Geneva a capital will at least agree that it has become a not-to-be-missed watchmaking destination. Duly noted!

 

The Epicenter of Global Watchmaking

Strength in numbers

How did we reach this point? The former SIHH has been a major watchmaking event for the past 20 years, with its 20 or so Richemont Group brands. But the demise of Baselworld in 2020 – precipitated by the Covid health crisis and the scheduled withdrawal of Rolex, Tudor, Patek Philippe, Hublot, Zenith, TAG Heuer, Bulgari, Chopard and Chanel – accelerated the rise of Geneva. To cement its fortifications, the Watches and Wonders Geneva Foundation was created last October, uniting Richemont, Rolex and Patek Philippe under a single umbrella. This unprecedented alliance saw the appointment of Rolex CEO Jean-Frédéric Dufour as President and Emmanuel Perrin, Head of Specialist Watchmakers at Richemont, as Vice President.

The Epicenter of Global Watchmaking

All year round

The event will enhance the appeal of the city whose heart now beats to the rhythm of watchmaking throughout the seasons. Created in 2020 within the context of the pandemic, the late-summer Geneva Watch Days – organized at the beginning of September on the initiative of Bulgari, Breitling, Girard-Perregaux, De Bethune, H. Moser & Cie, MB&F, Ulysse Nardin and Urwerk – attract more and more brands to the lakeside hotels each year. The event’s strong points lie in its flexible, light and less costly format for exhibitors that seems to be a hit with watchmakers of all kinds. Jacob & Co., Doxa, Frédérique Constant, Alpina, Greubel Forsey, Oris, Reuge and even the Phillips in Association with Bacs & Russo auctioneers to name but a few, are now permanent members of the event.

The Epicenter of Global Watchmaking

Autumn in Geneva also brings its fair share of watch-related happenings. To kick off the season this year, the fifth edition of the Luxury Innovation Summit will be held from 18 to 20 September. The spectacular biennial Only Watch charity auction will take place on 5 November at the same time as the famous Geneva watch auctions that reach stratospheric records each year. ReLuxury, the trade show dedicated to pre-owned luxury, is expecting to build on the success of its first edition in November 2022 and return to brighten up the same month in 2023. As for the GPHG, it will confirm its status as the flagship watchmaking event at the 23rd ceremony slated for 9 November. Chances are that many of the competing watches will be unveiled during Watches and Wonders and its parallel events. So, for now, it’s time for the watchmaking springtime – and Geneva is definitely where it’s at!

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