GMT Watch Safari 2026

From Geneva to the Vallée de Joux, sixteen watch enthusiasts enjoyed an exceptional immersion into the workshops, stories and encounters that bring watchmaking to life. They came from the United States, Sweden, England, Singapore, France and Switzerland. Aged between 25 and 75, they included brothers, friends, grandfather-and-grandson duos and solo travellers. Sixteen readers shared this unique experience organised by GMT. Some were returning for a second or third time, as the itinerary changes with every edition, seeking to reveal the full diversity of the watchmaking landscape. Throughout the visits, curiosity and conversation brought together this group of people from very different backgrounds. What did they have in common? The pleasure of understanding how watches are made, meeting the people who create them and sharing rare experiences. Based at the four-star Fraser Suites Geneva and Hôtel Beaulac in Neuchâtel, their days featured visits to radically different manufactures every morning and afternoon, lunches with watchmakers, and evenings spent exchanging ideas with brand representatives over excellent meals. Every experience included delightful “touch and feel” sessions, with trays of watches to admire from every angle and try on without moderation.

Roger Dubuis: The Hand and the Machine

In Meyrin, CEO David Chaumet set the tone: with around 2,000 watches produced annually and 200 employees, the manufacture is able to combine creative spontaneity with the exacting standards of the Poinçon de Genève. In the workshops, machines capable of working to within a few microns operate alongside traditional tools and human craftsmanship. Anglage, mirror polishing and tourbillon cages reveal the patience of highly experienced artisans, as do the Knights of the Round Table, whose 6 mm figurines require three to five days of sculpting. On the top floor, the highly confidential Q Lab offered an insight into the possibilities of one-of-a-kind creations, which now account for 20% of Roger Dubuis' revenue. A lunch in the VIP lounges with Roger Dubuis representatives extended this remarkable welcome.

Laurent Ferrier: The Art of Passing on Knowledge

In Plan-les-Ouates, the scale changed considerably: around 35 employees (including 25 in production), producing fewer than 200 watches a year in brand-new premises. The young watchmaking team, averaging around 30 years of age, contrasts with the tradition of hand-finishing. Guided in particular by Valentine Matray, daughter of one of the brand's co-founders, participants discovered movement production and the decoration workshops. Most importantly, everyone had the opportunity to try their hand at perlage and leave with their own little decorated steel disc, sometimes immediately worn as a pendant. A practical way to appreciate the difficulty of a gesture that appears deceptively simple.

HYT: The Founder's Inside Story

In Neuchâtel, after checking in at the Hôtel Beaulac, dinner with Lucien Vouillamoz opened the door to HYT's inner workings. The founder of fluidic display technology looked back on its origins, the long years of development, the successes, the setbacks and the repositioning of the brand that he is now undertaking by returning to the helm. The interest lay as much in this unconventional invention as in the candour of an audacious entrepreneur sharing his strategic thinking and emotions with readers as he embarks on this new chapter.

Panerai: Innovation Put to the Test

In Neuchâtel, the Panerai manufacture impressed visitors with the scale of its research and quality-control processes behind an iconic design. Inaugurated in 2014, following the establishment of an initial production unit in 2002, it now employs 270 people. From the historic Radiomir to contemporary complications and the locking crown, the teams demonstrated how the brand reinterprets watchmaking functions according to its own codes. Samples of its inventions are displayed at the Laboratorio di Idee, but quality follows its own journey. Prototypes undergo accelerated ageing, thermal shock, salt-spray and water-resistance tests. Seven years of development for a calibre with a 31-day power reserve, ten for a perpetual calendar without a corrector: patience is part of the profession, and eight master watchmakers work on the grand complications. Lunch in the VIP lounge, overlooking the lake and the Alps, finally won over the participants, some of whom had already arranged appointments at the Geneva boutique for the following day.

Mauron Musy: Close Relationships as a Signature

On the other side of Lake Neuchâtel, in converted former workshops, Mauron Musy operates on a different scale: around ten employees, two watchmakers and approximately 150 watches a year. The brand champions a patented mechanical water-resistance system without gaskets and a network of suppliers located within a 60-kilometre radius. But what stands out most is its direct relationship with collectors: they come to discuss their watches with the artisans and sometimes share lunch with them. The team also joined the group that evening at the Beaulac to continue the conversations. An informal conviviality that reflects the spirit of this small but rapidly developing manufacture.

Longines: History and Renewal

In Saint-Imier, International Director Yannick Yeni welcomed the participants, smiling as he spoke about Longines' positive momentum in 2026. In his view, this is driven by the brand's positioning in accessible luxury and the work being done on its products, boutiques and image. The HydroConquest, Master, Legend Diver and Spirit collections all testify to this renewal. The museum then reminded visitors of the other great strength of the house, founded in 1832: its exceptional watchmaking heritage. Precision competitions, inventions, documents and production archives captivated the visitors. Lunch at a village restaurant in Saint-Imier with brand representatives provided an opportunity to continue asking questions without any formalities.

Akhor: Witnessing a New Beginning

Back in Geneva, participants were given an exclusive preview of Akhor's almost-completed boutique on Rue du Rhône. Its founder explained how her experience in component manufacturing and her desire to create had led her to launch her own brand at Geneva Watch Days 2025. A patented suspended dial and a claimed triple certification — Poinçon de Genève, COSC and Geneva Observatory — give its timepieces an immediately recognisable identity. For many, this was their first encounter with the young brand, which is already looking ahead to participating in Watches and Wonders in 2027.

Frédérique Constant and Alpina: The Surprise of Complications

In Plan-les-Ouates, the visit to the Frédérique Constant–Alpina facility changed several collectors' perceptions of this accessible-luxury brand. Its teams presented the assembly lines, quality controls and workshops dedicated to Manufacture calibres, tourbillons and perpetual calendars. The company claims to have developed 35 calibres since its beginnings, and its representatives described the current period as particularly successful, with September 2026 reportedly a record month for the brand. The highlight was the practical workshop: accompanied by a watchmaker, visitors handled a movement and dismantled, among other things, its balance wheel. Lunch at the manufacture with commercial and operational managers offered further insight into a family spirit that has endured within the Citizen Group.

Reuge: Preserving the Craft of Mechanical Art

In Sainte-Croix, the Reuge workshops opened up another chapter: that of mechanical music boxes. In this place dedicated to passing on traditional skills, under the impetus of Denis Flageollet, co-founder of De Bethune, readers discovered the influence of wood, volumes and mechanical adjustments on acoustics. Visitors followed the manufacturing process and learned about improvements made to the machines to ensure the reliability of delicate operations. Month-long training programmes help preserve these rare crafts. Denis Flageollet joined the group for refreshments and an informal conversation in the magnificent showroom, which offers panoramic views of the mountains.

GPHG: Front-Row Guests

On Thursday evening, the opening of the Grand Prix d'Horlogerie de Genève exhibition at the Museum of Art and History offered another privilege: attending the official proceedings, discovering the 84 nominated watches and taking part in the VIP cocktail reception. For these enthusiasts, who had travelled from several continents, the feeling of being fully included in one of the year's major watchmaking events was extraordinary.

Audemars Piguet: Ali Baba's Cave

In Le Brassus on Friday, enthusiasm erupted as soon as the group entered the showroom at the Musée Atelier Audemars Piguet. Around 160 watches from the current collection, including some exceptionally rare references, could be taken out of their impressive wall display, tried on and photographed on the wrist. For several enthusiasts who already owned AP watches, it was Christmas come early. Then came the exceptional opportunity to visit the ARC, a new manufacture normally closed to the public, which revealed the inner workings of the Maison: the creation and assembly of complications, educational models (including one illustrating the patented double balance wheel), movements containing more than 600 components and exceptionally precise craftsmanship. Eager to share their passion, some watchmakers even offered tips on how to keep one's hands steady, particularly when assembling a tourbillon cage over the course of eight hours. Lunch at the Hôtel des Horlogers extended this delightful immersion.

Bulgari: The Revelation of the Grande Sonnerie

A few kilometres away, the Bulgari watchmaking manufacture provided another surprise. Around one hundred people work in this historic building, including some twenty watchmakers. In the grand complications department, five specialists produce grande sonnerie watches, featuring four hammers and a melody unique to the house. Both the gongs and the hammers are made in-house; a movement combining a minute repeater, grande sonnerie and perpetual calendar can comprise 1,200 components. Each watchmaker assembles their timepiece from beginning to end, creating a personal connection with its future owner. Component cutting by wire EDM to micron-level precision, anglage, perlage and Côtes de Genève revealed a level of virtuosity at Bulgari that visitors had never suspected. For many, this final day was the most memorable.

Czapek Brings the Journey Full Circle at Quai des Bergues

The week came to an end in Geneva at the new Czapek boutique, which opened in September on Quai des Bergues, at the brand's historic birthplace. The programme included a presentation of the brand, a glass of champagne and an opportunity to try on pieces from its collections. Then it was simply a matter of crossing the Rhône to reach Brasserie Lipp and share the farewell dinner with the brand's Sales Director, Pierre Millasson. One last simple and warm moment, true to the spirit of the trip: a passion for watches brings people together just as much as the watches themselves.

Readers with a Gentlemanly Spirit

A key factor in the success of a week spent together at an intensive pace, with long days, is the atmosphere, which depends directly on the participants' state of mind. Since the first edition, it has always been excellent. The diversity of these enthusiasts' backgrounds reflects that of the industry itself. Good humour, conviviality, enthusiasm and respect were integral to every exchange. By the end of the trip, the Safari's WhatsApp group was buzzing with friendly messages and expressions of gratitude.

Michael (USA) commented: “Once again, you brought together a wonderful group of travelling companions. It was a pleasure to meet the newcomers and reconnect with those from last year's tour. As always, it was a wonderful trip. I know how hard you work to organise the accommodation and all the logistics. The fact that everything went so smoothly is proof of that! I'm already looking forward to next year.”

Peter (Switzerland) agreed: “Thank you once again for this wonderful week dedicated to the art of watchmaking. Thank you for the excellent organisation, the fascinating conversations and the new discoveries, and thank you for all the great moments we shared!”

Yev (Singapore) was certainly not going to disagree: “I can only echo what Peter said! Wonderful moments, wonderful people, wonderful experiences!”

Nick (England) was equally enthusiastic: “I completely agree with what has been said. It was a fantastic and very informative trip, with fascinating places to visit… and plenty of excellent restaurants and good wine. Thank you also to my fellow travellers!”

Thierry (France), who has been attending since the very first edition, went even further: “Thank you from the bottom of my heart for this wonderful week you gave us, always by our side and surrounded by the fantastic Watch Safari family. Congratulations on the outstanding organisation, the warm welcome and the particularly enriching exchanges we enjoyed during our manufacture visits.”

The final word goes to Frank, a Swiss participant returning for the second time: “I would like to thank everyone for this unforgettable week. We felt like one big family.”