While a record 54 brands will be exhibiting at Palexpo, many more will be hosting customers and media in town, notably at HEAD (Time to Watches) and the Beau-Rivage Hotel. Founded by Patek Philippe, Richemont and Rolex, the Watches and Wonders Geneva Foundation (WWGF), which organizes the show, is dedicated to promoting watchmaking excellence worldwide. No one can dispute the success of this mission, nor fail to notice the notable absence of the Swatch Group. There are whispers that some of its brands may be approaching Geneva Watch Days this summer, an event co-founded by Breitling and Bulgari (both absent from Watches and Wonders). Furthermore, the WWGF is governed by a Foundation Board, which does not include the LVMH group, another industry heavyweight with a strong presence among exhibitors. Could it be that the world leader in luxury goods, which also organizes LVMH Watch Week every January, will choose to leave Watches and Wonders if it doesn't get a seat on the Foundation Board?
This would be a setback for the entire industry, since there is strength in numbers and everyone agrees that this global watchmaking happening remains an indispensable platform, highly beneficial for networking and for energizing the watchmaking community. As a media partner right from the outset, we will be devoting dozens of articles and videos to it over the next few days (and weeks!) on WorldTempus, as well as a 34-page feature in GMT. Our loyal WorldTempus readers will be offered the digital version on Friday 12 April. And don't forget to follow our social networks - you'll see it all!
