The ‘salon of many wonders’ has exceeded expectations and ended on the highest of notes. At the largest watchmaking summit ever held in Geneva international launches of new watchmaking products demonstrated extraordinary creativity, while a vast digital offering, including panels and keynotes, generated fruitful discussions and hundreds of millions of views on social media… The energy and enthusiasm created by such an event can also be measured by the exceptional response it produced throughout the world and confirm the importance of this annual get-together.
A strong, united watchmaking industry.
By bringing the main players in the watchmaking industry together in one place, Watches and Wonders Geneva enables the industry to speak with one voice. For its first physical event under its new name, Watches and Wonders Geneva is set within a favorable context for the Swiss watchmaking industry. The 2022 salon produced strong results for the exhibiting Maisons, and occasionally exceeded all expectations, with some brands selling out of their new pieces before the event concluded.
With nearly 22,000 unique visitors, including nearly 1,000 journalists who traveled to Geneva for the event, generating more than 30,000 overnight stays, this year’s salon has ended on an extremely positive note. Thanks to the 38 exhibiting watches on their wrists and the pleasure of meeting again and chatting, almost made some guests late for their appointments. In total, there were 1,700 Touch & Feel sessions for the press, 20 Keynotes from exhibiting Maisons, 7,000 meetings with retailers, not to mention the many discussion panels addressing future challenges such as sustainability, innovation and customer experience.
The LAB, a space hosting 15 digital and technological initiatives from the exhibiting Maisons, focusing on major themes such as the use of new materials or the development of partnerships with sustainable organizations, also attracted many visitors. The Time Design exhibition, dedicated to the history of watch design through the ages, was moreover a great success with nearly 4,500 visitors. This collection of over 100 timepieces will now be on display to the general public from April 14 to May 8, 2022 at the Pont de la Machine in Geneva.
Watches and Wonders Geneva.
Nearly 40 watchmaking Maisons to exhibit at the physical Salon in 2022.
After two entirely digital editions, the key watchmaking industry event is confirmed to take place in Geneva both in a physical format – in the halls of Palexpo – and digitally, via the watchandwonders.com platform. Nearly 40 watch and jewellery brands will gather at this watchmaking summit for the first time over 7 days – from 30 March to 5 April 2022.
The next Watches and Wonders Geneva, which is eagerly awaited after two years of being entirely online, is already shaping up for 2022. More than a trade show, this watchmaking summit will bring together the main industry players, with the arrival of new brands such as Hublot, TAG Heuer and Zenith from the LVMH Group, Grand Seiko, Oris and the jeweller Van Cleef & Arpels who is making its return to the Salon. Reputed brands such as Chanel, Chopard, Patek Philippe, Rolex and Tudor will also be exhibiting for the first time in Geneva. Not to mention other major Maisons, such as Cartier, Hermès, IWC Schaffhausen, Jaeger-LeCoultre, Piaget, Ulysse Nardin and Vacheron Constantin, who have been regulars for many years.
All these players will vibrate to the rhythm of a thrilling watch-industry week and will be showcased in one single setting at Palexpo. The Carré des Horlogers will welcome fifteen independent designer-craftsmen and women at the centre of the exhibition.
A hybrid, flexible concept.
After proving its agility over the last two events, Watches and Wonders Geneva is moving to a hybrid format so that visitors can above all have a face-to-face experience but also participate on line, depending on the changing context of the pandemic.
Everything has been thought through and organised to ensure that the product presentations, new product launches, keynotes, panel discussions and conferences can be followed in Geneva by visitors onsite, but also, for those who are unable to travel, remotely, via the www.watchesandwonders.com platform. All the content will be available online, live or in replay.
But nothing can ever replace in-person experience. Industry players have clearly stated their desire to get together around the products. They want their guests to be able to see and touch the exceptional pieces, to discuss, debate and interact on site. Watches and Wonders Geneva 2022 promises once again to be a great success but also a wonderful reunion.
