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Watches & Wonders 2023: All You Need To Know

THM Desk

13 Mar 2023 |

5 min read

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Watchmaking is a passionate world, steeped in history, and exploring it is a sensory experience. Geneva is busy preparing what is set to be the largest watchmaking gathering ever to take place in this watch haven in Switzerland - Watches & Wonders 2023. The Salon will open its doors in less than a month with 48 exhibiting Maisons, including some of the main players of the industry, ready to unveil their novelties and a rich program of activities, the week promises to be full of Wonders!

Take a break from the exceptional hospitality at Watches & Wonders

While the first days will be reserved for the press, retailers, and guests of the exhibiting Maisons, this year the passion for watchmaking will be shared with everyone, whether In the Salon or In The City.

During the entire week, the heart of Geneva will be beating to the rhythm of watchmaking movements with a dedicated program for the general public. Various activities will take place In the City from Monday, March 27 to Saturday, April 1, and In the Salon on April 1 and 2. Without forgetting the special evening, which will animate the streets of Geneva on March 30 from 5.00 pm to 9.00 pm.

Watches & Wonders 2023: All You Need To Know

Geneva - City Center

In the City
Monday, March 27 - Saturday, April 1, 2023

For the first time, Watches and Wonders will be taking over the center of Geneva, to share this passion with everyone with exhibitions planned in the watch boutiques, guided visits along with a rally and conferences. The highlight of the week is an evening of festivities on Thursday 30 March, with street artists, bands, and a concert from an electro star. Don’t miss out on this one…

Boutique animations

The Maisons exhibiting at Watches and Wonders Geneva are planning special animations in their boutiques over the week. Indicated by a Watches and Wonders display, they will highlight their exceptional creations and pieces, their craftsmanship, and their know-how.

Watchmaking rally

The rally invites enthusiasts to discover the watchmakers’ boutiques and cultural sites, mobile in hand. Using the QR codes dotted along the way, you will have to piece together the word 'Watches and Wonders,' the secret code that will allow you to enter the prize draw. Ten winners will receive two tickets for the Salon during the weekend, including meals.

Guided tours and visits (free)

Geneva city center: Two tours per day Theme: Discover Geneva's historical watchmaking landmarks. Days: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday Time: 12.30 pm and 4 pm Register

Patek Philippe Museum, Geneva - Photo Credit : Fondation Genève Tourisme & Congrès

Patek Philippe Museum
Theme: A guided tour of the museum, which houses one of the world's most prestigious watch collections
Days & Time: Tuesday and Thursday (4 to 6 pm) and Saturday (10 am to 12 pm).
Register

Feel the heartbeat of Geneva’s watchmaking industry as Geneva Tourism offers to take you back into the City’s illustrious watchmaking past with a tour that starts at 2 pm on Saturday.

Rue du Rhone, Geneva - Photo Credit : Fondation Genève Tourisme & Congrès

An evening of street festivities

Starting at 5.00 pm on March 30th, Watches and Wonders will be taking over the Rue Basses, from the Pont de la Machine to the Place Longemalle, passing by the major watch brand boutiques and stores in Rue du Rhône. The final entertainment of the evening will take place on Quai Général Guisan. Street artists, dancers, and musicians will bring life to the 5 areas provided for them in the Rue Basses.

This will be followed by a conference entitled “Geneva, Switzerland, and watchmaking" which will be given at the Pont de la Machine at 7.00 pm but in French. Register

Post the conference, street artists will be encouraging the general public to go to the Quai Général Guisan for the final event of the day. Food trucks will be on the ground while you enjoy the entertainment. The night will end with a star electro DJ playing a set on the Quai Général Guisan to close this watchmaking night festival in a party atmosphere.

In the Salon

Where?
Palexpo
Route François-Peyrot 30
1218 Le Grand-Saconnex, Geneva

When?
Saturday 1 – Sunday 2 April 2023
from 8.30 am to 7 pm

Watches and Wonders 2022

As mentioned before, the Salon will open to the public on April 1st and 2nd. A 1-day ticket costs: CHF 70.
Special rates for students and seniors.
Free for children under 12.
Tickets are nominative. Only available online.
Food & beverages are not included.
Buy your tickets here.

Over the 2 days you can experience everything you ever wanted to know about watchmaking via:

4 different guided tours to help you discover the 48 exhibiting Maisons. Register directly at the Salon’s Info Points
The LAB area, which is focused on technological innovations, will showcase 15 innovative projects on the future of watchmaking
The "What time is it?" by Karine Bauzin exhibition, where the Swiss press photographer investigates our relationship with time and how it is perceived
The Auditorium will host a series of conferences addressing different watchmaking topics and major trends. Listed below are the sessions you could attend.

LAB Area at Watches and Wonders 2022

Saturday, April 1st

10:00 - My Watches and Wonders Week: What to experience? I have spent the full week at Palexpo: What are the experiences not to be missed? Were there trends I could observe? A guide for today’s visitors.

11:00 - Product novelties: What's trending? Various watch specialists take us through the trends they identified, and product novelties they discover throughout the event in terms of design, material, complications, colors...

12:00 - What's your Watch Worth? Over the last few years, the perception and the actual value of a luxury watch have evolved tremendously. State of affairs.

16:00 - The Power of Collaboration: how luxury watch brands learned to thrive in a market driven by hype. By discussing all forms of collaboration (partnerships, ambassadors, associations), we will examine their added value for both brands and their customers.

17:00 - Web3, Blockchain, and The Metaverse in Watchmaking. Connecting A Traditional Industry / How new technologies and the Web3 are connecting a traditionally and inherently unconnected industry.

Watches & Wonders 2023: IWC Keynote at the auditorium

Sunday, April 2

10:00 - My Watches and Wonders Week: What to experience? I have spent the full week at Palexpo: what are the experiences not to be missed? Were there trends I could observe? A guide for today’s visitors.

11:00 - Product novelties: What's trending? Various Watch Specialists take us through the trends they identified, and product novelties they discover throughout the event in terms of design, material, complications, colors...

12:00 - Geneva, Switzerland, and Watchmaking. Travel through the historical steps that placed Geneva at the center of watchmaking and discover what makes the intrinsic value of a Swiss mechanical watch.

15:00 - Circularity and watchmaking: the different virtuous circles of a watch. Circularity appears to be one of the solutions for the better sustainability of the watch industry. What does this mean for brands and customers?

16:00 - The ABC of vintage collecting – a different perspective. How to start a vintage collection? Over the last few years, vintage has gained traction. Certainly pushed by sustainability and circularity concerns, but it represents another category of collection altogether. Let’s discover why?

In case you still can’t make it to Geneva, stay tuned to thehourmarkers.com as we will take you through a virtual journey starting March 27th until April 2nd. From new launches to industry and expert updates, stay glued to all our platforms for a holistic experience of Watches & Wonders 2023!

Click here for more information on the services during Watches & Wonders 2023

Brands at Watches and Wonders Geneva 2023

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