Since 1991, having run annually for almost two decades, the Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie (SIHH) luxury watch showcase needed a makeover due to changes in the industry.
Organiser Fondation de la Haute Horlogerie (FHH) announced last October that there would not be a 30th edition of the SIHH, whose reinvention to attract an existing and a new audience would be called Watches & Wonders Geneva.
After the departure of major brands, particularly those under the Swatch Group, BaselWorld also welcomed a new beginning for the 2020s.
A synchronisation would have the world's biggest watch fairs held back to back, with Watches & Wonders Geneva scheduled from April 25-29, and BaselWorld from April 30 to May 5.
The Covid-19 pandemic, however, led to cancellation of both exhibitions. The FHH instead invited exploring Watches & Wonders Geneva from home via an online platform.
IWC Schaffhausen Portugieser Yacht Club Moon & Tide.
"We are thrilled to be partnering with the finest watchmaking brands in the world to bring the Watches & Wonders concept to life online at a time when our industry needs it the most," said Fabienne Lupo, FHH's chairwoman and managing director. "This dynamic new platform will allow watch lovers everywhere to discover exciting new products, engage in enriching experiences, and connect directly with our participating brands in one place."
The website features dedicated pages for the 30 maisons that include A Lange & Sohne, Hermès Horloger, IWC Schaffhausen, Panerai, Roger Dubuis and Vacheron Constantin.
They also introduce themselves and their heritage as well as new collections through engaging videos. For example, IWC Schaffhausen CEO Christoph Grainger-Herr unveils the new Portugieser collection from the state-of-the-art Manufakturzentrum. Likewise, Roger Dubuis CEO Nicola Andreatta takes viewers inside its manufacturing plant in Meyrin, and talks about the brand's anticonformist approach to designing crazy products.
Panerai's CEO Jean-Marc Pontroué announces 2020 as the Year of the Luminor, launched in 1950, and explains technical innovations the for new models.
Vacheron Constantin Overseas Perpetual Calendar Ultra-thin Skeleton.
Heritage and style director Christian Selmoni explains that through this year's timepieces, in the context that everyone needs to escape, Vacheron Constantin pays tribute to the unlimited power of the mind and the beauty of imaginary worlds.
The 2020 novelties include Arnold & Son Time Pyramid Tourbillon; IWC Schaffhausen Portugieser Yacht Club Moon & Tide; Panerai Luminor Marina Fibratech; Rebellion Re-Volt Bruno Senna; Roger Dubuis Excalibur Diabolus In Machina; and Vacheron Constantin Overseas Perpetual Calendar Ultra-thin Skeleton.
A broad range of business and educational content include product analysis, trend forecasts, technological innovation and in-depth explorations of design, artistry and craft, as well as business talks and commentary from industry experts.
Novices to haute horlogerie can follow a series of master classes on the various complications, conducted by watchmaking expert Pascal Ravessoud.
In the second phase to come later this summer, strategic e-commerce partnerships will enhance the platform's appeal for watch lovers, and bring further value to participating brands.
Visit watchesandwonders.com.
IWC Schaffhausen CEO Christoph Grainger-Herr unveils the new Portugieser collection.
Roger Dubuis CEO Nicola Andreatta talks about the brand's anticonformist approach.
A video of a master class on complications with watchmaking expert Pascal Ravessoud.
Luxury brands meet in Geneva
After cancellations of BaselWorld and Watches & Wonders, the only big watch event in 2020 will be Geneva Watch Days, scheduled from Aug 26-29.
The initiative was launched earlier this year by luxury brands including Bvlgari, Breitling, De Bethune, Gerald Genta, Girard-Perregaux, H. Moser & Cie, MB&F, Ulysse Nardin and Urwerk.
This group of watchmakers with very diverse profiles will present a wealth of timepieces. The operation is intended to be decentralised, agile, collegial, convivial and inexpensive in its organisation to make the four-day event as attractive and efficient as possible.
Exhibitions will be held at city hotels, as well as in boutiques and workshops of the participating brands. A central reception desk will provide orientation and guidance for retailers and media to optimise in the smoothest possible way their appointments with each brand.
A user-friendly digital platform, gva-watch-days.com, provides different venues for each brand on a map of downtown Geneva. The site also enables registering and booking of appointments with the different brands, as well as hotel reservations.
The programme will also include social gatherings that will be organised in strict compliance with precautionary health measures defined by the Confederation and the Canton of Geneva, whose fight against Covid-19 has thus far proved Geneva's stature as one of the world's safest cities.
Geneva's emblematic Jet d'Eau in Lake Leman.. Kanokporn Chanasongkram
