For its fourth edition from 29 August through 2 September, Geneva Watch Days attracted 8,000 visitors and brought together some 40 brands to unveil their new products to 600 journalists and 300 retailers. With more content, more footfall and yet remaining as convivial as ever, the formula has turned a corner and is becoming increasingly popular. On the initiative of GMT and WorldTempus, a daily TV show summarised each day (see here).
For Georges Kern, CEO of Breitling, "we need to maintain the informal culture, which is what participants appreciate" and he feels it’s important for the event to remain a "friendly and pleasant moment where small brands can express themselves". He is nonetheless well aware of the stakes involved in its ongoing development: "With more brands, however, we'll need more infrastructure...".
Patrick Pruniaux, CEO of Ulysse Nardin and Girard-Perregaux, is also pleased that the original values have been maintained: "The GWDs are continuing to grow in strength and professionalism, while retaining their initial spirit, while with the participation of the FHH and the GPHG, they have become more unifying. He also emphasizes "the quality of the exchanges and this impression that the whole industry is moving in the same direction."
This feeling of goodwill is shared by Maximilian Büsser, CEO of MB&F, who still appreciates " the great atmosphere that has remained unchanged changed, even though the event has grown a lot. It's an event presented by enthusiasts for enthusiasts". But where we work! "Clearly, the number of brands present, but above all the number of visitors, has taken a huge leap forward. This was a truly magnificent 2023 edition!”
A shot of energy
It's the same story at Urwerk, whose co-founder Félix Baumgartner said: "The GWDs are now both desired and eagerly anticipated. With journalists, customers, retailers and even simple enthusiasts, we all make the effort to get together for five days to celebrate fine watchmaking". For him, "it's a bit like our energy shot: we get out of our workshops, meet others and share ideas".
Pierre Jacques, CEO of De Bethune, also appreciates the community aspect of the autumn event, and is delighted "to be able to swap ideas with passionate people, collectors, partners and journalists. Each brand has its own autonomy and it's a perfect format somewhere between SIAR (trade fair held in Mexico) and Dubai Watch Week".
Above and beyond the unavoidable commercial nature of the show, Edouard Meylan, CEO of H. Moser & Cie, emphasizes "the variety of the program, with guided tours, symposia and other talks and meetings, which attracts and appeals to an ever-increasing number of visitors. The auction organized by Phillips, under the expert hammer of Aurel Bacs, was the highlight of this edition, which is becoming more professional yet without losing its warm character".
2024 already on the horizon
The initiator of Geneva Watch Days in 2020, Bulgari CEO Jean-Christophe Babin now sees it as "a unique forum for ideas, involving the public, collectors and partners such as the GPHG, the FHH and the Geneva Chamber of Commerce". He sees it as "a major and unmissable institutional event in the world of fine watchmaking, perfectly complementing Watches and Wonders". For the next edition, he expects a dozen more brands to be present, states that "the official support of the Canton could be intensified" and wishes to "thank the State Council and Delphine Bachmann in particular for their extraordinary support".
The fifth edition is already mobilizing and motivating people, including Felix Baumgartner who feels that "we could further develop the fun and educational side of this event, as well as emphasizing the importance of Geneva as a watchmaking capital. We are fortunate to be able to showcase the full range of creativity in our field”. As for Max Büsser, he hopes "that the Richemond Hotel will finally open and thus enable many more brands to be present within the actual hub of the event."
