In the Pavilion, there will be 8 free guided tours for the general public, watch reviews of the new products presented by the participating brands, a conference on the theme of "Time and Machine", and a quiz and brunch to test your watchmaking knowledge. All led by experts from the Fondation de la Haute Horlogerie (FHH). In addition, Geneva Watch Days, with Phillips in association with Bacs & Russo, will be holding an auction for the second year running on Sunday 1 September to raise funds to support deserving students enrolled at the Geneva School of Watchmaking, via the newly-created Pierre Amstutz Fund.
And of course, the pavilion is open to the public every afternoon, including weekends. More than 100 watches are on display, organised into 4 themes. In addition, a new culture corner has been set up, featuring events organised by the FHH, the Geneva Watchmaking Grand Prix, the Watch Library, Horopedia, the Geneva Watchmaking School and the New York Watchmaking Society. The pavilion welcomed 8,000 visitors last year, a figure that is sure to soar this year.
Another new feature this year is the Glass Box. This new space, adjacent to the Pavilion in the Rotonde du Mont-Blanc, will host three private breakfasts with the CEOs of the exhibiting brands, eight symposia on watchmaking topics, four forums and eight press conferences given by the participating brands.
"The boldness of the Geneva Watch Days has been proven time and time again. The event has steadily grown in size and prestige, returning each year to the idyllic setting of the harbour. Today, it is the international showcase of Swiss watchmaking excellence, with exports expected to exceed 26.7 billion francs in 2023. Nearly half of these exports come from Geneva, which is extremely pleasing for our canton's economy," comments Delphine Bachmann, State Councillor for the Economy and Employment.
"Supporting the industry, offering brands an informal and decentralised setting in which to launch their new products, meeting the key players in the industry - the media and retailers - but above all the general public, that's the spirit of Geneva Watch Days. Born during the pandemic following the cancellation of the watch fairs, this event has endured, grown dramatically and become more institutionalised. It's not a trade show, but a major, inclusive and festive event that celebrates watchmaking," added Jean-Christophe Babin, President of the Geneva Watch Days Association and CEO of Bulgari.
This autumn's not-to-be-missed watchmaking event is now firmly established on the shores of Lake Geneva. Not to be missed!
