From 27 March to 2 April, the Watches and Wonders 2023 Salon will open its doors.
The first days are reserved for business visitors, while the general public is expected on 1 and 2 April, when they can take a journey into the heart of time. Visitors will be able to discover the novelties that the 48 watch brands and manufacturers will be unveiling.
For the first time this year, Watches and Wonders will also take place ‘In the City’ with the whole of Geneva humming to the rhythm of watch movements for a whole week. The major watch stores on Rue du Rhône and Rues Basses will also open their doors In the City in order to unveil special designs, ornate pieces and rare watch complications during an orchestrated rally.
Each of the participating brands’ boutiques has planned specific activities to welcome visitors and showcase their expertise. A special evening event dedicated to watchmaking will be held in the Rues Basses on Thursday, 30 March from 5 to 9 pm. This will be an opportunity to be drawn into the world of watchmaking, amidst concerts, street entertainment and artists. Those who wish to prolong the experience can attend the talks on ‘Geneva and watchmaking’ at the Pont de la Machine. This venue will also serve as an information centre throughout the week.
More than just a trade show, Watches and Wonders will offer an extensive programme of talks specially organised for the general public on 1 and 2 April. Around six talks and discussion panels will be held each day in the Auditorium. Experts and speakers have been lined up to analyse watch trends, explain what makes a watch valuable, or how to start a vintage watch collection. Other subjects such as the metaverse, NFTs, blockchain and circularity will be discussed.
The Salon will also host the ‘What time is it?’ photographic exhibition presented by Karine Bauzin and investigating our relationship with time and how it is perceived. This Swiss press photographer asked people she met in 20 different countries ‘What time is it?’. Their answer can be summed up in one hand gesture, the same one repeated all over the world and which watchmakers themselves used when they invented the wristwatch. It took her ten years to complete this ethnographic work.
Online ticketing opens on 1 February at noon on the watchesandwonders.com platform.
Exhibiting Brands: A. Lange & Söhne | Alpina | Angelus | Arnold & Son | Baume & Mercier | Beauregard | Bell & Ross | Cartier | Chanel | Charles Zuber | Charriol | Chopard | Chronoswiss | Cyrus | Czapek | Ferdinand Berthoud | Frederique Constant | Grand Seiko | Grönefeld | Hautlence | Hermès | Hublot | Hysek | IWC Schaffhausen | Jaeger-LeCoultre | Kerbbedanz | Laurent Ferrier | Louis Moinet | Montblanc | Oris | Panerai | Parmigiani Fleurier | Patek Philippe | Pequignet | Piaget | Rebellion Timepieces | Ressence | Roger Dubuis | Rolex | Rudis Sylva | Speake Marin | Tag Heuer | Trilobe | Tudor | U-boat | Ulysse Nardin | Vacheron Constantin | Van Cleef & Arpels | Zenith