38 of the most prestigious watch brands gather for the biggest ever hybrid watch event

 

Watches and Wonders 2021 is open for the biggest watch event ever to take place online. The hybrid show includes a wealth of exceptional creations revealed by the 38 prestigious participating Maisons.

Watches and Wonders 2021 opens a for a particularly intense edition that puts watchmaking in the spotlight for over ten days.

The 2021 edition has two parts and it started today with a digital format in Geneva. The watchmaking fair is then moving over to Shanghai for an in-person Salon. For more than ten days, the eyes of the world will be on the creativity and expertise of the most prestigious names in watchmaking.

“Watches and Wonders has evolved into a comprehensive hub that encompasses brands, retailers, end customers, media and strategic distribution partners such as Net-A-Porter, Mr Porter and Alibaba’s Tmall Luxury Pavilion in China. Special campaigns featuring exclusive content will coincide with the Geneva and Shanghai events to engage audiences beyond the traditional watchmaking sphere.” – explained the organiser, Fondation de la Haute Horlogerie (FHH).

A gathering of the leading players in watchmaking worldwide, Watches and Wonders is set to become the standout event for 2021.

Getting this horological marathon under way, Watches and Wonders Geneva promises to be particularly intense with 38 participating brands – double last year – 400 presentations to retailers, over 40 keynotes, a daily live “Morning Show”, six panel discussions, also live each day, one-to one appointments, virtual tours and more. Another highlight of the event will be the 42 launches and other “breaking news” from the 38 participating brands. Expect some major announcements, new watch presentations and exclusive product reveals.

As the Fondation de la Haute Horlogerie notes, the global pandemic drained the blood from Baselworld, the biggest watchmaking and jewelry show, and pulled the rug on Geneva.

Unable to stem the haemorrhage, Baselworld closed its doors once and for all last year with no certainty, at the time of writing, as to whether it will find a way to rise, phoenix-like, from its ashes. As for Watches and Wonders, it too had to rethink its organisation, and fast. Cancelled in the wake of Covid-19, the 2020 edition was moved online in the form of a digital fair showcasing 30 brands. Later that year, the FHH did succeed in staging an in-person event, first in Shanghai then on the Chinese island resort of Hainan. When, between times, Chanel, Chopard, Patek Philippe, Rolex and Tudor announced that they would be relocating to Geneva, suddenly everything seemed possible. All eyes were on what promised to be an unprecedented gathering of brands in Geneva this year. Once again, hopes were dashed by the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Geneva will have to wait, which hasn’t prevented Watches and Wonders from gaining in size and substance while confirming its “phygital” format. Looking ahead, Geneva will assuredly be the physical epicentre of Watches and Wonders 2022. After two years away, expectations are high.

“Whether as S.I.H.H. or Watches and Wonders, the Geneva fair has never boasted such a powerful watch brand arsenal as it will this year, notes nytimes.com. But not everyone showed up. Beyond the close comforts of the fair collective, there’s a riot of high-profile brands vying for attention on their own.”

Some of the most interesting launches include:

Panerai Submersible eLAB-ID watch;
Ulysse Nardin Blast Hourstriker watch;
Louis Vuitton Tambour Carpe Diem;
Chopard Impériale Moonphase;
Montblanc 1858 Geosphere Limited Edition 1858;
Vacheron Constantin Armillary Tourbillon Perpetual Calendar — Planetaria watch;
Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Hybris Mechanica Calibre 185 ($1.65 million) timepiece;
Bulgari Octo Finissimo Perpetual Calendar watch;
Hublot Big Bang Integral Tourbillon Sapphire;
Piaget Limelight Gala;
Hermès H08 Graphene;
Cartier Tank Must watch;
IWC Big Pilot Perpetual Calendar;
Cartier Privé Cloche;
Roger Dubuis Excalibur Flying Tourbillon;
TAG Heuer Aquaracer Professional 300;
Tudor Black Bay Chrono;
Chanel J12 Electro Star;
A. Lange & Söhne Lange 1 Perpetual Calendar;
Nomos Glashütte Metro neomatik 41 Update.

Watchmaking puts on a “Morning Show”

Going out live every morning from April 8 to 13 at 8:00 CET, the 2021 edition launches with the first “Morning Show” on April 7th. Presented by Belle Donati, a primetime news anchor for major European networks, this is where industry experts and other prestigious guests will be giving their informed insight. Analyses, summaries, product
presentations, trend focuses, CEO interviews, expert views, panel discussions, highlights of the day and everything you need to know about watchmaking will be shared, live, each morning… not forgetting the “Minute LAB”, spotlight on the latest technology and innovations from the participating brands. No stone will be left unturned during these seven 40-minute shows, presented in English and simultaneously translated into simplified Chinese.

The public will be able to watch the “Morning Show” live on the watchesandwonders.com platform or catch up on the
Watches and Wonders YouTube channel and social media.

A platform for debate and discussion

Every day, from April 8 to 13 at 12:15 CET, influencers, brand leaders and watchmaking experts will discuss the
perspectives and challenges that lie ahead for the industry: How can watchmaking contribute to overcome resources
scarcity and generate a positive impact? What will be the lasting consequences of the global pandemic? What role
should technology and new materials play? What impact can blockchain have on watchmaking? All these subjects will be covered in six 40-minute discussions, streamed live on the platform, then available on replay for the public.