Going digital: Geneva's fine watch expo to showcase Rolex, Patek Philippe & Cartier timepieces virtually
Watches and Wonders was cancelled last year due to the pandemic.
By AFP |
Reuters
The HO8 model of Hermes is pictured during a media presentation at the Watches & Wonders in Geneva, Switzerland.
GENEVA: Geneva's international expo of fine watches opened Wednesday with an online 2021 edition before shifting next week to Shanghai, where the coronavirus is under control.
The fair, one of the major annual gatherings for luxury watchmakers, was cancelled last year due to the pandemic but is going ahead virtually this year.
The fine watchmaking fair will see brands present new products through online conferences and presentations.
Emmanuel Perrin, interim president of the Foundation High Horology, which organises the event, said it was important for the watch industry to maintain the salon, calling it "our Fashion Week, our Davos".
"It's been a tough year economically, in terms of business, for the whole industry," Perrin said in opening remarks, stressing that holding the expo online was "the right thing to do".
ADVERTISEMENT
Expert debates streamed live on the platform will include discussions on the lasting consequences of the pandemic, the role of new materials and technology and the impact that blockchain could have on watchmaking.
File photo of September 30, 2015: Hugh Jackman attends the Montblanc press conference during the Watches and Wonders 2015 Exhibition in Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre in Wan Chai district. The watch industry is Switzerland's third-largest export sector. It has been hit hard by the Covid-19 crisis, with boutiques closing due to restrictions to control the spread of the virus, and the collapse of the tourism industry on which the luxury sector depends.
In 2020, Swiss watch exports fell by 21.8 percent to 17 billion Swiss francs ($18.6 billion, 15.8 billion euros) compared with the previous year, according to figures from the watchmaking federation.
ADVERTISEMENT
Exports plunged by 81.3 percent in April 2020 before gradually recovering from August onwards.
China remained the only growth market among major destinations for Swiss watchmakers, with exports up 20 percent, while Chinese consumer purchases have shifted to local stores due to travel restrictions.
ADVERTISEMENT
While Europe struggles to tame the pandemic, the salon's online edition, running until April 13, will feature 38 different brands.
The physical version in Shanghai, from April 14 to 18, will feature 19 brands.
It's Time For A New Watch: 5 Sleek Timepieces That Will Take Your Breath Away
1/6
A good watch never goes out of style. Here are some of the coolest new timepieces launched.
A good watch never goes out of style. Here are some of the coolest new timepieces launched.
IWC has created a pilot’s watch to honour the record-breaking flight of Steve Boultbee Brooks and Matt Jones, who during the second half of 2019 circumnavigated the world in a Spitfire for the first time in the history of aviation. This version of the Big Pilot’s Watch in the Spitfire design has a green dial and a case made of bronze, a material which develops a unique patina over time.
IWC has created a pilot’s watch to honour the record-breaking flight of Steve Boultbee Brooks and Matt Jones, who during the second half of 2019 circumnavigated the world in a Spitfire for the first..
Read More
Seiko’s two creations in the Presage collection won high acclaim from watch lovers worldwide for their Arita porcelain dials back in March 2019. Today, a new Presage creation features another Arita porcelain dial whose design is inspired by the Japanese tradition of Suigetsu, which celebrates the beauty of the moon when it is reflected in water. This limited edition watch is 10 bar water resistant and is presented on a crocodile strap with a blue tone that echoes the color of lakes.
Seiko’s two creations in the Presage collection won high acclaim from watch lovers worldwide for their Arita porcelain dials back in March 2019. Today, a new Presage creation features another Arita p..
Read More
Bovet has launched the Récital 26 Brainstorm® Chapter Two – a double-face flying tourbillon, world time with indexable second-time zone, moon phase, and five days’ power reserve. This piece has a writing slope case entirely made of sapphire. Selected for its crystalline transparency, sapphire is, moreover, the second hardest material known after diamond and, a little known fact, it is lighter than titanium.
Bovet has launched the Récital 26 Brainstorm® Chapter Two – a double-face flying tourbillon, world time with indexable second-time zone, moon phase, and five days’ power reserve. This piece has a wri..
Read More
Audemars Piguet unveils three new versions of the Royal Oak Offshore Selfwinding Chronograph. Each model includes a new dial design, black ceramic case and textured rubber strap. The new Royal Oak Offshore collection offers a choice of smoked blue, green or grey dials, each incorporating the Manufacture’s “Mega Tapisserie” pattern and new Arabic numerals which supplant the customary applied hour-markers.
Audemars Piguet unveils three new versions of the Royal Oak Offshore Selfwinding Chronograph. Each model includes a new dial design, black ceramic case and textured rubber strap. The new Royal Oak Of..
Read More
Tissot has amped-up one of its most coveted collection of Seastar watches by adding deep red and navy blue colors to its emerald green variant. The design combines elegance and sportsmanship and the Tissot Seastar 1000 Powermatic 80 is extremely accurate owing to its Powermatic 80 movement. The watch offers 80-hour power reserve. The new variants of the Tissot Seastar flaunt a retro look featuring a Milanese mesh bracelet and black silicon strap.
Tissot has amped-up one of its most coveted collection of Seastar watches by adding deep red and navy blue colors to its emerald green variant. The design combines elegance and sportsmanship and the ..
Business News › Magazines › Panache › Going digital: Geneva's fine watch expo to showcase Rolex, Patek Philippe & Cartier timepieces virtuallyText Size:AAA
