If Switzerland is the land of punctuality, then Geneva is its undisputed capital. From April 14 to 20, 2026, the city’s watchmaking heritage is coming to life at Watches and Wonders for a week of initiatives celebrating craftsmanship and innovation.
This year’s edition is set to bring new milestones to the salon’s esteemed reputation, with 11 new brands joining in on the action and an exciting partnership with the Montreux Jazz Festival. Live concerts by jazz ensembles, talent showcases and an overall warm, intimate atmosphere will set the pace for a week of rhythm and creative excellence.
While the music events will mostly take place inside a brand-new location on Quai Général-Guisan, the Watchmaking Village will take up residence in the Pont de la Machine building, where visitors will be introduced to the art of watchmaking through workshops and career panels organised by the Swiss Watchmaking Industry Employers’ Association (CP). The new LAB redesigned space will also showcase a selection of around 15 new start-up projects exploring sustainability and social impact in the watchmaking world.
There is a plethora of surprises in store for visitors of all ages, from animations and presentations by exhibiting brands in their boutiques to an installation organised in collaboration with the ECAL (University of Art and Design based in Lausanne) and their talented students. Last year, 25 per cent of tickets sold were for under-25 visitors – a visible testament to Watches and Wonders’ dialogue with new generations of horologists and watch-enthusiasts all around. This year’s programme even features new hands-on workshops for children and initiatives to meet apprentices.
Got time for more? The Wake Up! exhibition is showcasing rare horological pieces from the Musée d’Art et d’Histoire de Genève (MAH) – a time-travelling journey through the eras of horology.
With nearly 55,000 visitors from 125 different nationalities filling the salon last year and over 6,000 international retailers travelling to the city this April, this year’s edition is shaping up to be a dazzling highlight that should not be missed. Online ticket sales are now open, get yours here.
Photography courtesy of Watches and Wonders.
