April 12, 2024 |
One of the globe’s most prestigious watch fairs, Watches and Wonders, has officially opened its doors for its 2024 edition. Located in the Swiss capital of Geneva and spread across two locations – the Salon and the wider city – the event runs from April 9 to 15 and hosts a record of 55 of the most established maisons known to the timepiece industry. This year, prominent exhibitors such as Rolex, Cartier, Patek Philippe and Tag Heuer are joined by faces fresh to Watches and Wonders, such as luxury British watchmaker Bremont.
With a distinct focus on visitor experience, access to the general public has been extended, with watch fans welcome to come and interact with the houses in the Salon for three full days from Saturday to Monday. Spaces have also been expanded, with the fair now spanning across two floors, with even more venues to host the plethora of meetings and discussions that occur across its duration.
This year’s fair also sports a range of special features primed to enhance the experience of its inquisitive horophiles. A space titled ‘The Lab’ is set up to highlight the technological innovations occurring across the industry, whilst the ‘In The City’ program spills over into the further corners of Geneva, with a new ‘Village Horloger’ that houses exhibitions and workshops perfect for immersing yourself in the wondrous world of horology. On April 11, fans were treated to a free concert hosted on the Quai Général-Guisan, a stellar display of the city’s beauty on the banks of La Rade.
Aimed at industry professionals, enthusiasts and connoisseurs as well as the broadening band of young watch fans, Watches and Wonders is a unique chance to appreciate the remarkable craftsmanship and stellar innovation that contributes to the contemporary watch industry. Here, Team 10 have broken down some of the best exhibitors and what they’re treating attendees to at this year’s edition of Watches and Wonders. Bella Koopman
Tag Heuer
A particular standout from the Tag Heuer camp is the Monaco Split-Seconds Chronograph. Housed within a reimagination of the Swiss brand’s iconic square Monaco silhouette, the new iteration features an extremely rare rattrapante feature. Also referred to as a split-seconds chronograph, the exceptional feature includes two stopwatch mechanisms, allowing the wearer to capture and compare two separate events simultaneously. An exquisite display of craftsmanship, the Monaco Split-Seconds Chronograph is not one to miss.
Also on display is the Carrera Collection, starting with the Carrera Chronograph, an elegant timepiece with a vintage edge that features a panda dial and updated Heuer 02 movement. More feminine designs are available for perusal in the form of the Carrera Chronograph Skipper, crafted from 18-karat rose gold and Carrera Date, which is made from the same fine material but features diamonds and decadent mother-of-pearl detailing. BK
Van Cleef & Arpels
The creativity and design prowess Van Cleef & Arpels are bringing to this year’s fair is outstanding. Particular highlights include the Lady Jour Nuit and Lady Arpels Jour Nuit, two celestial layouts that feature the cycle of the sun and moon through rotating discs and dials. An indomitable display of intricate design, it’s a must-see for any fans of thematic watches done in the most beautiful way. The Extraordinary Dials collection is also available for eyes that wish to feast, with a series of limited-edition timepiece that can be likened to works of art as they portray stories of romance and nature through vivid tableaux and three-dimensional scenes. BK
Chanel
As a true titan of the high fashion world, its no surprise that luxury french maison Chanel is bringing the same elevated standard of creation to Watches and Wonders as it does to its Paris runways. Pushing themes of romance and boldness, the house is featuring products like the J12 X-Ray Pink Edition Watch, an 18-karat beige gold silhouette featuring baguette-cut pink sapphires. For a more monochromatic style, the Monsieur Superleggera Intense Black Edition is also available, embracing the sleekness of the world’s best race cars through its black calfskin leather trim and lining. BK
Hermès
Hermès is an exhibitor making history at this year’s edition of Watches and Wonders. With its new Hermès Cut collection, it marks the first women’s watch offering created in house by the French brand in the last two decades. With a distinct focus on geometric shapes, the design features applied Arabic numerals and is powered by a Manufacture Hermès H1912 movement which is a self-winding calibre. Sporting an effortlessly sleek metal bracelet, customers also have the option of swapping out the band for a sportier rubber strap. Available in eight colourways drawn from the house’s traditional palette, this interchangeable system gives the watch a certain versatility not available in most luxury timepieces. BK
Rolex
A mammoth within the timepiece sphere, Rolex’s contribution to Watches and Wonders is nothing short of exceptional. A particular highlight from the Geneva-based house is its oyster offering, starting with the Oyster Perpetual Day-Date. With three distinct dial variations – ombré, blue-green and mother-of-pearl – the exquisite timepiece sports Roman numerals as hourly markets, with a bezel set with trapeze-cut diamonds to boot. The Oyster Perpetual Rolex Deepsea is also on offer, the first deep-sea divers’ watch from the luxury house, created from 18-karat yellow gold and featuring a blue ceramic compression ring. BK
Patek Philippe
Among the highlights for Patek Philippe watches, was the debut of the world’s first World Time watch featuring a synchronised date display, setting a new standard in watchmaking precision and functionality. The Golden Ellipse line also made a striking return with the introduction of a luxurious chain-style bracelet, marrying elegance with unparalleled comfort. The brand showcased a spectrum of refined updates across its collections, including travel watches, calendar watches and sporty models, exemplifying Patek Philippe’s commitment to evolving classic designs with modern flair. Two significant advancements were announced for the prestigious Patek Philippe Seal, elevating quality standards even higher.
This wave of innovation was further complemented by the extension of the international warranty for new watches to five years, solidifying Patek Philippe’s dedication to customer satisfaction and the long-term reliability of its masterpieces. These developments underscore Patek Philippe’s continued leadership in luxury watchmaking, merging tradition with cutting-edge craftsmanship for the discerning connoisseur. Beth Darroch
Piaget
Piaget celebrates its 150th anniversary at Watches and Wonders this year with the revival of iconic watches from its archive. This includes reintroducing groundbreaking cuff watches and Swinging Sautoir pieces originally introduced in 1969, along with the precious Aura watch from 1989. The maison’s artisans blend a daring artistic vision with material mastery, bringing these treasures into the 21st century with certifiable elegance and ingenuity. Highlights from Piaget’s presentation include new versions of its Swinging Sautoirs, some of which are transformable for wrist-wear, featuring handcrafted details and rare gemstones. The Hidden Treasures cuff also showcases a black opal dial within a hand-twisted gold chain cuff, reflecting Piaget’s bold design approach.
Since 1874, Piaget has epitomised daring creativity, evolving from precision watchmaking to pioneering high jewellery. Its master artisans continue to transform gold, stones, and gems into dazzling works of art across iconic collections like Altiplano, Piaget Polo, and Limelight Gala. BD
