For its 30th edition in April 2020 in Geneva, the SIHH —Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie— makes the biggest change in its history. With a new format, new name, new dates and new audiences, SIHH becomes Watches & Wonders Geneva: an unprecedented concept, now in association with the City and the Canton of Geneva.Watches & Wonders: a name, a brand, a global concept.
The FHH has been working for the past three years on a plan to evolve its activities and associate brands to better align with the changing needs of their key audiences —watch manufacturers, retailers, media and end consumers— and the shifts taking place in the fine watchmaking world overall.
The FHH has announced today a re-brand of all their activities to become Watches & Wonders. Most significantly, this will include the SIHH. For 2020, it will look and feel different and will be called Watches & Wonders Geneva. It will include two distinct components: Watches & Wonders-The Salon, which refers to what traditionally has been referred to as SIHH at the Palexpo Convention Center, and Watches & Wonders-In The City, which will be a new component that takes place throughout the city of Geneva.
This year, for the first time ever, consumers will be allowed to attend Watches & Wonders-The Salon on any of the open days for a fee. In addition to new products being presented, W&W - The Salon will have an increased emphasis on conversation and content. There will be CEO presentations, panel discussions, workshops and expanded opportunities for learning and content creation.
Watches & Wonders- In the City will be entirely open to the public and free of charge. It will include a range of activities including exhibitions, walking tours, manufacture visits, along with museum open houses, conferences, and conversations with industry notables to immerse this event in the heart of Geneva.
Watches & Wonders Geneva is set to become the hallmark of watch fairs, a place for both professionals to meet and be inspired, and for the public to learn more about watchmaking and countless wonders.
“Because it's about more than watches, the name conveys a sense of wonder, excellence, openness and discovery; a different way to experience watchmaking. Watches & Wonders becomes the focal point for the exceptional talent, creativity and infinite innovation of the world's leading watch and jewellery maisons," announced Fabienne Lupo, Chairwoman and Managing Director of the Fondation de la Haute Horlogerie.
Watches & Wonders is a global concept that celebrates fine watchmaking worldwide, with Geneva as its first destination. From April 25th to 29th, 2020, Watches & Wonders Geneva will bring the entire international watch community together.
Since 1991, Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie —SIHH— has set the standard for watch fairs, offering the world’s leading retailers, journalists and VIP guests from around the world a level of service beyond compare. Already, recent editions have opened up to new audiences and created an authentic community of watch collectors and enthusiasts.Watches & Wonders Geneva continues this transformation with its arrival in Geneva’s city center, where “In the City” will engage all types of visitor —not just professionals. For the public, and young people in particular, this will be a first-ever opportunity to discover and experience watchmaking differently.
"SIHH's transformation into Watches & Wonders cements a crucial rapprochement with end customers and watch connoisseurs. For an artisan brand such as MB&F, this broader concept gives us a platform for reaching new audiences. We are very proud to be part of this project which begins in Geneva and extends around the world," commented Maximilian Büsser, CEO of MB&F.
The Salon, hosting some thirty of the most prestigious watch and jewellery maisons, will take place at Palexpo. More outward-looking, more experiential, more interactive and more connected, it will deliver a wealth of original content and experiences. This is also where exhibitors will give exclusive previews of their new collections to professionals, journalists, VIP guests and other enthusiasts. Building on the previous year's success, the Lab will showcase even more of the latest technological innovations from the exhibiting maisons, as well as from start-ups of interest to the industry.
The Live will offer world-first access to international product launches and exclusive announcements. Keynotes by influential speakers will complete the program.
"Hermès welcomes this ambition to open up the Salon. It gives a wider audience the opportunity to discover our exceptional watchmaking savoir-faire both in Geneva and internationally," declared Laurent Dordet, CEO of Hermès Watches.
For Patrick Pruniaux, CEO of Girard-Perregaux and Ulysse Nardin, In the City is "a fabulous opportunity to connect the magic and excitement of a temporary event with the powerful, permanent presence of the brands in the world capital of watchmaking, Geneva. As is the case with Ulysse Nardin, and its new lake-front boutique.
The prestige of Geneva is further enhanced by the constant innovation, in design and technique, of an industry whose products remain endlessly fascinating and highly desirable. "Already, Watches & Wonders is set to become the hallmark of excellence; a place for professionals to meet and be inspired, and for the public to learn more about, and marvel at, watchmaking and its countless wonders.”
Watches & Wonders Geneva will be held from April 25th thru the 29th in Geneva, followed immediately by Baselworld from April 30th to May 5th in Basel.
For more info on Watches & Wonders Geneva click here.
