The 2022 go-to exhibition for timepiece enthusiasts is happening in Geneva, Switzerland. New launches, creative ideas, and futuristic manufacturing techniques of spectacular watches will be on display. But what happens at Watches and Wonders 2022?
Watches and Wonders is an expo showcasing all that the world of timepieces has to offer. Top watch brands like Cartier, Montblanc, Rolex, and many more will exhibit their latest creations and limited offerings. Only selected guests from around the globe will be invited to attend this extravaganza.
Read on to discover what happens at Watches and Wonders 2022, peak into a few new watch launches, and what to expect inside the halls.
Watches And Wonders 2022 Overview
The Watches and Wonders trade show is globally the biggest and best watch industry extravaganza, and it will be fit to host in the memorizing city of Geneva. The “who” of the watch industry will be present to showcase their new models, and there will be plenty of up-and-coming watch brands wanting to make their mark on the industry.
The 2022 Watches and Wonders will undoubtedly go all out after a two-year hiatus due to the covid pandemic. Now that it’s back, it will exceed all expectations!
Watches And Wonders 2022 Attendance
The trade show’s return should see more than 22,000 visitors entering the Palexpo building, where the 38 leading brands will display their new and best designs. Digital and social media will broadcast to over 300 million viewers during this period. Watches and Wonders is definitely the place to be if you seek brand exposure.
Can The Public Attend Watches And Wonders?
Watches and Wonders is unfortunately not open to the public. Instead, it is an event that is per invitation only. The invitees will be amongst the top watch collectors, top customers, and watch outlets. The media will have a free pass to document the entire event on social media and selected channels.
Where Does Watches And Wonders 2022 Take Place?
Watches and Wonders take place at the Palexpo in Geneva, Switzerland. The location is close to the Geneva International airport and star-rated hotels, making traveling easy for all international travelers. The Palexpo consists of 7 halls with 102,000 square meters of exhibition space. The venue can accommodate 18,400 visitors and was opened in 1981.
Watches And Wonders 2022 Brands
The following Brands have reserved space for exhibiting at Watches and Wonders 2022:
- Lange & Söhne
- Baume & Mercier
- Cartier
- Chanel
- Chopard
- Grand Seiko
- Hermès
- Hublot
- IWC Schaffhausen
- Jaeger-LeCoultre
- Montblanc
- Oris
- Panerai
- Parmigiani Fleurier
- Patek Philippe
- Piaget
- Roger Dubuis
- Rolex
- TAG Heuer
- Tudor
- Ulysse Nardin
- Vacheron Constantin
- Van Cleef & Arpels
- Zenith
Le Carré des Horlogers (the section of the show dedicated to independent and niche watchmakers) will gather the following brands:
- Angelus
- Armin Strom
- Arnold & Son
- Cyrus Genève
- Czapek & Cie
- Ferdinand Berthoud
- H. Moser & Cie.
- Laurent Ferrier
- Louis Moinet
- Rebellion Timepieces
- Ressence
- Rudis Sylva
- Speake-Marin
- Trilobe.
Watches And Wonders Exclusives
Watches and wonderers will showcase “The Lab.” The Lab will showcase all the new and creative innovative projects being undertaken in the world of Horology. The theme will be based on Innovation and sustainability in the watch sector and a look into the future. There will be a complimentary bar where a visitor can enjoy a refreshing drink.
The Proposed Exhibitors At The Lab For 2022 Are?
- Baume & Mercier / Sustainability
- Chopard / Sustainability
- IWC Schaffhausen / Innovation & Sustainability
- Louis Moinet / Innovation
- Michelangelo Foundation / Culture
- Montblanc / Innovation
- Oris / Sustainability
- Panerai / Sustainability
- Rebellion Timepieces / Innovation
- Ulysse Nardin / Sustainability
Time Design At Watches And Wonders
Time Design will present over 100 timepieces and will take you down a journey of all the forms and shapes that have been mastered throughout time. The exhibition will pay tribute to the masterful works from designer Mr. Gérald Genta.
What to do when arriving at watches and wonders 2022?
Watches and Wonders hospitality staff will be positioned at the airport to welcome all visitors to the beautiful city of Geneva. The hospitality staff will be on hand to assist with all travel and related questions. There will be a shuttle service that will run from the airport to the Palexpo and surrounding hotels. If you are taking other modes of transport, follow the following guide.
- Access and Transport: The Geneva Palexpo is a 10-minute commute from the city center.
- By Train: Take the Geneva Cornavin Station to the Geneva Airport Terminus route.
- By Bus: Board the TPG BUS on line 5. The bus will stop at the Palexpo center every two hours
- By Car: Take the A1 Motorway and exit at the “Genève Aéroport” and follow the detailer road signs for the Palexpo.
- Parking Facilities: The P12 car park is a pay and display lot situated under hall 5 at Palexpo. The parking will be available 24 hours during the event.
Welcome Desk
The welcome desk will be open from 8am to 7pm and will be staffed with multilingual staff to assist all visitors. This is where all invitees will receive their access permits. A self-help printer will be available for visitors to print their passes that have been filled out online, so keep your QR code handy.
There will be an information desk that can assist visitors with the expo layout and the events that will be taking place. The desk will provide helpful information about the city and have available train schedules, street maps, and flight times.
- Luggage Facilities. A luggage storage facility will be available where all excess bags and coats can be kept free of charge. These facilities will be available at entrances 1 and 4.
- Available Workspace: These will be designated workspace provided for visitors. The space will have internet access and will be situated across from the L’Entre-Deux restaurant.
- Press Lounge: Two press lounges will be available for the journalists who want to conduct interviews. There will be standing tables and a lounge area available.
- Conciergerie: A Concierge service will be located at the Information points. Hospitality staff will gladly source recommendations and be on hand with helpful information. They will assist visitors with bookings ensuring they have a wonderful Geneva experience.
Bars and restaurants
Bars and restaurants will serve a selection of delicious food from around the globe along the central aisle at this event. Although hot and cold beverages and other meals will be available to guests, reservations for these meals will be essential.
- L’Entre-Deux is reserved strictly for the press and will be located opposite the press lounge.
- Le Rendez-vous is reserved strictly for guests and will be located across from Ulysee Nardin in the Salon area.
- La Table is a privet restaurant that will cater to guests by private invitation only.
- Caffetino will be located on the terrace and serve Italian-style coffee from a Barista. This will be a complementary service that will be offered by Watches and Wonders.
Will There Be Other Watch Expos During Watches And Wonders 2022?
Watches and Wonders is the main attraction at the Palexpo center. Still, four other venues around Geneva will host viewings during this week. They are:
Time To Watches
Time To Watches will host 40 exhibition brands at the Head, Geneva. The Head is one of the city’s Lakeside hotels and offers spectacular accommodations and restaurants. Time To Watches is dedicated to the smaller watch brand but will entertain some high-end independent watchmakers. Booking for Time To Watches will be essential and can be made at this hotel lobby.
Exhibiting Brands At Time To Watches Are:
Corum, Sinn, Louis Erard, Réservoir, Chronoswiss, Raketa, L’Epée, Charles Girardier, Pierre de Roche, Frédéric Jouvenot, Cuervo Y Sobrinos, Pequignet, Perrelet, Leroy, Vulcain, Anonimo, Milus, Mauron Musy, Behrens, DoppelGanger, ID Genève, Clockers, Tonino Lamborghini, XRLoy, Initium, Wolf, Swiss Kubik and Scatola del Temp
Exhibiting Brands at Time to the Future are:
Bernies Watches, Kauri Watches, Khemea Horlogerie, Lundis Bleus Horlogerie Indépendante, Narbel&Co, Rogé Bastide Horlogerie Française, Skill Watches, Timenest Swiss Watch Cases and Vanessa Lecci Atelier
Barton 7
Barton 7 is the Indie watchmaker’s expo which will take place at the Espace Fert. The Espace Fert is located next to the Fairmont Hotel in Geneva. This show is much smaller than the other watch expos happening around the city. Still, it offers a unique glimpse Into the eye of small independent watchmakers worldwide.
Exhibiting Brands At Barton 7 Are:
Singer Reimagined, Schwarz-Etienne, Depancel, Ikepod, Genus, Le Rhone, Blaken, Bianchet
Masters Of Horology
The Masters Of Horology exhibition will be hosted by the AHCI (Académie Horlogère des Créateurs Indépendants). This exhibition will display independent watches and clockmakers from around Switzerland. The Masters of Horology will take place at the picturesque L’iceburgues Hotel in Geneva.
Exhibiting Brands At Masters Of Horology Are:
Aaron Becsei, Konstantin Chaykin, Svend Andersen, David Candaux, Ludovic Ballouard, Vianney Halter, Raul Pages, John-Mikael Flaux, Daizoh Makihara, Kari Voutilainen, Felix Baumgartner (Urwerk), Miki Eleta, Alessandro Rigotto, Robert Bray, Florian Schlumpf, Bernhard Lederer, Marco Lang, Stefan Kudoke, Sebastian Naeschke, Sebastien Billieres, Anton Suhanov, Sylvain Pinaud, Machiel Hulsman
What New Watches will be Launched at Watches and Wonders 2022?
There have been numerous predictions on what watches will be launched at Watches and Wonders. Here are a few new watch launches to look out for in the future.
H Moser Streamliner “Blacker than Black”
The Blackest watch ever made was the theme for the “Blacker than Black” Streamliner watch from independent watchmaker H Moser & Cie. The watch will feature a Vantablack black coating. This is the darkest man-made material ever produced, with a light absorption rate of 99.96%.
H Moser & Cie were required to get a one-of-a-kind license to produce this black watch with Vantablack. This watch is undoubtedly worth seeing!
TAG Heuer Carrera Plasma
TAG Heuer is launching the world’s first chronograph to adorn Lab-grown diamonds. The Carrera Plasma will have a total of 4.8 carats of diamonds grown by their lab into nearly impossible shapes and implementations. The winding crown is made from a single lab diamond. The Carrera Plasma is sure to dazzle all who beholds it!
Rolex Left-Handed GMT Master II
Eagerly the most anticipated debut at Watches and Wonders 2022 comes from Rolex, which will introduce a left-given form of everything time exemplary. The GMT Master II travel watch resembles a topsy turvy Rolex.
That is because the winding/setting crown is changed from its standard right-hand side of the case to the left. Similar, the date window is also on the left side. This unconventional exchange of sides might seem like not a problem, yet it’s harder to achieve than one could envision.
For instance, moving the crown includes turning the instrument inside the watch 180 degrees. The whole cycle comprises significantly more than squeezing the “flip” button on the plan drawings
Arnold & Son Ultrathin Tourbillon Platinum
The Ultrathin Tourbillon Platinum is a very anticipated timepiece that will be on show at Watches and Wonders. This watch was created using a new manufacturing technique called ‘Cosmic Grené,’ using sparkles with gold powder to create a shimmering texture.
Time is displayed through a sub-dial at the 12 position. At the 6 position is a circular window, which shows a glimpse of the moving mechanism of the watch. The transparent case-back showcases more of the movement. Only 28 Ultrathin Tourbillon Platinum will be produced.
Montblanc 1858 Geosphere Chronograph 0 Oxygen LE290
The First 1858 from Montblanc, to feature a chronograph function, will be launched at Watches and wonders 2022. The 44mm satin-brushed titanium casing will make the watch incredibly lightweight and resilient.
The unique new feature for this 1858 is that all the oxygen has been sucked out of the movement before it is tightly sealed. This is said to ensure zero fog or oxidation on the Gratté Boisé dial. A total of 290 Montblanc 1858 Geosphere 0 Oxygen LE290 will be fashioned, each with a zero-oxygen certificate.
Czapek & Cie Antarctique Rattrapante Ice Blue
The Ice Blue will be the new edition to the Czapek & Cie Antarctique Rattrapante exclusive collection. This open-worked split-second blue chronograph timepiece comes with blue hands over the metallic-grey dial’s components.
There is a blue effect on the minute track and two subdials with a 30-minute totalizer and the seconds’ display. The movement will have 49 jewels and 292 components and a power reserve of up to 60 hours.
Conclusion
Watches and Wonders is the ultimate watch enthusiasts exhibition held in Geneva, Switzerland. The limited invited guests who attend this extravagant expo will be the first to see new timepiece launches from well-known exclusive brands from around the globe.
References
- https://monochrome-watches.com/news-your-defenitive-guide-to-watches-and-wonders-geneva-2022-and-watch-week-geneva/
- https://www.fratellowatches.com/watches-and-wonders-2022-wrap-up-and-highlights-from-rolex-tudor-patek-philippe-cartier-and-more/#gref
- https://www.watchesandwonders.com/en/geneva-2022/event