With the success of their second edition, Geneva Watch Days is confirmed to be heading towards the 2022 edition. The third edition has been scheduled for the first few days of September 2022, and it will be accessible to any businesses wishing to participate.

Geneva Watch Days is a decentralized and self-managed multi-brand watch event during which you will discover brands' novelties in their individual showrooms.

Held amid the ups and downs of the pandemic did not prevent visitors from European countries and the Middle East from visiting Geneva Watch Days 2021, as did several North American clients and media who were physically present in Geneva.

The organizers confirmed that strict health and safety measures have been implemented. In addition to the standard requirements of social distancing, disinfectant gel, and masks, the Geneva Watch Days organization has set up a permanent station where participants can take the Covid antigen and PCR tests at their own expense upon arrival if they do not have a Covid vaccination certificate or a negative test result.

The Geneva Watch Days initiative was launched by a pool of Founding Benefactor Brands including Bvlgari, Breitling, De Bethune, Gerald Genta, Girard-Perregaux, H. Moser & Cie, MB&F, Ulysse Nardin and Urwerk, who have formed a non-profit association alongside Associated Brands: Arnold & Son, Bianchet, Charles Girardier, Czapek, Doxa, Ferdinand Berthoud, Frederique Constant Group, Greubel Forsey, Konstantin Chaykin, Louis Erard, Maurice Lacroix, Oris, Parmigiani Fleurier, Phillips in Association with Bacs & Russo, and Raketa and Reuge.

A major success since last year

The success of Geneva Watch Days 2020 has prompted the event's founders and related businesses to organize it again in 2021, with a very similar format: physical, global, decentralized, self-managed, and accessible to the public.

With 350 merchants and more than 300 journalists in attendance—a significant increase over 2020—this edition has sufficiently demonstrated the attention it generates among the watchmaking sector.

The Geneva Watch Days week revitalized the watchmaking event genre, bringing a breath of fresh air to the city. The show's 25 brands have unanimously decided to keep the operation going and maybe expand it, in keeping with the founding spirit that drives it: speed, flexibility, agility, and conviviality.

In addition to the increased numbers, the Pavilion on the Rotonde du Mont-Blanc was opened to the people of Geneva, who were able to attend numerous theme-based happenings during the day and learn about the participating firms' works.

The officially participating brands are particularly represented the watchmaking environment, allowing visitors to discover a diverse range of products from all segments of the industry.

Some of the event’s highlights were Breitling’s Super Chronomat B01 44, Bvlgari’s Octo Finissimo Perpetual Calendar Titanium, De Bethune’s DB25GMT Starry Varius, Girard-Perregaux’s Free Bridge, Legacy Machines’ LMX, H. Moser & Cie’s Pioneer Centre Seconds MEGA Cool, Ulysse Nardin’s Chronometry since 1846, and Urwerk by Baumgartner + Frei’s UR-100 TTH.

While the public could see the new products from the participating Maisons in 46 displays, as well as attend various daily presentations given by Phillips experts in collaboration with Bacs & Russo, on the Rotonde du Mont-Blanc.

Those things address the major issues affecting the watch industry today, as well as the problems it faces, such as digitization, distribution, and collecting. Visitors also got estimates on their own timepieces from the same specialists.

GWD Talks

The 2021 addition also held a series of panel discussions featuring watchmakers, journalists, and collectors. The GWD Talks, as they call it, was held by Geneva Watch Days and Phillips in Association with Bacs & Russo.

The discussions were designed to spark conversations between experts with different insights and experiences. Those talks focused on a variety of topics relevant to the industry and to watch enthusiasts. The panels were broadcasted live online and at the GWD Pavillon, including an audience Q&A.

You could still watch the panel discussions by accessing their website, gva-watch-days.com. Here are the panel's discussions topics that might be interesting for you.

The Thirst for Knowledge, Collaborations: How and Why Watchmakers Work Together; The Digital Revolution in Watchmaking; The Rise (and Rise) of the Independents; The Connection Between Car and Watch Collectors; Introduction To Watch Femme; What Women Want; Watchmaking and Italy; Millenials: The Next Generation of Watch Collectors; and Making Old New Again Moderator.