The 5th edition of GENEVA WATCH DAYS commenced with great fanfare on August 30th, 2024, at the Rotonde du Mont Blanc in Geneva. Now in its third day, the event has brought together 52 participating brands and 15 official partners, marking a significant milestone in the world of horology.
The opening ceremony was graced by notable figures including Delphine Bachmann, State Councillor of the Canton of Geneva's Department of Economy and Employment, Alfonso Gomez, Administrative Councillor of the City of Geneva, and Christiana Kitsos, Mayor of the City.
This year's event boasts an impressive lineup of activities, including 10 free guided tours for the public, watch reviews of new products presented by participating brands, a conference on the theme of "Time and Machine," and a quiz and brunch to test attendees' watchmaking knowledge. These events are expertly led by specialists from the Fondation de la Haute Horlogerie (FHH).
A highlight of the event is the auction organized by Geneva Watch Days in collaboration with Phillips and Bacs & Russo, scheduled for Sunday, September 1st. Now in its second year, the auction aims to raise funds for deserving students at the Geneva School of Watchmaking through the newly-established Pierre Amstutz Fund.
The public pavilion, open every afternoon including weekends, showcases over 100 watches arranged across four themes. A new addition this year is the culture corner, featuring events organized by various horological institutions and organizations. Another exciting innovation is the Glass Box, a space adjacent to the main Pavilion. This area will host private breakfasts with CEOs of exhibiting brands, symposia on watchmaking topics, forums, and press conferences.
State Councillor Delphine Bachmann highlighted the event's significance, noting that it has become "the international showcase of Swiss watchmaking excellence," with exports expected to exceed 26.7 billion francs in 2023. Jean-Christophe Babin, President of the Geneva Watch Days Association and CEO of Bulgari, emphasized the event's spirit of supporting the industry while offering an informal and decentralized setting for brands to launch new products and engage with key stakeholders.
As this autumn's premier watchmaking event, Geneva Watch Days has firmly established itself on the shores of Lake Geneva, promising an unmissable experience for watch enthusiasts and industry professionals alike.
Geneva Watch Days 2024
Photos by GENEVA WATCH DAYS 2024
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