Watches & Wonders: It's Showtime!
Watches & Wonders: It's Showtime!
The gates of the Palexpo site opened this morning for this year's Watches & Wonders. The 60 watch brands can now finally present what they have been working on for the past few months.
And at least on the exhibitor side and in terms of the supporting programme, it will be more colourful and diverse than before. This means: more brands, more innovations, more activities for experts, watch enthusiasts, retailers and journalists from all over the world.
Preview of new products:
Nomos Glassworks Ressence Frederique Constant Bremont Alpina Oris Angelus Piaget MasterSinger Speake Marin Armin Strom Gerald Charles Chronoswiss Hyt
Tours, product presentations, quizzes, hands-on workshops, meetings with experts, watchmakers and artisans ... nobody will be bored. Be it in the Palexpo halls themselves or at the "In The City" evening on 3 April with shops open until 9 pm and the Bon-Entendeur concert on the Quai Général-Guisan. In addition, the Time to Watches in the Villa Sarasin on the Palexpo site.
"Everyone should have the opportunity to experience something unique. Watches & Wonders Geneva is all about contact and emotions, and we are committed to promoting this," says Cyrille Vigneron, President of the Watches & Wonders Geneva Foundation.
Young people in the spotlight
Whether they are looking for an apprenticeship, a career or are simply interested in watchmaking - young people will take centre stage at this year's Watches & Wonders with a view to the future of the craft and the industry. Visitors can meet apprentices from various brands and discover the student projects presented in the LAB.
This area is dedicated to innovation and brings together brands, start-ups and schools around projects by young people for young people.
In the watch village on the Pont de la Machine, younger visitors can also experience watchmaking and jewellery workshops, find out about training courses and watch the live broadcast of the SwissSkills 2025 qualifications for microtechnology professions from Palexpo.
Discover time differently
In the Salon, Geneva photographer Fred Merz's exhibition "Longitude 0°" takes visitors along the famous Greenwich Meridian to discover some of its physical markers and share unique anecdotes from local residents.
In the auditorium, the extensive conference programme explores unknown watchmaking talents and professions, the role of women in watchmaking, the challenges and prospects of the second-hand watch market and the efforts to have the art and mechanics of watchmaking included in UNESCO's intangible cultural heritage.
The extensive range of free cultural events in the "In The City" programme also help to broaden the view of watchmaking. The Payot bookshop, for example, offers the opportunity to meet the Geneva historian Gérard Duc, the well-known Geneva author Max Lobe and the Swiss crime stars Nicolas Feuz and Marc Voltenaeur.
These events aim to create new links between the art of watchmaking, literature, philosophy, psychology and history. The Bio cinema will also be showing "Les Héritiers des Paysans-Horlogers", a documentary film by Swiss director Claude Schauli about farmers who became passionate watchmakers.
It's showtime: the first brands have already unveiled their new products!
For travelling times
Nomos Glassworks
Flatter than a passport! These are the words Nomos Glashütte uses to describe the new "Club Sport neomatik Weltzeit". What is noticeable at first glance. The world timer from the Glashütte manufactory is definitely prettier than a plain passport. For the first time, Nomos has integrated the must-have function for all globetrotters into a "Club Sport".
The brand-new DUW 3202 manufacture calibre, in which the world time function has been fully integrated into the neomatik calibre, is used in the stainless steel case, which is water-resistant to ten bar.
The result: With an overall height of 9.9 millimetres, the "Club Sport neomatik Weltzeit" is an extremely slim representative of its kind. There is a choice of a deep blue and a silver-coloured dial with a sunburst finish. There are also six coloured model variants, each limited to 175 pieces.
Ressence
Ressence was founded in 2010 and each of its creations reveals the brand's two main characteristics at first glance: exceptional design and rotating circles. The new "Type 7" with a blue or aquamarine-coloured dial is proof of this. It is equipped with a 41-millimetre titanium case and is the first Ressence watch to be fitted with a titanium bracelet. The latter offers the special feature of a folding clasp with five adjustable positions.
Naturally, the "Type 7" has Ressence's characteristic dial, which allows it to be read from all angles and gives the impression that the indices, hands and numerals are displayed directly on the glass. This projection effect is created by filling the narrow gap between the inside of the glass and the surface of the dial with oil.
For the 15th anniversary, the GMT function complements the rotating displays for minutes, hours, oil temperature and the so-called shock absorber, which completes a 360-degree rotation in 120 seconds.
The heart of the "Type 7" is the patented ROCS 7, a mechanical movement module that practically floats in oil and is separate from the base calibre.
A series of micromagnets transmits information via a titanium membrane, which is driven by the minute axis and thus ensures perfect synchronisation of the dial elements.
For eternity
Frederique Constant
When it was launched in 2016, the "Classic Perpetual Calendar Manufacture" from Frederique Constant was - according to its own statements - the most affordable perpetual calendar on the watch market. However, the manufactory did not compromise on quality with this timepiece or its successor models. After all, the company sees itself as an expert in affordable luxury. In 2025, collectors' wishes in terms of colour and size were also included.
And so the salmon-coloured dial now displays the customary precision of FC watches, which is generated by the inner workings of the scaled-down 40-millimetre stainless steel case. To be more precise, this is the manufacture's 34th calibre.
It bears the designation FC-776 and its power reserve has been extended to three days. It can be seen through the sapphire crystal case back.
In addition to the perpetual calendar displaying the day, month and date (taking leap years into account), it also provides the Dauphine hands for the hours and minutes as well as the moon phase with energy and precision.
Bremont
The highlight of the "Altitude" collection is the "Calendar GMT Monopusher" model, which is limited to 50 pieces. In order to combine the "perpetual calendar performance" with the GMT display in a user-friendly way, the British watch brand worked together with the Geneva-based Atelier Agenhor and the Swiss movement manufacturer Sellita. Exclusively for Bremont, Agenhor has developed a slim and efficient module that integrates the perpetual calendar and GMT function. The heart of the watch is the hand-wound calibre AMT6900 from Sellita. The entire mechanism, consisting of the base movement and the Agenhor module, is only 6.8 millimetres high, giving the entire watch a wearable height of 12.65 millimetres. It is protected by a 42 millimetre titanium case. The displays are clearly arranged on the blue dial. A disc with a globe design at 12 o'clock indicates the second time zone.
A pusher integrated into the crown allows the hand to be adjusted in hour increments.
A recessed corrector at 2 o'clock allows the date to be set, while a corrector at 4 o'clock allows the leap year and month to be set. The calendar dates can be read at 3 and 6 o'clock, while the small seconds hand rotates at 9 o'clock.
From before
Alpina
The "Tropic Proof" has its roots in the 1960s and proves that it is part of Alpina's DNA to offer watches that are not only technically reliable, but also suitable for everyday use and even adventure. And so this reissued model from the past easily stands the test of time in the present. Especially as it has of course been brought up to date - but only where appropriate.
At first glance, the hand-cut Dauphine hands may resemble those of 1965, but the tritium used back then has of course been replaced by Luminova.
And the transparent dial protection is no longer made of resin, but of anti-reflective sapphire crystal.
However, the glass box shape has been retained, as has the 34-millimetre format of the stainless steel case. The AL-480 calibre works inside it - as it once did with manual winding.
Oris
The "Big Crown Pointer Date" was introduced back in 1938. This year, the characteristic design has been given a brightly coloured look. And although its actual purpose - to provide reliable and always perfectly legible time information for pilots - has not been up to date for a long time, Oris has never stopped producing this model. And there have always been adaptations to the spirit of the times. The latest "Big Crown Pointer Date", for example, is presented with a 34-millimetre stainless steel case in addition to the 40-millimetre version.
The cheerful choice of colours for the dial is particularly eye-catching and, in combination with the size, indicates the automatic inner workings.
40 millimetres + green or terracotta = Calibre 403 with 120-hour power reserve. 40 millimetres + yellow, purple or blue = Calibre 754 with 41-hour power reserve. 34 millimetres + brown or black = calibre 531 with a 42-hour power reserve.
The two little ones may not be as colourful, but they shine with twelve laboratory diamonds as indices.
Angelus
With the "Chronographe Télémètre", Angelus refers to its history as a specialist in the manufacture of chronographs. And so the timepiece shows unmistakable vintage references. This begins with the once customary moderate size of the stainless steel case of 37 millimetres, which is the smallest in the company's current portfolio.
It houses the in-house calibre A5000 with integrated monopusher, which provides a 42-hour power reserve by means of manual winding. The chronograph function is operated via a column wheel and a horizontal clutch, as was common with chronographs from the 1940s to the 1970s. The calibre performance is transmitted to the dial, which is available in three colour variants.
Of course, this is also where the eponymous telemeter can be found, a measuring scale that is connected to the chronograph's second hand. This allows the distance to an event to be measured.
The "Chronographe Télémètre" is limited to two editions of 25 pieces in stainless steel and 15 yellow gold versions.
Piaget
The chronological classification of the source of inspiration is immediately revealed by the name of these trapezoidal novelties: "Sixities". This refers to the manufactory's extravagant reinterpretation of the jewellery watch in this and the following decade - from the cuff design to the swinging necklace with time display.
Even then, the trapeze played a defining role. Almost 60 years later, Piaget has brought this design era into the modern age and presents the quartz-driven, trapezoidal "Sixties" model.
The case (29×25.3 mm), which is as striking as it is restrained in terms of its dimensions, surrounds either a bezel with finely chiselled godrons or 51 diamonds in the rose gold version.
The stainless steel version is also adorned with the latter.
Pretty new
MasterSinger
The Münster-based one-hand watch brand is celebrating its debut at Watches & Wonders with the new "Kaenos" product family. And it brings a much sportier touch to the portfolio. Water-resistant to ten bar and measuring 40 millimetres in diameter, the watches also have the right format for many wrists.
Designer, founder and managing director Manfred Brassler explains: "With the 'Kaenos', we want to make the one-hand watch even more accessible - a watch that proves itself as a reliable, uncomplicated everyday companion while retaining the typical MeisterSinger character and the advantages of a one-hand watch."
To achieve this, the "Kaenos" was developed from scratch. This applies to the integrated stainless steel bracelet as well as the easy-grip crown and the dial, which consists of two overlapping layers and is available in four different colours.
The new product family is also divided into two lines: the "Kaenos" with a large date at the 6 o'clock position and the "Kaenos Open Date" with an exposed date disc.
The SW400 and SW200 from Sellita ensure a reliable gear.
Speake Marin
Although the model as such is not new, the version with a case made from ethical 18-karat rose gold is. The "Ripple", which was first presented in 2022, thus receives a sophisticated upgrade, as all the cases in the collection were previously made of stainless steel. However, the small seconds at 1.30 o'clock, the striking, eponymous rippled dial and the 40.3 millimetre diameter of the case remain. The latter is known as "La City" and, with its 40-piece construction, forms a synthesis of circle and square.
It houses the SMA03-T automatic in-house manufacture movement with a decentralised tungsten micro-rotor and 52-hour power reserve.
It transfers its functionality to the rhodium-plated brass dial with Zapon coating for golden-brown light reflections. Another new addition to the collection is the mocha-coloured calfskin strap with an embossed denim motif.
Setting the tone
Armin Strom
Limited to 20 pieces, the "Orbit Purple" not only bears the statement colour in its name, but also on the small fumé dial displaying the hours, minutes and small seconds. It contrasts with the black 43.4-millimetre DLC case, the black textile strap and, of course, the technical architecture of the rest of the skeletonised dial. And this celebrates the "Orbit"-typical display of the date on the ceramic bezel, which is only available on request.
This on-demand function by Armin Strom was the first of its kind. In this new version, the word Date and the tip of the corresponding hand are also in purple.
The ASS20 manufacture calibre with a generous 72-hour power reserve is responsible for the reliable functionality.
Gerald Charles
Limited to 200 pieces, the "Maestro GC Sport Tennis" is not suitable for a discreet appearance. This is prevented by the tennis ball yellow, textured dial, which is housed in a lightweight but robust darkblast grade 5 titanium case (39×41 mm) that is water-resistant to ten bar.
The original design of this protective case, which is water-resistant to ten bar, dates back to 2005 and was created by founder Gérald Charles Genta. Original sketches and historical timepieces featuring golf balls and tennis balls on the dial also provided inspiration. The result of these inspirations is secured to the wrist with a yellow Velcro strap with an interchangeable system.
Incidentally, the "Maestro GC Sport Tennis" bears its name quite rightly, as it is equipped with a shock resistance of five Gs, has the crown positioned on the left side for undisturbed freedom of movement for the wrist and has been approved by professional tennis players as match-ready.
The heart of the watch is the in-house developed Swiss Manufacture 2.0 calibre with a 50-hour power reserve.
Chronoswiss
Limited to 25 pieces, the "Q Repeater Scream" is loud in every respect and therefore bears its name with good reason. Chronoswiss itself calls it one of the most radical timepieces. It is clad in a 42 millimetre titanium case, which forms the frame for the skeletonised, multi-level dial, which is supported by coloured CVD-coated bridges.
A push-button activates the quarter-hour repeater, which audibly indicates the hours and quarter hours via visible hammers.
The Lucerne-based manufactory relies on the revived, historic calibre C.126 from the 1990s for the precise movement, which also has little regard for understatement, as it is decorated with hand-guilloché plates and luminous ceramic blocks.
Skilfully declining
Hyt
The watch brand known for its liquid display presents the new "S1" sports watch collection made of titanium and with a retrograde hour display in the colours blue and green in combination with DLC black or in the colour red in combination with a bead-blasted case. The counterparts capturing the minutes, seconds and power reserve counter with Superluminova. The numerals on the black-coated, sandblasted chapter ring are also coated with luminous material.
In the 45-millimetre case, the 352-part 501-CM movement with a 72-hour power reserve performs its reliable service - in its very own way.
The missing dial reveals its hydromechanical mechanism with two central reservoirs. The coloured liquid contained in these reservoirs performs the function of displaying the retrograde hours in a circular capillary.
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