INHORGENTA VINTAGE 2027: The trade show opens a door to the public

This question has been the subject of heated debate in the jewelry and watch industry for years: Should INHORGENTA be open to people without trade visitor credentials? With INHORGENTA VINTAGE, the trade show has now found an answer without completely abandoning its existing B2B concept.

From February 19 to 22, 2027, a standalone public pavilion dedicated to high-quality vintage and antique jewelry as well as pre-owned watches will be held for the first time alongside INHORGENTA MUNICH. While the main trade show will continue to be reserved for industry professionals, the new section is specifically aimed at collectors, enthusiasts, and private customers interested in making a purchase.

With this move, INHORGENTA is not venturing to open its doors completely, but is establishing a first, clearly defined link between the trade show and end consumers.

A separate section for vintage and pre-owned items

INHORGENTA VINTAGE is moving into the adjacent Hall B0 at the West Entrance of the Munich Trade Fair Center. A separate entrance physically separates the new public area from the trade show’s regular exhibition spaces.

In terms of content, the event focuses on high-quality vintage and antique jewelry as well as pre-owned watches. In doing so, the trade show is tapping into a market that has grown significantly in importance within the jewelry and watch industry.

Vintage jewelry appeals to customers who are looking for unique pieces with a history. In the watch industry, the trade in pre-owned and vintage models has long since evolved into a market of its own. In addition to well-known models, the focus is on rarity, condition, provenance, and authenticity.

The Controversial Issue of Opening the Event to the Public

The decision to open INHORGENTA to non-trade visitors has long been viewed with mixed reactions within the industry. The main argument in favor of this move is greater visibility: a broader audience brings additional attention, facilitates new encounters with jewelry and watches, and can introduce younger people in particular to the industry.

For brands and retailers, direct contact with end customers also offers the opportunity to gain first-hand insight into their needs, reactions, and purchasing motivations. As a result, a trade show becomes not only a marketplace but also a stage for brands, craftsmanship, and product culture.

There are legitimate concerns about this. A trade show serves primarily as a forum for focused interaction between manufacturers, retailers, buyers, and service providers. Discussions about product lines, terms, distribution, and long-term partnerships require time and a professional setting. High visitor traffic can make purchasing more difficult, tie up advisory resources, and disrupt operations at the exhibition booths.

The real question, therefore, is not so much whether a trade show should open its doors, but rather how visibility and outreach to end customers can be reconciled with the needs of specialty retailers.

Differences in Approaches Between B2B and the General Public

Other events have already developed various models for this. Watches and Wonders Geneva continues to maintain a separation of time slots. For the 2026 edition, the first four days were reserved for industry professionals, followed by three days open to the public. This allowed brands and retailers to focus on their business meetings before the fair opened to a wider audience of watch enthusiasts. This was complemented by a free program in downtown Geneva.

Gemworld Munich is following a similar model as part of the Munich Show. On October 22 and 23, 2026, the event will be reserved for registered trade visitors. The following weekend, the event will also be open to the general public.

Both formats separate the trade and public segments by time. Exhibitors can first focus on purchasing, sales, and professional discussions, and then welcome collectors and interested private customers.

VO Vintage as a direct inspiration

VO Vintage aligns even more closely with Munich’s new concept. Vicenzaoro itself remains a B2B-only event for professionals in the jewelry and watch industry. In parallel, the Italian Exhibition Group organizes VO Vintage, a marketplace open to the public for high-quality vintage watches and historic jewelry.

VO Vintage is specifically aimed at collectors, enthusiasts, and specialty dealers. Items can be viewed and purchased on-site. The event features discussions, lectures, and events with experts from the vintage scene.

The distinction is primarily geographical and conceptual: Vicenzaoro remains a trade show, while VO Vintage is positioned as a separate B2C section within the event complex. According to the organizer, it is the only area of Vicenzaoro that is open to the public.

INHORGENTA VINTAGE is modeled exactly after this format. In Munich, too, the trade show will remain closed, while a separately accessible area will allow for interaction with the public.

A cautious step rather than a full reopening

INHORGENTA has thus decided neither to open the event fully to the public nor to hold separate days for industry professionals and the general public. Instead, it is creating a parallel, physically separate platform with its own distinct profile.

This has several advantages. Trade visitors can continue to move around the main exhibition without altering its fundamental nature. At the same time, collectors and private customers gain access to a select portion of the offerings. Exhibitors seeking direct sales and to reach end customers can specifically choose to participate in the new section.

Whether this distinction works in practice will depend largely on how visitor flow, tickets, and access are organized. Another key factor will be whether the pavilion develops its own distinct offering featuring interesting vendors, unique items, and an accompanying program—or whether it simply comes across as an extension of the sales floor.

New Opportunities for Retailers and Exhibitors

Participation is open to both existing INHORGENTA exhibitors and new vendors specializing in vintage, pre-owned, and antique jewelry. Existing exhibitors can expand their presence at the trade show by adding an additional booth in Hall B0.

For dealers, the pavilion offers the opportunity to engage directly with end customers. In addition to direct sales, this format can be used to attract new collectors, build trust, and showcase their expertise in the appraisal, provenance, and selection of historical pieces.

Personal consultation is particularly important when it comes to pre-owned watches and older jewelry. A face-to-face conversation allows for a much more nuanced discussion of condition, restorations, provenance, and authenticity than a purely online presentation.

Turnkey Booths for the Premiere

For its first edition, the trade show is offering pre-configured booth packages with floor spaces of 12, 15, or 20 square meters. These packages include, among other things, walls, lighting, electrical hookups, furniture, storage space, a coat check, and booth signage.

Depending on the selected space, two or three display cases are included. The turnkey setup is designed to enable smaller retailers and specialty vendors, in particular, to participate without having to undertake extensive trade show planning on their own.

According to the organizer, the number of available booth spaces is limited. Spaces will be allocated on a “first come, first served” basis.

Click here to register and reserve a booth

INHORGENTA VINTAGE 2027 Opening Hours

INHORGENTA VINTAGE will take place on all four days of the trade show:

• Friday, February 19, 2027: 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
• Saturday, February 20, 2027: 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
• Sunday, February 21, 2027: 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
• Monday, February 22, 2027: 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

INHORGENTA exhibitors and accredited trade visitors can enter the new area with their trade show ticket. Private customers and collectors without trade visitor accreditation will need a separate ticket.

A Test for the Future Direction

With INHORGENTA VINTAGE, the trade show is responding to two trends: the growing interest in vintage jewelry and pre-owned watches, and the desire for greater visibility and accessibility for the industry.

The new pavilion is therefore more than just additional exhibition space. It will also serve as a test of how closely INHORGENTA can engage with the public in the future without compromising its role as a trade and ordering fair.

For now, the trade show is opting for a measured middle ground. Specialty retailers remain protected, while a door is opening elsewhere for collectors and enthusiasts. Whether this will evolve into a permanent format modeled after VO Vintage is likely to be one of the most interesting questions at INHORGENTA 2027.