As Watches and Wonders 2023, the latest iteration of the annual watchmaking extravaganza, prepares to open its doors in Geneva, we talk to CEO of the Watches and Wonders Geneva Foundation, Matthieu Humair, on what has inspired this year’s design.
‘We wanted to create an atmosphere which really enables visitors to dive into the world of watchmaking,’ Humair tells us. ‘But we also need to let all the participants in the zone express themselves, so our platform has to have this homogeneous atmosphere, and let each maison shine. That's really our intention. We see the different universes of each maison when they enter the different specific spaces of each brand, and we need to give each one the same visibility. So this is very important in the design and the concept, letting visitors go on a circular journey where there's not one brand hidden by another.’
Watches and Wonders behind the scenes
The event at the Palexpo, uniting almost 50 brands, is this year also accompanied by a programme taking place throughout the city of Geneva, the culmination of the close relationship cultivated with the partaking brands. ‘We work closely with them all year long,’ Humair adds, ‘once they are ready to present their concept to us; the first meeting is usually in summer for the next edition in spring. So it's a lot of anticipation and close collaboration: there's the design concept, but also technical aspects to take into account.’
As well as the brands’ own booths, the space encompasses communal areas. ‘We have more than 20,000 visitors joining in the five first days that are b2b; we need to provide a space that allows them to work in the best possible way,’ Humair says. ‘They all need to have meeting rooms, for the press and the retailers, with large and common exhibition areas also welcoming the end clients during the weekend.
‘And, each year there are a lot of new wonders to discover inside the booths of each maison, so our concept has also evolved through time; although there may be some slight adaptations, the basics and the style remain the same.’
Watches and Wonders 2023 will take place 27 March – 2 April
-
Find bubbly, chewy, perfectly crusted pizza at Cosetta, LA’s new Westside Italian gemLocated in a slightly industrial area by the Santa Monica airport, Cosetta, from pizza maestro Zack Pollack, champions the local Italian dining scene with tradition and innovation
-
Oscar Niemeyer: a guide to the Brazilian modernist, from big hits to lesser-known gemsArchitecture master Oscar Niemeyer defined 20th-century architecture and is synonymous with Brazilian modernism; our ultimate guide explores his work, from lesser-known schemes to his big hits; and we revisit a check-in with the man himself
-
French skincare brand PERS doesn’t believe in overcomplicated routinesFrench skincare brand PERS – an acronym for ‘protect, enhance, repair, and stimulate’ – has recently arrived in the UK. The mastermind behind it, Dr Anthony Calmon, tells Wallpaper* about his protocol
-
Tudor hones in on the details in 2025’s new watch releasesTudor rethinks classic watches with carefully considered detailing – shop this year’s new faces
-
Are ‘jump hour’ watches the most enjoyable trend to come out of Watches and Wonders?Watches and Wonders 2025 saw new jump hour watches from Bremont, Cartier, Gerald Charles, Hautlence, Svend Andersen and others
-
Piaget’s new Sixtie watches recall a glamorous history at Watches and Wonders 2025Piaget draws on historical codes with the trapeze-shaped Sixtie watch collection, revealed at Watches and Wonders 2025
-
Cartier dials up the glamour at Watches and Wonders 2025Cartier revamps much-loved watch collections, from Privé and Panthère to Tank and Tressage, upping the sparkle at the watch fair in Geneva
-
Patek Philippe brings 15 new timepieces to Watches and Wonders 2025The Swiss manufacturer showcases its intricate complications and elegant designs at the annual trade show with a suite of new models
-
Watches & Wonders 2025: preview Richemont’s latest innovations, on show at the Geneva watch fairDiscover eight enticing timepieces from the luxury group, showcased this week at the Geneva fair
-
Every new Rolex watch unveiled at Watches and Wonders 2025Our editors are on the ground at the biggest trade show in the horological calendar, where key industry players take the stage. Here, we spotlight Rolex as it reveals its new wave of watches
-
Tag Heuer celebrates its racing credentials at this year's Watches and WondersTag Heuer nods to its partnership with Grand Prix de Monaco with this year's sporty new watches
