Watches and Wonders 2022 commits to physical show with Geneva also hosting another new watch fair

Luke Benedictus

“Let’s get physical!” suggested Olivia Newton-John while sporting a towelling headband and a come-hither smile in her 1981 smash-hit. Forty years on, it’s a message that Watches and Wonders has taken firmly on board. Less in a lycra and leg-warmers kinda way and more in the sense of the watch fair confirming that it will once again incorporate a physical component to the fair in Geneva next month.

Yes, Watches and Wonders is back from March 30 until April 5 and will provide the stage for 38 of the world’s top watch brands to unveil a mountain of new product. Whereas last year, COVID forced W&W to resort to digital presentations, the physical salons will now be back, allowing people to handle the new watches in the metal.

Admittedly, the watch fair has announced its showing will also be bolstered “with digital solutions” to allow events to be followed both in person or online. The program also promises to deliver a lively mix of events, discussion panels and exhibitions that will include two dedicated shows to be broadcast direct from the event – the Morning Show at 8.30am and the Late Show at 6.30pm. (Whisper it quietly, but the word on the street is that Time+Time founder Andrew McUtchen will possibly be making an appearance…).

Exhibiting brands

The list of brands at W&W is certainly impressive and has been broken down into two sections. Under the Exhibiting Maisons heading are A. Lange & Söhne, Baume & Mercier, Cartier, Chanel, Chopard, Grand Seiko, Hermès, Hublot, IWC Schaffhausen, Jaeger-Lecoultre, Montblanc, Oris, Panerai, Parmigiani Fleurier, Patek Philippe, Piaget, Roger Dubuis, Rolex, Tag Heuer, Tudor, Ulysse Nardin, Vacheron Constantin, Van Cleef & Arpels and Zenith.

What surprises can we expect from Rolex this year

The other category is called: Carré Des Horlogers and features slightly more niche brands including Angelus, Armin Strom, Arnold & Son, Cyrus Genève, Czapek & Cie, Ferdinand Berthoud, H. Moser & Cie., Laurent Ferrier, Louis Moinet, Rebellion Timepieces, Ressence, Rudis Sylva, Speake-Marin and Trilobe.

Time to Watches

At the same time as W&W, Geneva will also play host to a second watch fair, the peculiarly named Time to Watches. Apparently, the idea here is to offer an alternative event for independent brands not present at W&W. The roster for Time to Watches currently has 30 brands and is “steadily expanding” but already has some promising names with exhibitors including Corum, Sinn, MeisterSinger, Louis Erard, Reservoir, Chronoswiss, Raketa, L’Epée 1839, L.Leroy, Mauron Musy, Pierre deRoche, Schwarz Etienne, Perrelet and Pequignet.

All up, it’s exciting news for watch lovers who’ll get to goggle a gazillion new pieces from March 30. As you’d expect, the T+T team will be at both these fairs in force to bring you the inside track on all the watches you need to put on your wish-list.