In 2026, the event will bring together 66 watchmaking houses, opening their doors to professionals, journalists, enthusiasts, and collectors to showcase their latest collections and innovations.[2]
In 2020 and 2021, the show was opened to the public for the first time in a virtual format. In 2022, three days of the event were made accessible to the public in person.
The 2025 edition welcomed 55,000 visitors, including nearly 1,600 journalists.[3][4]
Watches and Wonders Geneva Foundation
Watches and Wonders Geneva Foundation (WWGF) was established in September 2022 [5] as a non-profit foundation. Its mission is to promote watchmaking expertise and craftsmanship around the world.[6]
WWGF was founded at the initiative of Rolex, Richemont, and Patek Philippe. It is governed by a foundation board chaired by Cyrille Vigneron (Cartier), with Claude Peny (Patek Philippe) as vice-chair.[7]
In 2024, three new members joined the board:[6]Chanel, Hermès, and LVMH. The board focuses on defining strategic and developmental directions.[8]
An exhibitor committee, composed of representatives from participating brands, oversees the proper conduct of the event and contributes to operational decisions.[5]
The CEO of WWGF, Matthieu Humair, leads a team of around thirty people responsible for executing the event.[9]
History of the watches and Wonders Geneva Foundation (WWGF)[10]
The history of the Watches and Wonders Geneva Foundation (WWGF) begins with its predecessor, the Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie (SIHH), which dates back to 1991. It was founded by Alain-Dominique Perrin, then president of the Vendôme group (now Richemont), with the aim of offering clients a more luxurious and exclusive experience.[10]
The SIHH started with only five exhibiting brands, three of which belonged to the founding group, on a surface area of 1,000 square meters.[10]
Over the years, the event expanded with the arrival of Franck Muller, Audemars Piguet, Parmigiani Fleurier, and several other houses acquired by Richemont.[10]
By 2015, the show hosted sixteen exhibiting brands; today, more than sixty watchmaking houses participate.[11]
Until 2022, the event was organized by the Fondation de la Haute Horlogerie.[5]
In 2019, the show announced a name change, marking a new direction: it aimed to become more digital, more modern, and above all, more accessible.[12]
A new extension of the event was introduced: “In the City”, which brings watchmaking into the heart of Geneva.[13]
During the week of the show, the public can attend exhibitions, in-store animations, workshops, conferences, and much more, including a concert held on Thursday evening , offering a deep dive into the world of watchmaking.[13]
Exhibitors
Exhibitors at Watches and Wonders Geneva 2026:[14]
The Watches and Wonders Geneva Foundation (WWGF) brought its flagship event to Shanghai in 2020, 2021, 2023, and 2024, hosted at the West Bund Art Center.
The 2022 edition was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
In 2024, the event was open to the public for several days, marking a first for the Chinese market.
The show featured two days for professionals and three days for public visitors, with strong attendance from younger audiences, 70% of public tickets were sold to visitors under 35.[15][16]
The Watches and Wonders Geneva Foundation (WWGF) brought its immersive exhibition to Hainan Island, China, from December 2, 2022, to February 28, 2023.
The event took place in two different locations:
International Duty Free Shopping Complex in Sanya
cdf Mall in Haikou
This edition was open to the general public, offering a three-month immersive experience that blended watch exhibitions with interactive experiences.
The event coincided with the Chinese New Year festivities on January 22, 2023, serving as a cultural highlight:[17][18]
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