It’s been a rocky few years for inperson watch events of any scale, but Geneva Watch Days is stepping up as one of the most interesting players in the space. Begun in 2020, and billed as a decentralized, self-managed fair that is — importantly — open to the public, Geneva Watch Days is a natural haven for independent brands, both big and small. That’s not to say that it doesn’t have some serious backing — notably from industry heavyweight Bvlgari, but also from names like MB&F, De Bethune, Urwerk and more.
What this adds up to is a show that puts watchmaking in its best light, with creativity front and center. Smaller brands that would be swallowed up in other arenas have the space to showcase their genius to an enraptured public, in a laidback atmosphere in — and this is important — plenty of Swiss sunshine. If the 2022 exhibition is anything to go by, the future of Geneva Watch Days, and watchmaking in general, looks bright.
BVLGARI
This year, Bvlgari celebrates 10 years of the Octo Finissimo design, a complex, angular and faceted case that stands out as one of the most interesting and innovative watch designs of recent years. In addition to the many materials — from gold to titanium and ceramic — this
