Tick-Talk TickTalk Blog
Beginning on April 25, 2020, the day that would have marked the start of Watches & Wonders Geneva 2020 (formerly SIHH), a new digital platform will go live – showcasing the newest timepieces from brands that would have exhibited at the show. By bringing all of the brands that wish to debut new watches together on one online platform, theshow organizers, Fondation de la Haute Horlogerie (FHH) hope to provide an online news forum and meeting place.
Visitors to watchesandwonders.com will find approximately 30 brands — those that had planned to exhibit at the Geneva event until it was canceled due to COVID-19— showcased. Brands have the ability to put new products online, display information about their brand and their watchmaking universe, and add product throughout the ensuing days. According to a statement issued by the FHH, there will also be customized content, educational experiences and more to satiate the appetites of watch collectors, journalists, bloggers and retailers.
The platform is designed as a virtual meeting place and will last beyond just the previously designated show dates. Going live on Saturday, April 25th, watchesandwonders.com will roll out in phases. The first phase will offer dedicated pages for each of the “exhibiting” brands. There, they can opt to showcase new product if it is ready, or just showcase their watchmaking savoir-faire.
Unfortunately, due to the closure of Swiss watch manufactures – including the makers of watch screws, pinions, gears and other parts – many brands were unable to garner the parts necessary to build their watches. Even those who are vertically integrated were forced to stop production as factories across Europe shuttered their doors due to COVID-19. The Geneva watch shows were put on hold, including some smaller adjunct shows (Geneva Days) that had been planned by a few brands as a supplement to the stalled Watches & Wonders Geneva.
