Due to the global pandemic, the watch industry, like most sectors worldwide, suffered greatly. Sales dropped, boutiques and retail stores had to close, production was drastically reduced or even halted for a time, and watch exhibitions could not be held for obvious safety reasons. Indeed, the physical editions of the two largest exhibitions, Watches & Wonders and Baselworld, had to be canceled in 2020 - with the latter even having to permanently close its doors after 103 years of existence. However, considering signs that the pandemic may be nearing its end, it's time for the return of our beloved watch fairs. This means that in 2021 (with Geneva Watch Days) and 2022, we will be able to touch and examine some watches, allowing us to present you with even more detailed reports, as the Watches & Wonders Geneva exhibition returns in physical format next year.
Thus, after two years of too often holding meetings via computers, watching video conferences and digital events, without the opportunity to see the watches in person and meet the people who created them - we've done all we could thanks to our presence in Europe and Switzerland - the time has come for the old yet eagerly awaited watch fairs to once again exist. Next year, the Watches & Wonders Geneva exhibition, the main event of the year, will once again become a physical event and will be held in the halls of Palexpo (the historic venue) from March 30 to April 5, 2022.
As for the participants, we cannot yet confirm whether the 38 watch brands featured in the digital edition of 2021 will return in 2022. The list of participating brands and the exact format will be announced by Watches & Wonders later.