Watches and Wonders 2021 in-person salon may be no more due to Covid-19, but organisers say the show must go on(line), with brands like Rolex and Patek Philippe invited to go digital instead

Nov 20 , 2020

Watches and Wonders’ previous events, previously known by a different name, drew tens of thousands of visitors, but its organisers are abandoning the physical show altogether in 2021. Photo: Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie

After the cancellation of this year’s Watches and Wonders Geneva event, luxury watch fans were hoping to visit the Rolex and Cartier booths in person in 2021: they will have to settle for an online salon instead

The organiser of Watches and Wonders Geneva 2021 has announced it will take the event 100 per cent digital next year in light of the unpredictable situation surrounding Covid-19. The online event will take place during the same period the physical show was scheduled, from April 7 to 13.

Guests arriving at the Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie in 2018, long before anyone saw the Covid-19 pandemic coming. Photo: Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie

Next year’s event will mark the second run of the revamped salon, formerly hosted under the name Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie. Luxury watchmakers including Cartier, Panerai, Richard Mille and others have been long-time participants of the annual exhibition.

In 2020, the Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie was renamed Watches and Wonders. Photo: Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie

The news will be especially disappointing for watch lovers, many of whom would have been looking forward to visiting the Rolex and Patek Philippe booths, among other brands that have found a new home at Watches and Wonders since their exodus from Baselworld earlier in the year. Tudor, Chanel and Chopard have also abandoned Baselworld for a place in the hall at Palexpo.

Since brands abandoned Baselworld earlier this year, organiser MCH Group has rebranded the 102-year old show. The first edition of the renamed exhibition, Houruniverse, is to take place from April 8 to 12, 2021. There’s no word yet as to whether this show will also meet the same fate as Watches and Wonders and be cancelled or taken online.

Founded in 1917, the controversial Baselworld was recently rebranded as Houruniverse by its organiser MCH Group. Photo: MCH Group

The event’s organiser, Fondation de la Haute Horlogerie, is calling on all brands to take part in Watches and Wonders Geneva online. In a press release announcing the news, the organiser said: “the Exhibition Committee wishes to invite other brands to join this digital edition, making it the number-one event for watchmaking in 2021.”

Currently, 50 brands are slated to present their 2021 novelties online in April 2021. Watch fans can expect to see new creations from the likes of Jaeger-LeCoultre, IWC and Vacheron Constantin, along with pieces from independent names in watchmaking such as Ressence and HYT.

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