On Tuesday, April 1, the wide world of watches will descend upon Switzerland as press, retailers, and brands flock to the Palexpo in Geneva for the 2025 edition of ‘Watches and Wonders’. It is a week packed full of big announcements.
‘Watches and Wonders 2025’ runs from April 1 to April 7, with the ticketed show being open to the public on April 5, 6, and 7.
In an exceptional setting, 60 world famous Swiss and non-Swiss watch brands will open the doors to their world and unveil their latest creations. Watches and Wonders Geneva, the watchmaking industry’s flagship event, will welcome professionals and journalists from around the world, before opening its doors to the public from April 5 to 7.
Product presentations, hands-on workshops, educational experiences, meetings with experts, watchmakers and craftsmen… The brands are showcasing their creativity to welcome the public at their booths and boutiques in the city centre.
The highlight of the week will take place on Thursday, April 3, with an evening ‘In The City’, as watchmaking boutiques will remain open until 9 pm, while a celebratory concert by French electronic duo Bon Entendeur will also be taking place.
“Everyone should be able to experience something unique. Watches and Wonders Geneva is all about contact and emotion, and we are committed to fostering this,” says Cyrille Vigneron, President of the Watches and Wonders Geneva Foundation.
Young people in the spotlight
Whether looking for training, a career or simply interested in watchmaking, young people are a focus for this year’s event. They will be able to meet apprentices from different brands and discover student projects presented at the LAB. This dynamic space is dedicated to innovation and brings together a range of brands, start-ups and schools around projects presented by young people for young people.
At the Watchmaking Village on the Pont de la Machine, younger visitors will be able to experience watchmaking and jewellery workshops, find out about training courses and follow the live broadcast from Palexpo of the Swiss Skills 2025 qualifications for micro technology professions.
Explore time differently
At the Salon, through Geneva-based photographer Fred Merz’s exhibition Longitude 0° which will take visitors along the famous Greenwich Meridian to discover some of its physical markers and share unique anecdotes from those living nearby.
At the Auditorium, a robust conference program will explore emerging talents and trades, the role of women in watchmaking, the challenges and perspectives of the second-hand watch market, or the efforts related to the inclusion of horological arts and mechanics in UNESCO’s intangible cultural heritage.
The extensive free cultural events of the ‘In The City’ program will also contribute to broaden perspectives on watchmaking, while the Payot bookshop offers a chance to meet Geneva historian Gérard Duc, prominent Geneva author Max Lobe, and Swiss crime fiction stars Nicolas Feuz and Marc Voltenaeur.
These events aim to create new links between watchmaking expertise, literature, philosophy, psychology and history. The Bio Cinema will be screening Les Héritiers des Paysans-Horlogers, a documentary by Swiss director Claude Schauli, about farmers who became passionate watchmakers.
Created in September 2022 on the initiative of Rolex, Richemont and Patek Philippe, Watches and Wonders Geneva Foundation (WWGF) is a non-profit foundation based in Geneva. In 2024, three new key members, Chanel, Hermès and LVMH joined the founding members on the WWGF Board.
Its mission is to promote watchmaking throughout the world by organising watchmaking events, with Geneva as flagship event. Watches and Wonders Geneva brings together the world’s leading watchmakers, with 60 brands exhibiting in 2025 and 49,000 visitors at its last edition in April 2024, which is a record number. Here at TimeWatch, we will keep an eye on the proceedings and update you on the latest in the world of watches.
