SIHH celebrates record attendance with over 23,000 visitors across the four days, and millions of views via social media, indicating that the fair is still relevant to the industry.
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Earlier last year, some watch brands announced that they will be departing Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie after this year, throwing into question the significance of such large-scale event.
However, the figures released following the 29th edition in Geneva, might be an indication that SIHH is still a hugely important occasion on the watchmakers calendar, as well as a key place for networking, and socialising with brand ambassadors like Olivia Palermo for Piaget and Hugh Jackman for Montblanc.
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The Salon’s new format also hit the mark, thanks to the bigger and better LIVE concept in the Auditorium as well as the creation of the LAB, a showcase for exhibitors’ innovations in digital and technology. Artificial intelligence, virtual reality and augmented craftsmanship are some of the technologies through which Fine Watchmaking is expanding its expertise and making this expertise known.
This 29th SIHH also revealed the first trends in Fine Watchmaking for 2019. Many exceptional timepieces were on display, perpetual calendars in particular. True collector’s items, they could be seen in both the historic Maisons as well as inside the Carré des Horlogers.
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Blue and green colourways are continuing to gain in popularity, as well as Moon phases and “métiers d’art” dials. Also noteworthy is the arrival of original alloys, based on carbon or recycled titanium, mainly in sport watches.
Not forgetting women’s watches, for which new designs, movements and gem-setting were showcased by many of the brands – we spotted our favourite models at Jaeger-LeCoultre.
The 30th edition will be held in April 2020.
