Geneva Watch Days 2025

Record attendance, standout launches, and a calendar of unifying events made the 6th edition of Geneva Watch Days a milestone in every respect. With more brands, retailers, journalists, collectors, and enthusiasts converging on Geneva than ever before, the week blew past all expectations. By every measure — numbers, diversity, creativity, and resonance — this year’s edition set a new benchmark, richer and more impactful than any before.

For this 6th edition, 66 brands (vs. 52 in 2024) featured in the official 2025 program, drawing nearly 1,900 watch industry professionals (vs. 1,500 in 2024) to the shores of Lake Geneva. Among them were close to 300 retailers (vs. 250 in 2024) and 500 members of the media and influencers, including major news agencies and several television networks.

Open to the public over four days, from Thursday, September 4 to Sunday, September 7, the Pavilion at the Rotonde du Mont-Blanc — expanded this year to 800 m² — welcomed more than 17,000 visitors in total (vs. 13,800 in 2024), with a peak recorded on Friday. Enthusiasts had the chance to discover the Prowess exhibition, featuring over 150 timepieces — the latest launches alongside iconic models — presented across 59 showcases in a series of themed displays.

Defining Moments, Shared Creativity
The Culture Club, set up in one wing of the Pavilion, was the setting for the Fondation de la Haute Horlogerie (FHH), the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève (GPHG), the Geneva Watchmaking School, the Horological Society of New York (HSNY), Horopedia, and The Watch Library — all partners of the event — to stage a full program of activities. More than 200 enthusiasts took part in tailored brand presentations and guided tours led by FHH experts, while collectors enjoyed exclusive Special Guest Experiences.

Adding a playful yet equally technical twist, the Calibership contest brought together 40 participants — industry figures and members of the public, competing on equal footing — to test their skills in regulating a watch. The official results will be announced on September 29 by the organizing committee, once COSC has completed its rigorous tests on each Sellita movement and released the findings.

As for conferences, panels, and presentations, the 250 m² GlassBox next to the Pavilion quickly became the go-to venue, hosting close to 25 events ranging from symposia and press conferences to brand presentations. Among them, four Power Breakfasts gave several CEOs and Geneva business leaders the chance to engage directly with the public, while well-attended debates drew both professionals and enthusiasts, often continuing into thematic luncheons that extended the conversations. In all, more than 1,000 people took part in these moments of dialogue and reflection, open to everyone to share, learn, and enjoy.

The charity auction, organized with PHILLIPS in Association with Bacs & Russo in support of the Geneva Watchmaking School and the Pierre Amstutz Foundation, brought together nearly 300 guests and raised CHF 185,900 — almost double the previous year. The star lot — a case offered by MB&F containing 32 small figurines — sparked lively bidding before selling for CHF 80,000. Since the first edition in 2023, more than CHF 403,900 has been raised in support of the next generation of watchmakers. The evening concluded with a gala event that gathered nearly 1,000 people in celebration.

The traditional brunch hosted by the Fondation de la Haute Horlogerie on Saturday, September 6 drew nearly 150 watch enthusiasts, who tested their knowledge in a lively quiz. Four conferences — organized by the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève, the FHH, the Dominique Renaud Foundation, and The Watch Library — offered deeper insight into each institution’s universe, their latest developments, and the human relationship with time. Networking evenings also made their mark on this edition, including the opening night, which gathered more than 1,200 guests in a festive, relaxed, and unifying atmosphere.

Finally, in terms of digital reach, the Geneva Watch Days 2025 website recorded more than 159,000 visits, representing nearly 29,800 unique visitors. The homepage led the way with more than 32,000 views, followed by the Agenda & Activities section (12,600) and the Exhibitors page (10,500).

The event also reinforced its commitment to sustainable mobility:

• 210 cycle-taxi rides
• 317 passengers carried over 338 kilometers
• an increase of more than 30% compared with 2024.

A Unique Atmosphere
The opening press conference, held for the first time at Geneva’s landmark Palais Eynard before a packed audience, underscored the strong support of the city’s authorities, with State Councilor Delphine Bachmann (Economy and Employment) and City Councilor Christina Kitsos in attendance.

But beyond the numbers, it was the spirit of Geneva Watch Days that shone through: effortless, inclusive, and imaginative — a gathering where professionals, collectors, and the public came together to celebrate watchmaking in all its diversity.

Jean-Christophe Babin, President of the Geneva Watch Days Association and CEO of Bulgari Group, commented: “While the broader context might have suggested a challenging start to the season for the industry, the opposite proved true in Geneva during this first week of September. Geneva Watch Days truly showcased its vitality, appeal, and unifying power. The credit for this success goes, of course, to the 66 participating brands, but also to all our partners, whom I warmly thank — the Republic and Canton of Geneva, the City of Geneva, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Geneva Tourism, the Fondation de la Haute Horlogerie, the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève, Horopedia, the Geneva Watchmaking School, The Watch Library, WorldTempus, the Horological Society of New York, GMT Publishing, Revolution magazine, Le Temps, WatchPro, Europastar, JSH, Hantang Culture, The Real Time Show, Frank sans C, Radio Lac, and Carac TV. Thanks to their support, this 6th edition exceeded all expectations and confirmed Geneva Watch Days’ unique place on the global watchmaking stage.”

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