The return of Watches & Wonders 2023
If last year's Watches & Wonders event was a particular success as it marked its return after a two-year hiatus, the presentation of 2023 was just as exciting with the arrival of 13 new brands. Indeed, Watches & Wonders 2023, having presented many new products and dazzling innovations, was a unique opportunity to discover the latest watch creations from the world's most renowned brands, specifically for watch enthusiasts.
The world of watchmaking met in Geneva, Switzerland, to celebrate this event. Held from March 27 to April 2 at Palexpo, this annual watch show featured the most anticipated timepieces from some of the biggest names in the industry. With a total of 48 booths available at the event, visitors had the opportunity to discover a multitude of watch creations.
But what to remember about Watches & Wonders 2023?
First edition of Watches & Wonders open to the public
In addition to incredible watches, this year's edition also marked the first time the event opened its doors to the public in the form of a paid exhibition, unlike past editions where it was only accessible to the media, watchmakers and industry professionals.
Julia Roberts honored at Chopard presentation
American actress Julia Roberts made a prominent appearance at Watches & Wonders 2023 as a Chopard ambassador. Julia was chosen to represent the brand because of her commitment to social and environmental causes. In fact, Chopard has been using 100% ethical gold in its watches and jewelry since 2018. Its next goal is to use a minimum of 80% recycled steel - a material dubbed Lucent Steel - in its timepieces by the end of the year.
An indoor fountain
The Jaeger-LeCoultre booth at Watches & Wonders 2023 was one of the most impressive of the event. Indeed, it was inspired by the concept of the Golden Number, a mystical number represented by the letter φ (Phi) and recognized as a universal signifier of beauty. The water of the fountain, a symbol of creativity, served as a screen on which a captivating digital show was projected. Intensifying the impression of movement, the play of lights, images and sounds told the story of man's quest to define the universal laws of Beauty. The brand's iconic Reverso watch design was also based on the Golden Ratio principle, and Watches & Wonders 2023 provided an opportunity for Jaeger-LeCoultre to present new models from this collection.
An immersive experience in an enchanted forest
The luxury jewelry brand, Van Cleef & Arpels, presented its new watch collection, which is inspired by astronomy and the universe. The brand transformed its booth into a forest filled with stone trees in vibrant hues on a colorful wallpaper of flowers and butterflies. The theme of this collection was the starry night. The watches presented on the Van Cleef & Arpels stand were therefore adorned with precious stones evoking sparkling constellations in a dark sky.
Fantasy of time
The space was designed by artist Clément Vieille and presented a playful atmosphere with whimsical sculptures made of woven carbon fiber plates that swung and swayed. Hermès presented its new watch collection, which embodies the brand's elegance and craftsmanship, including several of the brand's new H08 watches with colorful straps hanging from one of the installations. The Hermès booth was a true delight for watch and jewelry lovers, offering unique creations reflecting the elegant and timeless aesthetic.
In conclusion, the Watches & Wonders 2023 edition was a real success for the fine watch and jewelry industry. Visitors were able to discover unique creations, presented on the stands of each House. Many other brands unveiled incredible pieces, demonstrating the excellence and creativity of the fine watch and jewelry industry. Roger Dubuis' robots displayed the brand's timepieces, while some of them prepared a cocktail while the enthusiast waited for his turn. As for Hublot, the brand immersed its audience in a huge blue sphere, projecting hypnotic images on the ceiling. The exhibition was a must-see event for all watch and jewelry enthusiasts, allowing them to discover the latest trends and the most innovative creations in the industry.
