20.04.2026

A Record-Breaking Edition That Establishes Geneva as the World Capital of Watchmaking

The 2026 edition closes with a highly positive outcome and outstanding results. A record number of exhibiting brands, exceptional attendance, and vastly expanded international reach confirm the event more than ever as a major cultural player and a true emblem of the watchmaking ecosystem. Driven by the event’s momentum, the enthusiasm of younger generations, and the unprecedented programming of the Montreux Jazz Club, Geneva reaffirms its status as the world capital of watchmaking. Innovation, emotion and transmission resonate far beyond the event itself.

The 2026 edition raises the game, driven by steadily increasing figures: nearly 60,000 unique visitors (+9%), 25,000 tickets sold over the three public days (+9%), 1,750 journalists (+9%), 6,000 retailers, and more than 10,000 people who took over the city centre throughout the week. Registrations for product presentations, guided tours and other brands activities were snapped up, with some sessions fully booked even before opening day. Younger generations were also out in force. Far beyond a simple showcase, the salon is asserting itself as a true cultural venue, where experience, emotion and passion are shared and passed on. According to Cyrille Vigneron, President of Watches and Wonders Geneva Foundation: “The success of Watches and Wonders Geneva shows that watchmaking can be exclusive but not excluding, inviting but not banal.”

The Salon brings together in Geneva the very best of the watchmaking industry: brands, retailers, media and clients from around the world gathered around major launches, exceptional timepieces and world premieres. Driven by the presence of numerous celebrities – Federica Brignone, Patrick Dempsey, Roger Federer, George Russell, Jannik Sinner, as well as American star Usher – by extensive media coverage and by striking creations, the 2026 edition generated extraordinary international resonance, reaching nearly 1 billion people, i.e. 900 million (+29%), with the hashtag #watchesandwonders2026.

A Salon in full effervescence, resolutely experience-driven, expressed through numerous spaces dedicated to innovation and craft demonstrations. The event also strengthens its educational dimension, addressing families and younger generations in particular. The Tic Tac area, the workshops of the Watchmaking Village and many fun activities met with resounding success. Geneva vibrated to the rhythm of a Salon that has become a true place of transmission, emotion and discovery of today’s and tomorrow’s watchmaking.

True stars of the Salon, the new creations and iconic pieces captured all eyes. The 2026 edition highlights the fundamentals of watchmaking: two- or three-hand watches, ultra-thin pieces, skeleton movements, vintage inspiration and more compact dimensions. Models are designed to be gender-neutral, while colour emerges as a key differentiating factor. On the technical front, chronographs and perpetual calendars dominate the complications, the tourbillon continues to fascinate, métiers d’art stand out, and titanium, steel and ceramic establish themselves as reference materials.

The event reaches a new milestone by taking over the city centre: the unprecedented programming of the Montreux Jazz Club was sold out every evening, spotlighting young talents from the music scene such as Geneva-based artist Vendredi sur Mer and the Brussels quartet Tukan. More than 5,000 people attended live concerts. The Watchmaking Village, buzzing boutiques and a festive atmosphere set the heartbeat of Geneva to the rhythm of watchmaking for an entire week. The traditional Thursday night opening drew record crowds, transforming the city as never before.

See you in spring 2027 for the next edition!