14.04.2026 - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Official Inauguration of Watches and Wonders Geneva 2026

Geneva reinforces its status as the world capital of watchmaking

The official inauguration of Watches and Wonders Geneva 2026 took place on Tuesday, April 14 at 11:30 a.m. in the Palexpo auditorium, in the presence of political authorities from the City and Canton of Geneva, representatives of the economic community, and executives from the 65 exhibiting brands.

Nearly 300 guests - including Geneva authorities, official representatives, international journalists, partners, and service providers involved in staging the event - attended the ceremony marking the launch of the 2026 edition.

The ceremony opened with an address by Cyrille VIGNERON, President of Watches and Wonders Geneva Foundation, organizer of the event. He reaffirmed Geneva’s status as the world capital of watchmaking and highlighted the role of Watches and Wonders Geneva as a cultural actor, “a culture that needs to be nurtured, transmitted and transformed in order to keep it alive.” He added: “The Salon is as a platform that balances with competition and cooperation.”

The State Councillor, Nathalie FONTANET, in charge of the Department of Finance, Human Resources and External Affairs, used her address to highlight the event’s growing international reach and the strength of Geneva’s watchmaking ecosystem, which combines heritage, innovation and resilience in an uncertain global environment. “This unique concentration of skills, expertise and innovation constitutes an unrivalled advantage, recognised far beyond our borders”. She added: “Far more than just a showcase, it is a true hub for exchange, encounters and forward-thinking. It is here that tomorrow’s trends take shape, perspectives are shared, ideas are exchanged and ambitions are forged.”

The ceremony concluded with a ribbon-cutting, bringing together on-stage public authorities and executives from the 65 brands participating in this new edition.

Official Speeches:

Nathalie FONTANET, State Councillor in charge of the Department of Finance, Human Resources and External Affairs)

Cyrille VIGNERON, President of the Watches and Wonders Geneva Foundation

Distinguished Guests Present

Ana ROCH, President of the Parliement of the Canton of Geneva

Helene BUDLIGER ARTIEDA, State Secretary, State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO)

Alfonso GOMEZ, Mayor of the City of Geneva

Marjorie DE CHASTONAY, Executive Council Member of the City of Geneva

Laurent JIMAJA, Mayor of the municipality of Grand-Saconnex 

Michel POMATTO, Executive Council Member of the municipality of Grand-Saconnex

Valerie TISSOT-BUCHOUX, Executive Council Member of the municipality of Grand-Saconnex

Carole STUDER, President of the municipal Council of Grand-Saconnex

Philippe RICHARD, Secretary General of the Department of Economy, Innovation, Employment and Heritage (Vaud)

François LONGCHAMP , Chairman of Palexpo

Claude MEMBREZ, CEO of Palexpo

Matthieu HUMAIR, CEO of the Watches and Wonders Geneva Foundation

Members of the board of the Watches and Wonders Geneva Foundation

Members of the Exhibiting Committee of Watches and Wonders Geneva 

CEOs of the 65 Exhibiting Brands