The annual Geneva Watch Days 2025 took place successfully in Geneva, marking its sixth edition. This year not only set a new record for the number of participating brands and visitors but also reached new heights in creative displays and industry cohesion. A total of 66 watch brands showcased their masterpieces, an increase of 14 from last year, attracting over 17,000 visitors, including nearly 1,900 industry professionals, around 300 retailers, and 500 media representatives and influencers. The main venue, Rotonde du Mont-Blanc, expanded to 800 square meters, allowing attendees to deeply appreciate more than 150 watch pieces from 59 display cases, featuring both new releases and iconic timepieces.
One of the most eye-catching highlights of the exhibition is the special exhibition titled Expertise, which showcases the diverse aspects of contemporary watchmaking by bringing together art and craftsmanship. This allows the public to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the aesthetics of movements and innovative design. Additionally, there is a dedicated event area named Culture Club, organized in collaboration with multiple professional institutions, including the Foundation de la Haute Horlogerie, Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève, Horopedia, and The Watch Library, providing tours and brand introductions for over 200 participants to deepen their knowledge of watch culture.
The competition, noted for its intriguing challenges and technical prowess, attracted 40 participants who competed by fine-tuning the Sellita movement. The results of the competition will be announced on September 29 by COSC, following tests on the movement’s precision to determine the final standings. Meanwhile, the GlassBox venue has transformed into a hub for dialogue, hosting nearly 25 seminars and brand presentations, including four Power Breakfast sessions, allowing brand CEOs to engage with the public and enhance industry transparency and participation.
The charity event was also one of the highlights of this year’s program. Organized by PHILLIPS in collaboration with Bacs & Russo, the auction raised a total of CHF 185,900, with the most eye-catching item being a custom watch box from MB&F, which contained 32 miniature figurine artworks and sold for CHF 80,000. The proceeds from this event will be donated to the Geneva Watchmaking School and the Pierre Amstutz Foundation, aimed at nurturing the next generation of watchmakers. Since its establishment in 2023, the auction has accumulated a total donation amount exceeding CHF 403,900.
On September 6th, the traditional Saturday brunch organized by Fondation de la Haute Horlogerie attracted around 150 watch enthusiasts, complete with a trivia game to liven up the atmosphere. That same day, a lecture co-hosted by four institutions successfully provided attendees with deep insights, covering concepts of time, innovative craftsmanship, and the latest trends in the industry. The evening social event created a relaxed vibe for the exhibition, with the opening party drawing over 1,200 attendees, creating a vibrant scene.
In terms of digital reach, the Geneva Watch Days website recorded over 159,000 views this year, attracting nearly 29,800 unique visitors, with the homepage alone reaching 32,000 views, showcasing a high level of public interest in the event details. The exhibition also continued to promote sustainable transport, providing 210 bike taxi services this year, transporting a total of 317 people over more than 338 kilometers, representing an increase of over 30% compared to last year.
The opening press conference was held for the first time at the iconic Palais Eynard in Geneva, attracting a large media presence and support from local officials such as Delphine Bachmann and Christina Kitsos. During the event’s wrap-up, Jean-Christophe Babin, Chairman of the Geneva Watch Days Association and CEO of Bvlgari Group, stated that despite uncertainties in the external market, this year’s exhibition exceeded expectations. It successfully gathered 66 brands and partners from around the globe, proving that the event has become an essential part of the international watch scene.
Geneva Watch Days was initiated in 2020 by eight pioneering brands, including Breitling, Bvlgari, De Bethune, Girard-Perregaux, H. Moser & Cie., MB&F, Ulysse Nardin, and Urwerk. It has now evolved into an independently held annual event supported by the Geneva city government and various industry organizations. This year’s participating brands include renowned names such as Zenith, Tag Heuer, Jacob & Co., and Greubel Forsey, alongside several independent watchmaking brands, showcasing the diversity and creative strength of the industry.
