Watches and Culture's 2022 programme

In line with Watches and Culture’s mission to promote the artistic and cultural value of the watch as a demonstration of excellence, the programme is structured around three pillars: The Gate, The Forum and The Academy. The many and varied events are aimed at professionals as well as amateurs, from the most knowledgeable to novice.

For those eager to better acquaint themselves with the many aspects and “mysteries” of watchmaking, Watches and Culture has developed The Gate. This initiative first took shape as an Instagram account – @watches__cltr – a new touchpoint aimed squarely at audiences who are interested in watches and active on social media. In addition, the Watch Essentials app – a gateway to watchmaking culture – has been updated and refreshed.

The second key project for the public at large is the Time Design exhibition. After premiering at Watches and Wonders, it will go on view from 14 April to 8 May 2022 at Pont de la Machine, at the heart of Geneva’s watchmaking tradition. This unique exhibition will take visitors on a journey into creative watch design through the twentieth century to the present day, and beyond. Close to a hundred exceptional watches will be presented in custom-made showcases. Ranging from sport watches to jewellery watches, each has made its mark on watchmaking history. The exhibition will also pay a special tribute to the remarkable creativity of legendary watch designer, Gérald Genta.

A platform for sharing ideas and information, The Forum is one of the major initiatives from Watches and Culture. Each year, it examines a theme of relevance to the industry. The theme for 2022 is sustainability and will be extensively developed at seminars, round tables and with the launch of a new website – www.watchesandculture.org/forum – that will regroup comprehensive information on the year’s theme, with articles, videos, podcasts and other original content. The high point of this initiative will be the in-person Watch Forum. Exclusively for professionals in the industry, the first edition will be held on 13 September at Maison de la Paix in Geneva.

Watches and Culture’s educational role is centred around The Academy, which delivers training and certification programmes in 11 languages and across all the main markets. In 2022, The Academy is extending its programmes with new modules on sustainability while ramping up remote learning in response to public health guidance. As part of efforts to bring young people into contact with the values and expertise of watchmaking, Watches and Culture is strengthening ties with the academic world. Over the coming months, it will give a series of lectures at universities including Sciences Po in France and the University of Hong Kong.

Through these various initiatives, Watches and Culture intends to make its mark on the world of watches, both to represent its enduring values and to educate the general public, at all levels of knowledge, on the most important issues facing the profession today.

March 31, 2022