News 
Watches and Wonders Geneva concluded its 2023 edition with results exceeding expectations and best forecasts.
All of its indicators are well above previous editions. The Salon confirms its trajectory as well as its position on the world watchmaking scene.
The innovations were numerous, as were the expectations. Watches and Wonders stepped up its creativity, innovation and openness in order to keep pace with a rapidly growing global watch market (24.8 billion Swiss francs in 2022).
The Geneva-based Salon closed with record figures, with 43,000 unique visitors (22,000 in 2022) over the whole week, 5,400 retailers, 125 nationalities, and 35,000 overnight stays, while the number of end-consumers doubled during the first five days.
The number of shares on social media exceeded all expectations, with 1.8 million posts mentioning #watchesandwonders and an estimated reach of over 600 million people – more than half a billion – an all-time high.
An increase in the number of business visitors
The press recorded an increase of over 50% in attendance with the return of the Asian markets, i.e. a total of 1,400 journalists present in Geneva, with 13,000 registrations for the 1,800 Touch & Feel sessions enabling them to discover and handle the year’s new releases. Not to mention the 2,600 journalists who were able to follow the entire program online.
Retailers racked up more than 8,000 appointments, confirming the unfailing appeal of watchmaking in all its markets, particularly in Europe, which alone accounted for 70% of visitors.
The general public responded massively
The last two days of the fair (1 and 2 April) were open to the public, via an online ticketing system. All 12,000 tickets were sold out before the weekend started. Aside from the statistics, Watches and Wonders has proven its appeal to the younger generation: 25% of the tickets sold were purchased by people under 25, with an average ticket-holder age of 35. These visitors were particularly attracted to the LAB experience, which offered them a vision of the future of watchmaking. The Salon thus brings together and federates two to three generations at the same watchmaking crossroads.
“In the City”
In parallel with the main show, Watches and Wonders was also deployed for the first time in the heart of the host city. Free admission and accessibility were the key words of this “In the City” watch tour.
The public was able to wander freely through the lower streets of the city centre and see the “WandW” totems marking the participation of various boutiques that had prepared a certain number of surprises including historical timepieces, demonstration workshops, opportunities to chat with watchmakers and other new features. To spice up the sense of discovery, an interactive watchmaking rally was designed especially for the occasion. Thanks to QR codes scattered along the route, the public was able to discover the participating points of sale and emblematic locations.
On the evening of Thursday 30 March, all the participating boutiques exceptionally remained open until 9 pm. An original programme was put together for this evening. Five stages were set up along the streets, with entertainment provided by artists, dancers and musicians. At the Pont de la Machine, a talk on “Geneva, Switzerland and watchmaking” was open to all. Various food trucks placed at the main crossroads of the city ensured everyone was able to eat at their convenience. The Avener’s concert drew crowds to the quayside and got Genevans and international visitors dancing to the rhythm of watch movements.
Watches and Wonders has more than ever consolidated its position as the international watchmaking summit. See you in spring 2024!
April 06, 2023