Today it starts! Watches & Wonders 2020 is itself a novelty, in many ways… Former known as Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie, or short SIHH, it was a watch fair that aroused the curiosity of the world in the first weeks of every year.
But things have changed this year. Supposed to take place since today at Palexpo Geneva, the fair was moved to the online platform. The presentations will be made online. So instead of ironing my shirts and preparing my pins, scarfs and ties, I will just pour me another hot chocolate and take my comfortable sit in front of my laptop. In pyjamas…
The new realities dramatically shaped and reshaped the vision of the show. Some of the brands will not even participate. Even if it was their first year of participation. But with closed ateliers and workshops, with personnel sent home, who can prepare for a show, even online? Some brands are heavily affected and Watches & Wonders 2020 is the first to massively show publicly the wounds of the industry. Yes, the insiders know the situation, but the vast majority don’t.
Some brands will bring something, not necessarily heavy novelties, preferring to keep the major innovations and pieces for the next year. Or at least until the situation will be better.
But we are lucky, we are not completely widowed by beautiful pieces. Several brands will bring exceptional pieces. So stay tuned. I am trying to present you, virtually, all the pieces.
The schedule in the next days will be quite chaotic. I will publish as many press releases as possible and I try to bring you the presentations for all the great pieces. I will miss being there and send you live wrist shots and wrist rolls. But that is the situations and we all have to live with it.
After the travelling interdiction will be raised, I will visit some brands to bring you my own impressions and media.
Is the virtual Watches & Wonders 2020 a desperate choice to revive a bit the industry. I don’t think so. Major brands and high-end luxury was not really affected by COVID19 (comparing with the effects on other industries). I think it is more a sign of hope. An effort to show that life will go one and the beauty cannot be stoped to shine.
So enjoy Watch & Wonders!
