Watches&Wonders 2015: the 3.0 version kept all its promises
For the third consecutive year, Watches&Wonders delivered on all counts.
In what is a challenging economic climate, it played its role as the foremost Haute Horlogerie exhibition in Asia to perfection. Throughout its four days, the twelve exhibiting Maisons welcomed some 20,000 visitors (+25% on 2014) from across the continent including 700 representatives of Asian media. This audience of seasoned journalists and enthusiastic customers, some travelling from as far away as Japan or Australia, others from Mainland China taking advantage of the Golden Week, were warmly welcomed by the manufactures. These crowds of visitors confirmed the appeal of technical and precious watchmaking for a public eager to discover the year’s new creations, and to experience first-hand the singular world of time measurement. They were joined by celebrities who, as the brands’ VIP guests, were invited to share a special moment with these enlightened enthusiasts.
A unique experience that must take us on a journey through the centuries, and through art and expertise.
Fabienne Lupo
Fabienne Lupo, Chairwoman and Managing Director of the Fondation de la Haute Horlogerie, organiser of Watches&Wonders, reminded guests at the official opening how “Fine Watchmaking expresses itself as exceptional timepieces, but is equally a unique experience that must take us on a journey through the centuries, and through art and expertise.” Sharing the cultural significance of watchmaking is a vocation of the fair, relayed by each of the exhibiting Maisons and made possible thanks to a smartphone application that took the event firmly into the digital age. The public that flocked to the 3.0 version of Watches&Wonders were able to enjoy multiple experiences: guided tours, personalised presentations, watchmaking initiations, talks, face-to-face meetings with watchmakers and craftsmen, and other exhibitions.
During these four days, the Maisons at Watches&Wonders could demonstrate the full measure of their creativity. Booths that reflected each brand’s individual personality were the showcase in which to present truly exceptional products. And because Watches&Wonders is now an established date in the Fine Watchmaking calendar, it was also the venue for numerous unveilings of timepieces which had been specially developed for the occasion. Without doubt, Watches&Wonders 2015 fulfilled its role to impart a certain vision of Fine Watchmaking.
WATCHES&WONDERS Haute Horlogerie Exhibition in Asia
Exhibiting Maisons : A. Lange & Söhne, Baume & Mercier, Cartier, IWC, Jaeger-LeCoultre, Montblanc, Officine Panerai, Piaget, Richard Mille, Roger Dubuis, Vacheron Constantin, Van Cleef & Arpels.
Markets: Asia-Pacific, Australia, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Korea, Macau, Mainland China, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam.
