What We Saw: Day 1 at Watches and Wonders 2022

After a two-year hiatus due to what was an unforeseen global pandemic, Geneva, Switzerland’s unofficial Watch Week is back, and the Dubai Watch Week team is here with “boots on the ground” to share what it was we experienced. 

First Up: People

Yes, we remember people. We remember their laughter. We remember their joy. And we remember how much they – and we – love to be around other people. 

Back in November at the first in-person edition of Dubai Watch Week, people came from far and wide to gather together with a common interest: horology. This week, at the first official in-person edition of Watches and Wonders in Geneva, many of those same people (and a number of others) gathered again. The sounds of different languages, of glasses joined in celebration, and of old friends clapping one another on the back filled our ears with delight, but what we saw with our own eyes was just as special and just as momentous. The days of watch fairs are back, and people couldn’t be happier. 

Of Course, There Were Watches 

The halls of the Palexpo looked ever-so-slightly different than in years’ past when the expo center hosted the SIHH. The overall feel was the same, however the presence of the Rolex, Patek Philippe, Tudor, and Chopard multi-level booths were a stark contrast to what the hall had looked like in previous years. But while the booths do get attention – for about a hot minute – it’s what’s in them that matter most to those in attendance. 

Here are just some of the bright, beautiful, innovative, complicated, and interesting novelties we saw on day one of Watches and Wonders: 

·       The Hublot Big Bang Integral Ceramic in Four Colors – an integrated ceramic bracelet and case on a Big Bang Integral in soft, earthy shades like blue indigo, sky blue, sand beige, and jungle green? Count us in. 

·       The Rolex Yacht-Master 42 in yellow gold – known now as the ref. 226658 (which joins the previously released ref. 226659 in white gold), this new version offers Rolex fans a piece that’s bound to be seen on wrists for years to come. The contrasting colors of the soft 18K yellow gold case and its black Oysterflex bracelet are appeasing to the eye without being flashy. 

·       The Patek Philippe 5270P, green dial perpetual calendar – Green is still a theme and it’s a color we’re seeing a fair amount of here at Watches and Wonders, but this particular green is accentuated by the complications on the dial’s display, all of which jump out at the onlooker from a stunning, high-polished platinum case. 

·       Van Cleef & Arpels’ “Poetic Complications” – From floral motifs to delicate dancers, VCA, yet again, blows us away with their six new “Poetic Complications” novelties on display at Watches & Wonders. As they often do, the watches in this collection represent nature in its most beautiful and poetic form, via blooming flowers and a fluttering ballerina tutu. 

Stay tuned as we bring you more coverage from this exciting week in Geneva!