In 2022, our hometown of Eugene, Oregon played host to the largest track and field event on the planet, and it was an absolute honor to host an international community that represented the exact thing for which the city is known for.
Just as Eugene is indisputably Tracktown, Geneva is Watch City, making it the perfect backdrop and host for Watches and Wonders. This is what we noticed while strolling the town...
Geneva is the world capital of punching above its weight. Geneva is the 107th largest city in Europe and yet is hailed as the world capital of diplomacy, the financial capital of mainland Europe, and of course, the nucleus of the watch industry.
Geneva embraces its thriving industry and respected name in the watch community. When it comes to having a healthy relationship with homegrown business and industry, Oregon could learn a lot from the Swiss. It’s true the fashion houses of horology spend millions of dollars transforming blank convention center space into one-of-a-kind retail experiences, but just as notable is the efforts the local government is making to highlight its own investments into watchmaking and its support of programs that attract would-be watchmakers into an industry that is facing a global talent shortage. The investment and the passion for the industry is felt as you walk the streets, admiring the architecture of the buildings and the craftsmanship of Swiss-made timekeeping.
If you go next year, don’t miss out on Thursday evening, when each of the dozens upon dozens of watch boutiques in the city’s retail core open their doors for open houses. You can drink champagne and watch extraordinary artisans hand-paint watch dials, set gems, or assemble movements–all while you drool over the most impressive watches on the planet.
Naturally, Watches and Wonder is the World Capital of Holy Grail Watches spotted in the Wild. We counted six wearers of Daytona pandas, two Patek Grand complications, and a rainbow of vintage GMTs. We also caught sight of some nice gem-set offerings from various brands, and every color and vintage piece imaginable. A true watch lovers paradise, especially considering all of these were seen on people wandering around Geneva–not just on the convention floor of Watches and Wonder.
Much like strolling by stunning lakeside views of the iconic Mt. Blanc, seeing your dream watch in the wild is an everyday occurrence in Geneve, and we loved every minute of it!
