With 50 exhibiting brands
Watches and Wonders Geneva has achieved record-breaking attendance and reinforced its position as the premier event in the Swiss watchmaking industry
With over 55,000 visitors throughout the week (April 1-7, 2025), the event has firmly established itself as a “must-attend” occasion, highlighting the growing global interest in Swiss watchmaking. The public days and the engaging “In The City” programme were significant successes, showcasing the industry’s vitality and innovation.
This year’s Watches and Wonders Geneva, held at the Palexpo in Geneva City, saw a remarkable increase in participation, with over 55,000 visitors—a 12% rise compared to last year. The event also welcomed 6,000 retail representatives (+5%) and 1,600 journalists (+7%) and sold 23,000 tickets on the public days alone (+21%). The impact extended beyond the event venue, with 43,000 hotel room nights booked (+17%) and 12,000 retail meetings held (+21%).
These numbers reflect the growing importance of Watches and Wonders as both an industry showcase and a major international event.
Cyrille Vigneron, President of the Watches and Wonders Geneva Foundation, the organiser of the annual event, praised the event for bringing the watchmaking world together. “Watches and Wonders has established itself not only as a must-attend inter-professional event but also as a platform for expression for the watchmaking Maisons,” Vigneron said.
“It allows them to express their universe, share beautiful creations, and fuel a common passion for craftsmanship.”
The event was marked by many new releases, ranging from iconic collections to groundbreaking innovations. Many brands celebrated their rich heritage, while others focused on the latest trends, such as smaller-sized watches, vibrant dial colours, and intricate dial textures. The growing emphasis on skeleton watches underscored the industry’s love for precision engineering, with several new world records and premieres unveiled at the event.
Trends and more
Women’s watches, particularly jewellery timepieces, were also a significant highlight, as brands explored new ways to blend style and technology in timekeeping. The reduction in watch sizes opened the door for even more creativity, and attendees were treated to various designs that catered to a wide range of tastes and preferences.
High-profile celebrities, including Simone Ashley, Usain Bolt, Roger Federer, Carl Lewis, and Hans Zimmer, amplified the excitement around Watches and Wonders Geneva 2025. Their attendance generated added engagement across social media platforms, where the hashtag #watchesandwonders2025 reached an estimated audience of over 700 million people, marking a 17% increase in reach from previous years.
Influencers, journalists, and YouTubers also contributed to the buzz, engaging their audiences with live content and exclusive behind-the-scenes access to the event’s latest launches.
One of the standout features of this year’s Watches and Wonders was its focus on younger generations. Ten thousand students could explore the world of watchmaking by attending the event or participating in school visits and vocational education presentations. The SwissSkills 2025 qualifications also received significant attention, offering young people a glimpse into the future of horological artisanry.
The “In The City” programme proved successful, with workshops and guided tours selling out rapidly. The Watchmaking Village was a hub of activity, attracting many students and schools from across Geneva. The evening boutique animations kept the energy high, leading into a lively Bon Entendeur concert that brought together watch enthusiasts of all ages to celebrate springtime and Swiss watchmaking.
50 exhibiting brands
Image: The Raymond Weil booth at Watches and Wonders Geneva 2025. Credit: Watches and Wonders Geneva Foundation
