The 13 maisons appearing at Watches&Wonders may have individual characteristics, but they have one thing in common: recognition that Asian timepiece buyers appreciate the watchmaking process as much as the finished product.
"Watches&Wonders provides a rare opportunity to meet the creators and craftsmen behind fine timepieces, and a chance to experience firsthand the cultural heritage of one of Europe's most exquisite traditions," says Fabienne Lupo, chairwoman and managing director of the Fondation de la Haute Horlogerie, organiser of the event, which allows guests to see the watchmaking process.
Fine watchmaking typically involves 40 different specialities, and these are showcased through the expertise demonstrated in a special area at the exhibition.
Highly specialised craftsmen from the exhibiting maisons will demonstrate their skills at benches to give visitors a glimpse of the expertise inside the world of fine watchmaking.
Three watchmakers, each from a renowned brand, are assembling three iconic movements. This job requires considerable dexterity because the components must fit precisely. The watchmaker from IWC Schaffhausen is working on a Portuguese Sidérale Scafusia movement, the maison's most complicated.
Panerai's watchmaker is assembling the latest of the famous Regatta movements, which counts down the last five minutes before a sailing regatta starts - an operation that requires a specific and complex gear train.
