SIHH 2019: who’s in – and out – at this year’s Geneva watch fair
The event, which will align its dates with Baselworld from next year, starts on January 14 with debutant Bovet, but without leading brand Van Cleef & Arpels
The luxury watch industry and its two biggest annual shows have seen numerous shake-ups in recent years.
We will have to wait another year to find out exactly what the new arrangement will mean for the industry, but with SIHH 2019 opening its doors at the Palexpo convention centre from January 14 to 17, we take a look at some of the changes we are expecting to see in Geneva this month.
Notable absence of jewellery watchmaker
For years, Cartier, Piaget and Van Cleef & Arpels were the holy trinity of jewellery watchmaking attending SIHH.
However, Van Cleef & Arpels announced its departure months ahead of this show, creating an absence of timepieces that combine whimsy and romance with complex and innovative watchmaking techniques.
Van Cleef & Arpels’ signature feminine interpretation of timekeeping will also be much missed, which means we are likely to see fewer watches dedicated to women on show.