Photos and words by Thomas (watchesandwords, September 2026)

 

Geneva Watch Days 2026 – a Strong and Successful Festival

Fortunately, there are the Geneva Watch Days (GWD), and i’m delighted to say that, since my first visit in 2022, they have now become firmly established. And that is a huge achievement for the industry, the manufacturers, the visitors and, without a doubt, for the city of Geneva, Geneva Tourism and the region as well. The GWD get better year by year, and it is free for visitors and open to the public. Looking back, it is hard to imagine why GWD struggled so much on several occasions before, particularly in the early year. Jean-Christophe Babin, President and Co-founder of GWD had to overcome doubt, scepticism, rejection (during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic) and a great deal of debate in the first and second years. It seems that these challenges have finally been overcome, and this is great. It has started with a handful of 8 brands with courage and now has grown to 71 participating brands.

More Members, More Visitors, More Public

i, for one, am so glad that GWD exists and that the festival has established itself. It is the more enjoyable, more open and more relaxed event in the industry and in Switzerland – thank you GWD for 2026, which has been the biggest and most successful year yet. Between 2022 and 2026, the event has become more interesting, more open, more enjoyable and friendlier every year. And, of course, it has also become busier in terms of the number of people attending.

Beauty, Mechanical Art, and so Many Good Moments – More than a Watch Fair

My perspective and my personal mantra in the context of watch(making) events therefore remains the same: there are far too many watches, so please, fewer watches; instead, please focus even more on top-class pieces and on what really matters. And, to my delight, i saw some very beautiful top-class timepieces, met wonderful people, and visited cool workshops and talks. But before i get round to my personal favourite watches, i’d like to make one thing clear: the Geneva Watch Days feature some absolutely brilliant events, workshops, exhibitions, panel discussions, breakfasts, auctions, quizzes, and talks… and the whole atmosphere is very relaxed and open, all taking place at the loveliest time of year (September in Geneva).

My Selection from the Geneva Watch Days 2026

My selection and photo report showcases the watches i found most important and beautiful. This selection is by no means exhaustive, nor is it likely to be balanced. (It’s a completely subjective and personal selection; it’s simply a matter of my own taste); in alphabetical order:

 

Antoine Preziuso, gold or platinum wristwatch Heritage Horloger, wonderful traditional watchmaking from the master of independent watchmaking “Mr. Tourbillion” and his family

 

Corum, The Golden Book, the return of the Corum avantgarde and style

 

Daniel Roth, Extra Plat rose gold gilt, time only watch, what a beautiful design

 

Ferdinand Berthoud, FB3 SPC Chronometer, all for precision and so beautiful in rose gold

 

Genus x Tad Kozh, enamel work by Matteo Stauffacher, focus on a wonderful handcraft

 

Girard Perregaux Laureato 50 Tourbillon, delightful and complicated execution of the classic Laureato

 

Greubel Forsey GMT Balancier Convex, watchmaking that leaves me speechless every time

 

Keris Meca Tradition, this is the proof that hands and proper time reading is simply not necessary for a piece of watchmaking art

 

Krayon Parhelion and Astraea, the epitome of beauty

 

LeRoy Vox Temporis Tourbillon, the watch i wanted to take home the most

 

Luca Soprana time only wristwatch cal. LSTO, this is watchmaking

 

Maison Alcée x MB&F Nostromo, an unexpected collaboration

 

Renaud Tixier Monday watch Organica, highest level of watchmaking and handcraft

Schwarz Etienne 1902 Petite seconde heure doree (in company with the 1902 Synergy Peter Speake), because of the black and white contrast

 

Trilobe, Chateau Trente-Deux, wonderful sportive watch with a deep red dial.

 

Finally, i will end my GWD 2026 journey with three brands that haven’t been around for very long, but which i find quite impressive: Beda´a (Angles Guichets), Buci (Chapter 2 Nouvelle), Byrne (Gyro dial, two visions) – and they all begin with the letter B (which is purely coincidental).

C’est tout pour aujourd’hui – i’m already looking forward to the Geneva Watch Days 2027.