Watches & Wonders cancels physical event for 2021 Geneva edition

Watches & Wonders, formerly known as the Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie, has decided to cancel the 2021 edition of its exhibition of luxury watches in Switzerland.

The on-ground event was slated to take place from April 7-13, 2021 at the Palexpo in Geneva, and include some of the world’s leading watchmakers including Cartier, A.Lange & Söhne and Vacheron Constantin, among others.

“The decision, taken in close consultation with the principal stakeholders, is seen as the most responsible course of action, given the current health crisis and uncertainties as to how the situation may evolve,” said the Foundation de la Haute Horlogerie (FHH) – organizers of the show – in a statement.

This is the second year in a row that the annual event, considered one of the world’s most prestigious luxury watch trade fairs, has been canceled following a similar decision taken earlier this year.

However, the organisers confirmed that the event will, similar to the 2020 edition, still go ahead as a digital-only event across the same days.

Read: Watches & Wonders Geneva cancels 2020 edition

“In order to ensure business continuity, the decision has also been taken to ramp up the fair’s digital component and roll out an upgraded version of the watchesandwonders.com platform that was successfully introduced in April this year. Additional services and features will be introduced, including live chats and streaming, so that the event can be enjoyed all over the world.”

All the brands which participated in the 2020 edition will also participate in the 2021 edition. It will include the likes of Chanel, Patek Philippe, Hermès, Rolex and Montblanc.

“The Exhibitor Committee wishes to invite other brands to join this digital edition where up to 50 of the industry’s representative names will present their latest creations, expertise and unique identity.”

Although Watches & Wonders cancelled the physical event for 2020 it did go ahead orgnaise an on-site event in Shanghai earlier this year from September 9-13.

Read: Five new luxury watches unveiled at Watches & Wonders in China

HourUniverse, the rebranded Baselworld, which is the other major Swiss annual watch and jewelry fair, had previously confirmed an on-ground event for April 8-12, 2021.