Next week, Geneva will beat at the rythmn of beautiful timepieces. The 25th Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie (SIHH)will open its doors and some of the most amazing Watch manufacturers. 16 brands will exhibit their new creations in a very luxury environment, that only happy fews will discover as it is on invitation only.
A House full of (beautiful) cards
The SIHH is Christmas after Christmas for the Watchmaking professionals. every year it is the first big appointment in all diaries. From the 16 brands presented in the Salon, 12 belong to the Richemont Group:
- A. Lange & Sohne
- Baume & Mercier
- IWC
- Jaeger-LeCoultre
- Montblanc
- Panerai
- Piaget
- Ralph Lauren
- Roger Dubuis
- Vacheron Constantin
- Van Cleef & Arpels
Outside the Richemont Group, there are guest brands that are also incredible legendary watchmakers:
Last year, the 2014 SIHH was an amazing edition. With 14’000 visitors, last year edition increased by 9%. There were 1’300 journalists which is an increase of 12%. More and more Asian journalists travel to Geneva beginning of January to cover the Salon. On a huge 35’000m2 exhibition area, it is probably one of the biggest private trade show in the world. According to Ms. Fabienne Lupo, the fair represents a 8 digit investment, so it is a considerable effort to promote what Switzerland has at its best. For Brands it is a considerable effort as well. Currently there are 3 major salons for watchmaking in the world:
- SIHH in Geneva – every January
- Baselworld in Basel – end of March
- Watches and Wonders in Hong Kong – end of September
By far, the SIHH is the most exclusive and the most luxury one. It is not only the ambiance and the decor but also the conditions. There is a high-standard restaurant, the press area is purely amazing. As a journalist, everything is offered at your disposal to do your job. The evening gala usually on Thursday, is an amazing moment to celebrate watchmaking, meet good friends and network. All wrapped in amazing risottos, Grisons meat, Swiss cheese and loads of champaign.
2014 SIHH was a good year for watchmakers
Last year’s edition was an amazing year for business. A few weeks after the salon, all exhibit brands announced a great incoming year. Parmigiani crossed the line of 6’000 watches allowing a sales progression of 17% which is an amazing achievement for its category. Audemars Piguet increased sales and reached CHF 700 million (vs CHF 600 million the previous year). It allow the brand to sell 35’000 watches. Jaeger-LeCoultre created 100 new jobs in Switzerland last year and Richard Mille reached between CHF 135 to 150 million for 3’500 watches sold. According to the WorldWatchReport, 2014 represented for the entire industry a growth of 12% and everything indicates that 2015 will follow the same path.
2015 edition expects around 12’500 visitors and each brand will present mind-blowing projects from watchmaking complications to extraordinary poetry.
See here our full review of new launches per brand: Pre-SIHH, what to expect.
When passion meets luxury, only one word can describe the result: outstanding. That is SIHH.
Info sourced at SIHH website, brands press releases, Richemont communication, LeTemps.ch, Bilan, 24h and the WorldWatchReport. All content is copyrighted with no reproduction rights available.
