If you consider yourself a horology fan, the Watches and Wonders 2024 event will blow your mind. It’s the ultimate watch geek paradise, with over 50 luxury watchmakers displaying their best work everywhere you look.
Our experts at Love Luxury spent the week hunting down the best timepieces of the event – on wrists, in booths, everywhere. Finally, we were able to narrow it down to the top ten watches spotted.
Keep reading to get the insider’s view of Watches and Wonders 2024.
What is “Watches and Wonders”?
Watches & Wonders is one of the most important events in the luxury timepiece industry. This annual trade show is a platform for the most prestigious watch brands to introduce their latest creations to a global audience of retailers, journalists, and passionate collectors.
The event is organised by the Watches and Wonders Geneva Foundation. In recent years, Watches and Wonders have expanded to include public access with their “In the City” initiative.
Where is Watches and Wonders in 2024?
This year, Watches and Wonders was held in Geneva, Switzerland. It’s the traditional location for this luxury watch event. In the past, it’s been held in Basel, Switzerland.
How Do You Get Invited to Watches and Wonders?
There are a few different ways to potentially get invited to Watches and Wonders.
If you’re a retailer or journalist, you may receive an invitation directly from the organisers or participating brands. Building a strong relationship with these brands will definitely increase your chances of attending.
Since 2023, Watches and Wonders has opened a portion of the event to the public. You can keep an eye on the official website for updates on when Watches and Wonders 2024 tickets for the public go on sale.
What Date is Watches and Wonders?
Watches and Wonders 2024 was held in Geneva from April 9th to April 15th, 2024. Here’s how the dates break down:
- Industry-Exclusive Days: April 9th – 12th are reserved for industry professionals, retailers, and journalists.
- Public Access: April 13th – 15th are open to the public.
If you’re interested in attending, visit the official Watches and Wonders website for announcements on when tickets go on sale for the public days.
10 Best Timepieces Spotted at Watches and Wonders Geneva 2024
geneva watches and wonders 2024
Bulgari’s Octo Finissimo Ultra COSC
Richard Mille thought they had the thinnest watch in the game, but Bulgari just snatched back the crown! The Octo Finissimo Ultra COSC was a hit at Watches and Wonders 2024, reclaiming the record with a mind-blowing 1.70-millimeter profile. That’s thinner than a dime!
This 40mm timepiece has a 170-component, manually-wound movement. Don’t worry; they reinforced the back with tungsten carbide – you won’t have to worry about snapping this one-of-a-kind watch in half.
Wondering how much this iconic Bulgari invention costs? They only made 20 of its kind, and that exclusivity comes at a price – a whopping $529,000, to be exact.
IWC’s Portugieser Eternal Calendar
You’ve seen watches that stay accurate for 50 years, 100 years and even 200 years. Well, IWC’s Portugieser Eternal Calendar is playing a whole different game. This watch is, in simple words, built to last.
It’s perpetual calendar won’t need a single adjustment for at least 400 years! But the real mind-blower? The moonphase display is so accurate, it’ll only be off by a single day after 45 MILLION years. It’s safe to say you won’t be adjusting to it in your lifetime.
So, how’d they do it? IWC’s engineers simulated 22 trillion gear combinations to find the perfect design. And to make these super-precise gears, they used a complex process called LIGA.
Sure, the $210,000 price tag is definitely steep. But for something that lasts nearly 45 million years, this IWC becomes a downright bargain.
TAG Heuer’s Split-Seconds Chronograph
TAG Heuer’s iconic square watch, previously rocked by Steve McQueen and Walter White on the big screen, got a seriously high-tech makeover for this year’s Watches and Wonders event. The new Split-Seconds Chronograph is a complete reformation of that ’70s classic.
A split-second chronograph, one of the most complex mechanisms out there, allows you to time multiple events at once. TAG Heuer’s version is anything but traditional.
Lightweight titanium and massive sapphire crystals are just the exteriors – the real artwork is the mechanical spectacle within. It’s architectural, bold, and completely mesmerising.
Priced at $138,000, this timepiece has endless customisation options to make it your own.
Rolex’s Deepsea and Tudor’s Black Bay 58
According to the Rolex Watches and Wonders 2024 show, quiet luxury is a thing of the past.
Rolex shocked the entire audience with a solid gold Deepsea. True to its name, this piece can handle the crushing depths of the ocean and just might pull you down there with its sheer weight – 212 grams! Of course, it comes with a $52,100 price tag.
Ready for a pure gold competition, Tudor doubled down on its Black Bay 58. The original classic gold version is back and better than ever, dripping in yellow gold with a matching bracelet. This time, it has a sleek matte finish and a $32,100 price increase.
Bovet’s Récital 28 Prowess 1
Bovet’s Récital 28 Prowess 1 watch isn’t limited to traditional time zone displays. Instead, it offers a revolutionary solution to the Daylight Savings Time dilemma.
How does it work? Thankfully, it doesn’t have any confusing calculations – this watch uses a system of rollers that adjust with the push of a button, switching between UTC, Summer Time (both Americas and Europe), and European Winter Time across 24 time zones.
It’s shockingly simple to use but super complex to build. That’s right, it took five years of development to come up with the Prowess 1, which now comes with a staggering $711,400 price tag.
Bovet is only making eight of these timepieces a year, so if you want one, it’s time to start saving!
Patek Philippe’s 5530G
We all know that Patek Philippe is the grandmaster of World Timer watches. At Watches and Wonders 2024, they just flipped the script with their latest creation.
They’ve been making these time-bending watches since 1937, but it’s clear there are endless ways to remaster this classic. Their new model, 5530G, includes a sneaky date display that knows exactly how to handle that pesky International Date Line.
Sure, your current World Timer may keep track of time zones like a pro, but one international ship will throw you across the date line. Normally, that means you’ll need to make some adjustments to reset the date.
But with this Patek Philippe, you won’t have to worry about such a thing. For a cool $76,590, this is one of the most self-sufficient watches you can get. It adjusts itself as needed – a mechanically complex concept, but PP makes it look oh-so-easy. The display itself features a wisp of a glass hand pointing to the date, so your time zone view stays crystal clear.
Montblanc’s 1858 Geosphere 0 Oxygen CARBO2
A robust, carbon fibre built? Check. Sustainable time-keeping? Check!
Montblanc shocked the Watches and Wonders 2024 audience with its new 1858 Geosphere 0 Oxygen CARBO2. This watch ticks the ‘eco-friendly’ box, but its cutting-edge technology is even more impressive.
First, think beyond the usual carbon fibre hype. Montblanc’s supplier takes a creative approach – they capture CO2 from biogas and recycled waste. Then, this material is transformed into robust CARBO2, and that’s what makes the watch’s case.
The result is a sporty chronograph with that signature Montblanc globe GMT display, all wrapped in a unique, high-tech material. Plus, at $9,100, this watch is far more affordable than the other pieces on this list, pushing the boundaries of what sustainability can mean in luxury watches.
Grand Seiko’s SLGH021 “Genbi Valley”
The Grand Seiko SLGH021 “Genbi Valley” edition is one of the most aesthetically pleasing pieces we saw at Watches and Wonders 2024. T
his limited edition of 1,000 pieces has a mesmerising blue-green dial inspired by the Genbi Valley, a stunning gorge in Japan’s Iwate Prefecture. Known for its emerald waters and lush scenery, the valley’s natural beauty is perfectly embodied by this luxury timepiece.
The SLGH021 is also the first Evolution 9 case crafted from “Ever Brilliant Steel.” This modern stainless steel alloy is fully corrosion resistant, making the watch as enduring as the valleys it’s inspired by.
Measuring 40mm in diameter, the case houses the impressive Caliber 9SA5, a high-beat movement with a 36,000-vph frequency, and an 80-hour power reserve. Finally, to top it all off, the watch features a mtching “Ever Brilliant Steel” bracelet.
H. Moser & Cie’s Pioneer Centre Seconds Concept Citrus Green
Forget everything you know about “subtle” – H. Moser & Cie. came to Watches and Wonders 2024 with a timepiece so vibrantly bold it turned heads throughout the event.
The Pioneer Centre Seconds Concept Citrus Green is pure, unadulterated fun. The blindingly radiant lime green on a minimalist dial is the first thing you see – no logo, no markers, just three iconic leaf-shaped hands. Paired with the watch’s bright blue rubber strap, It’s the perfect statement piece for those who love a splash of color.
But this isn’t just about looks. The 42.8mm stainless steel case has Moser’s in-house HMC 201 caliber, an automatic powerhouse with a three-day power reserve. It’s the one and only watch for serious watch enthusiasts with a not-so-serious taste in design.
Rolex’s Perpetual 1908
Rolex just took their understated Perpetual 1908 dress watch and turned every feature up a notch! Every aspect of this watch is beautiful: a gleaming platinum case, a mesmerising ice-blue dial adorned with a delicate rice-grain pattern, and those distinctive Arabic numerals.
This timepiece doesn’t just look good; it’s packed with incredible Rolex craftsmanship. The intricate hand-applied patterns on the dial are a testament to their attention to detail. Inside that sleek 39mm case is the powerful Perpetual Caliber 1704 – a precise and long-lasting power reserve.
Instead of the previous sporty strap, this new version has a luxurious brown leather band with a platinum clasp. If you’re looking for a dress watch that makes a statement without screaming for attention, this Rolex could be your perfect match.
Conclusion
This year’s Watches and Wonders event redefined what a timepiece can be. It was a tempting collection that attracted even the most seasoned luxury watch collectors – celebrities like Desmond Tan, Coco Gauff, and Gisele Bündchen were seen strutting the blue carpet.
If the stunning creations seen at Watches and Wonders 2024 are any indication, the future of watchmaking has never looked brighter… or more expensive.
