Time does not stop at the International Salon of Haute Horlogerie (Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie) which, from January 14 to 17, brings together the most modern and prestigious individuals in today’s watchmaking industry in Geneva. In its 29th Edition, the event will attract approximately 20,000 visitors, experts, collectors and lovers of sophistication, who seek to discover the latest models of the 35 most luxurious watchmaking companies in the world.
This year, the SIHH, which takes place over four days, has curated an agenda filled with unique, immersive and informative experiences focused on the top watch models in the industry. To make sure that all guests experience the best of what the SIHH has to offer the organizers have extended the hours from: 8:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. from Monday to Wednesday and until 10:00 p.m. on Thursday.
The hall opens its doors to the general public (collections and enthusiasts of haute horlogerie), on Thursday afternoons from 3:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Exhibiting brands will offer a preview of their collections to a select number of clients on Sunday, before the general opening.
This edition is the last year in which the legendary brands Audemars Piguet and Richard Mille will be presented. Both houses argue that the event no longer corresponds to their strategies, nor to their commercial or advertising needs. Among the historical maisons, the Swiss firm Bovet, founded in 1822, will make its first appearance as will the independent brand Armin Strom.
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The watchmaking houses in SIHH 2019
Historic Maisons (Historic houses)
A Lange & Söhne, Audemars Piguet, Baume & Mercier, BOVET, Cartier, Girard-Perregaux, Greubel Forsey, Hermès, IWC, Jaeger-LeCoultre, Montblanc, Panerai, Parmigiani Fleurier, Piaget, Richard Mille, Roger Dubuis, Ulysse Nardin, Vacheron Constantin.
Carré des Horlogers (Square of the Watchmakers-independent firms)
Armin Strom, Christophe Claret, Chronométrie Ferdinand Berthoud, DeWitt, élégante by F.P.Journe, Grönefeld, H. Moser & Cie, Hautlence, HYT, Kari Voutilainen, Laurent Ferrier, MB&F, Ressence, Romain Gauthier, RJ, Speake-Marin, Urwerk.
LAB and LIVE, pure interaction
Innovative, interactive and connected. This is the new Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie, which, as an exclusive meeting point for the sector, evolves at a time when digital plays a strategic role for the industry.
This year special emphasis will be placed on LAB, an open and interactive space with innovative technologies developed by the exhibiting companies in collaboration with the Federal Polytechnic School of Lausanne, Switzerland. Visitors will be transported to a world where virtual reality, artificial intelligence, gestures recognition, connected functions and resistance of materials converge to show the evolution and challenges of the watchmaking art of the future.
SIHH 2019 also renews the LIVE concept that debuted in 2018. Designed as a TV studio, the space becomes a global showcase for brand ambassadors to present their collections, as well as conferences and discussion tables. The content will be broadcast live for the SIHH channels and the social networks of the exhibitors. Among this year’s speakers are: Terry von Bibra, general manager for Europe of Alibaba and Toby Bateman, managing director of Mr. Porter, the Chinese influencer Peter Xu, (with more than 7.5 million followers in the Weibo social network) and Asher Rapkin, global head of Business Marketing on Facebook.
The most anticipated at SIHH 2019
Girard-Perregaux Laureate Perpetual Calendar.
The International Haute Horlogerie Show advances that this iconic and timeless design of haute horlogerie is made of steel, and in addition to the hours and minutes, it also indicates whether the year is a leap year or not. The crystal and the back are made out of sapphire that has an anti-reflective treatment on both sides, and the dial is galvanic blue.
Montblanc Star Legacy Nicolas Rieussec.
The firm reinterprets its model Nicolas Rieussec Monopusher Chronograph. The off-center time circle and chronograph rotating discs, made of titanium, are now bulged to provide a three-dimensional effect. It has two discs aligned horizontally for the chronograph’s 60-second and 30-minute counters, which rotate below fixed double indexes.
Roger Dubuis Excalibur Huracán Performante.
Since joining Pirelli and Lamborghini Squadra Corse, Roger Dubuis watches have become iconic staples for the brand. They present movements inspired by the engine blocks of the legendary vehicles and cases that resemble the shape of a body, mounted on Pirelli belts.
Cartier Privé Tonneau.
The iconic haute horlogerie firm recovers historical designs, and within this collection, the Tonneau Skeleton Double Time Zone is offered in two versions; with a platinum and rose gold case.
SIHH and Baselworld unify calendar in 2020
The Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie, in Geneva (SIHH) and Baselworld in Basel, the two most important events in the watch industry, will synchronize their calendars for 2020. SIHH will take place from April 26 to 29, in Geneva, followed immediately by Baselworld, which will take place from April 30 to May 5 in Basel.
Fabienne Lupo, president and managing director of the Haute Horlogerie Foundation and organizer of SIHH, guarantees the independence of the event and preserves its core values of quality and excellence. He explains that “Synchronizing with Baselworld will confirm Switzerland as the main destination of the world of watchmaking.”
To follow all the details of the 2019 edition of the Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie, visit the official page of the event. ■
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