The 13th annual exhibition for haute horlogerie takes place in Palexpo from the 7th to the 14th April. Open only to professionals and the media, this year there are no fewer than 18 of the ‘greats’ of this world present: Audemars-Piguet, Baume & Mercier, Bovet Fleurier, Cartier, Roger Dubuis, Jaeger-Le-Coultre, Daniel Jeanrichard, Girard Perregaux, IWC, Lange & Söhne, Perrelet, Officine Panerai, Parmigiani Fleurier, Piaget, Vacheron Constantin, Van Cleef & Arpels, Alfred Dunhill et Montblanc.

Geneva as expo city

As a traditional meeting place and trading crossroads for more than 2’000 years, Geneva takes its role as a global meeting place very seriously. Largely because of the critical mass of some 150 international governmental and non-governmental organisations, including the Office of the United Nations and nearly 200 multinational corporations, Geneva has had to develop an infrastructure capable of meeting the requirements for a global convention centre.

Geneva is now among the world’s top 20 conference and exhibition cities, second only to New York for United Nations headquarter activities, home to many leading economic players in technology, telecommunications, trade, banking, and finance; Geneva is an ideal business location at the heart of Europe. The current building of a major new extension to the Palexpo congress and exhibition complex will bring Geneva into the world’s top 15 expo cities.

Geneva- watch capital of the world

Many of the most famous Swiss brands are located in Geneva carrying on a tradition that so well epitomises Watch City itself. Leading-edge engineering excellence, a fine sense of aesthetic creativity, and a spirit of innovation. Qualities that have led to the development of many other economic activities in the city that go to make it such an exceptional cosmopolitan centre of excellence in the heart of Europe.

A bit of Swiss watch history

The Swiss watch and clock industry in fact began in Geneva in the middle of the 16th century. In 1541, reforms implemented by Jean Calvin and banning the wear of jewels, forced Geneva’s renowned goldsmiths and jewellers to turn to a new, independent craft : watchmaking. By the end of the century, Genevan watches were already reputed for their high quality.

In 1790, Geneva was already exporting more than 60,000 watches a year. The mass production of watches began at the turn of the 20th century, thanks research and new technologies introduced by reputed watchmakers. The increase in productivity, the interchangeability of parts and standardisation progressively led the Swiss watch industry to its world supremacy.

For more than four centuries now, tradition, craftsmanship, leading technologies and ongoing innovation have allowed Swiss watchmaking industry to maintain its world leadership. Its exceptional dynamism and creative power have made it a state-of-the-art industry with many world firsts: the first wristwatch, the first quartz watch, the first water resistant wristwatch, the thinnest wristwatch in the world, the smallest or the most expensive watch in the world, and many more.

The Swiss watch industry today

The watch and clock industry is Switzerland's third largest exporter after the machine and chemical industries. Swiss made timepieces are to be found in all the countries of the globe. And, what is no less surprising, to suit all pockets, or almost so from quartz fashion watches for a modest price to mechanical masterpieces, made of gold and decorated with precious stones, costing several million francs. It is this wide variety and its worldwide vocation which together have ensured the survival of the industry over the course of centuries.

The Swiss watch industry exports nearly 95% of its production. Asia and Oceania take 33.8% of Swiss watch exports in value, Europe 37.7%, North America 18.6%, the Middle East 5.3%, South America 3.9% and Africa 0.7%.

The Swiss watch industry today is one of the brightest stars in the Swiss economic firmament. Better still, during the last five or six years, it has taken the leading position amongst the country's most successful industries, breaking its own records in exporting each year and going from 4.3 billion francs in 1986 to more than 10 billion in 2000.

What’s in a name?

Watches, clocks and alarm clocks manufactured in Switzerland bear the designation "Swiss made" (or its abbreviation "Swiss") as well as the logo of the producer or distributor. This label enjoys a solid reputation throughout the world. And globalisation of trade has done nothing to diminish its importance. On the contrary, the modern consumer is looking for a maximum of information when he or she goes shopping for a new timepiece.

"Swiss made" embodies a concept of quality that has been forged over the years. It includes the technical quality of watches (accuracy, reliability, water-resistance and shock-resistance), as well as their aesthetic quality (elegance and originality of design). It covers both traditional manufacturing and new technologies (micro-electronics).

The Swiss are not the only watchmakers to manufacture high-quality timepieces but thanks to their unique infrastructure and to their know-how and spirit of innovation, they have succeeded in maintaining their leading position.

The intrinsic value of the "Swiss made" label, therefore, is the result of considerable efforts on the part of watchmaking companies, who are ultimately responsible for maintaining its reputation.

While prestigious brand names have thrived, they have never relegated the "Swiss made" label to a secondary place. The brand names and "Swiss made" have always worked together in an alliance that provides the consumer with the best of guarantees.

Certain regions in Switzerland have their own "place of origin" labels. One of the most renowned is "Genève", which identifies top-quality timepieces made in the city and canton of Geneva.

Visit

Geneva’s world-famous watchmakers cosy up in Watch-City Link

Geneva: Swiss watchmakers break through 10 billion franc barrier Link

New Patek Philippe museum marks Geneva’s global leadership in watch making: Link

Geneva's Watchmakers Jewellers Goldsmiths Association Link

Swiss Watchmakers & Watch Manufacturer Links: Link