Geneva news and archive

Geneva opera house selling off thousands of extravagant costumes

Sandra Delpierre's fingers linger on a long blue and white fur coat and graze a pair of angel wings as she winds past thousands of colourful costumes used in opera performances. "There are some real treasures to be found," the head of costume workshops at Geneva's Grand Theatre told AFP. At a time when Bridgerton-style costume parties are all...

Fairs

Independence, informality and a touch of tradition: Relaxed gathering of the watch industry

An important summer meeting for watchmakers took place in a nautically designed pavilion in Switzerland. With a brand-new format and a varied programme, Geneva Watch Days is a relatively new entry in the industry calendar. It aims to remain fresh and forward-looking. Founded as a one-off antidote to the economic downturn during the Covid-19...

Fairs

Independence, informality...and a touch of tradition: Watchmaking's easygoing get-together

A major summer rendezvous for watchmakers got underway in timely Swiss fashion in a nautically themed pavilion. Boasting a brand new format and varied programme, Geneva Watch Days is a recent addition to the industry calendar determined to stay fresh and forward-looking. Founded as a one-off antidote to the economic blues of the Covid-19...

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Fashion

Swiss watch brands making time for India

Swiss watchmakers are increasingly turning their sights towards India thanks to a new free trade agreement that is due to gradually open the doors for luxury timepiece exports. While some brands are already in the starting blocks, others are waiting to see whether India will become a new land of plenty. "India represents enormous potential,"...

Fashion

Patek Philippe chief not worried for top-end Swiss watches

Patek Philippe's chief says he is not anxious about the prospects for top-end timepieces, despite Swiss watch exports slowing overall after three years of spectacular growth. Thierry Stern told AFP he was "not worried about the high end" of the market during the Geneva watch fair, which brings together 54 major brands at Swiss watchmaking's...

Fashion

Geneva watch fair ticks to slower rhythm after three boom years

The 2024 Geneva watch fair opens on Tuesday amid slower demand in China for fancy Swiss timepieces and more timid consumer spending across the board on luxury items. The Watches and Wonders salon, which runs until April 15, will see 54 major watch brands show off their latest creations, including Rolex, Patek Philippe, Cartier, Chopard, Hermes...

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Fairs

Geneva watch show opens in throes of banking turmoil

The Geneva watch fair opened Monday buoyed by booming growth in the watchmaking industry, but insiders warily eyed the banking sector turmoil, evoking painful memories of the 2008 financial crisis. Industry professionals were upbeat on the first day of the Watches and Wonders annual fair, where 48 prestigious brands including Rolex, Patek...

Fashion

Watchmakers tinker with new materials to attract younger consumers

Lab-made diamonds, recycled plastic and 3D printing: this year's Geneva watch fair was teeming with timepieces crafted from new materials, aimed at seducing a new generation of luxury watch connoisseurs. H. Moser, a niche brand producing 2,000 watches a year for wealthy collectors, this year presented a watch covered in Vantablack, a super-black...

Fairs

Geneva luxury watch fair returns under shadow of Ukrainian war

Switzerland's top luxury watch fair will resurface this week in Geneva after two years of pandemic-induced virtual shows, but Ukraine's raging conflict and Covid lockdowns in China could dampen the mood. The Watches and Wonders show, taking place from Wednesday until April 5, will this year see 38 of the biggest high-end watch brands, including...

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Business

Rare Kashmir sapphire glitters in Geneva auctio

The largest Kashmir sapphire ever auctioned and a royal tiara which everyone can try on via Instagram are the stars of this year's May magnificent jewels sales in Geneva. Gems worn by French emperor Napoleon Bonaparte's adopted daughter also dazzle among the historic treasures being sold by Sotheby's and Christie's auction houses on May 11 and...

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Fairs

Geneva opens virtually before physical event in Shanghai

Geneva's international expo of fine watches opened Wednesday with an online 2021 edition before shifting next week to Shanghai, where the coronavirus is under control. The fair, one of the major annual gatherings for luxury watchmakers, was cancelled last year due to the pandemic but is going ahead virtually this year. The Salon International de...

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Fashion

Ultra-rich bid for all that glitters at Swiss auctions

Geneva's autumn jewel auctions got underway Tuesday, with Russian oligarchs and Chinese billionaires among those eyeing up the array of eye-wateringly expensive bling on offer. The Swiss city's twice-annual sales of rare jewels are often dominated by stones the size of door-stoppers. But this week, gems valued by their weight in carats will...