With both GTE and SIHH, the Swiss watch industry’s biggest exhibitions, taking place this week, it’s the horological equivalent of the Golden Globes and Oscars, and there’s every bit as much sparkle, glamour and intrigue.
Buoyed by the success of the début edition in January 2010, Geneva Time Exhibition (GTE) has established itself as the key exhibition platform for the independent watchmaking sector. The irrepressible optimism surrounding GTE 2011 mirrors the industry’s impressive economic recovery – reflected in the number of exhibitors at this year’s Fair, up 63% from 2010! Nearly sixty dedicated watchmakers will be on hand to present their latest designs, as GTE 2011 showcases their talent and creativity to a select audience of watch professionals and private collectors. The 2011 Fair has already been dubbed ‘an exceptional vintage’ by watch market experts.
What to watch out for:
Greater participation:
GTE now covers every sector of independent watchmaking, ranging from long-established brands to ambitious newcomers determined to make their mark. The advent of independent luxury jewellery also sees the Fair consolidate its position in the luxury sector.
Superwatch Award
This is for for the most accomplished new timepiece made by an independent watchmaker. The first prize, worth CHF 65,000 (€50,000), will be awarded to the most outstanding watch in terms of its design, avant-garde nature and technical sophistication. The competition is reserved exclusively for GTE exhibitors, with a jury composed of six watch specialists: Anders Modig (Chairman), Editor of Plaza Watch; Elizabeth Doerr, watch journalist and writer; Jean-Marc Wiederrecht, independent watchmaker; Axel Kufus, Professor of Design at Berlin’s Universität der Künste; Mohammed Abdulmagied Seddiqi, representing Ahmed Seddiqi & Sons, the leading watch distributors in the Middle East; and Geoffroy Ader, Head of the Watch Department at Sotheby’s Europe.
The winner of the first GTE Superwatch Award will be revealed during the opening party today, Monday 17 January at 7pm, so that visitors can view the winning timepiece throughout the Fair. The winner’s trophy takes the form of a musical box by Reuge, epitomising Swiss savoir-faire.
World Premières
These will include the launch of the Solar Deity collection by Frédéric Jouvenot and de luxe jewellers Tabbah, with a reinterpretation of their Saga collection, the ultra-complicated Klepcys timepiece, fruit of collaboration between Cyrus and watch designer Jean-François Mojon; two sensational designs signed Louis Moinet, Astralis and Geograph, each displaying their technical prowess; and HD3’s revolutionary concept watch, Slyde. (See: HD3 Slyde: Time telling for the iPhone generation).
GTE in brief
- 16 – 21 January 2011
- International Conference Centre Geneva (CICG)
- Opening Times
- Sunday16 January: 11am-7pm
- Monday 17 January – Thursday 20 January: 10am-7pm
- Monday 17 January: Opening Party & GTE Superwatch Award Ceremony – 7pm onwards
- Friday 21 January: 10am-4pm
Exhibitors
Alain Silberstein, Aquanautic, Arcadia, Artya, Aspen, Ateliers de Monaco, Badollet, Bernard Richards Manufacture, Boegli, Bulova, By Karin E, Catena, Catorex, Clerc, Cornelius & Cie, Cyrus Watches, Da Vindice, Damoiselle D, Delance, Drakkar-Timepieces, Jouvenot Manufacture, HD3, Heritage Watch Manufactory, Jean-Mairet & Gillman, Ladoire, Laurent Ferrier, Les Ateliers Louis Moinet, Louis Chevrolet, Louis Erard, Magellan Watch, Marvin Watches, Montres Claude Meylan, Myriad, Pearlsydiam, Peter Tanisman, Pierre Deroche, Pierre Thomas, Quinting, Rebellion, Ressence, Reuge, RGM Watch Company, Ritmo Mundo, Saint Honoré Paris, Snyper, Speake-Marin, SwissKubik, Tabbah, Tempvs Compvtare, Valbray, Veni Vidi Vici, Yonger & Bresson, Zadig & Voltaire, Zandidoust, Zeitwinkel
