1. Watch Art Grand Exhibition Singapore
The fifth edition of Patek Philippe’s Watch Art Grand Exhibition makes it way to Singapore at the end of September. Open to the public, this free but ticketed event is an opportunity for both watch collectors and design enthusiasts to immerse themselves in the world of the noted Swiss watchmaker. Among 10 themed rooms, you can expect to see select pieces from the Patek Philippe Museum in Geneva, be able to visit a Rare Handcrafts room where artisans will demonstrate detailing techniques such as enameling, as well as a Grand Complications room to view some of the most innovative designs from the brand. One of the highlights of this edition is the specially themed Singapore 200th Anniversary showcase, displaying timepieces that were created at key dates in Singapore’s history.
Marina Bay Sands, Singapore, 28 September to 13 October 2019. Book your tickets at www.patek.com/watchart2019
2. Dubai Watch Week
“Innovation and Technology” will be the focus of this year’s Dubai Watch Week. More than just an exhibition, the fourth edition of this event is expected to be an engaging, informative and interactive experience for visitors. Industry enthusiasts will learn about the latest research and development in watchmaking and gain insights into the sophisticated craft from industry insiders. The exhibition will also feature rare and limited-edition timepieces. For the first time this year, Rolex will be participating with a showcase dedicated to the pioneering wristwatch for deep-sea divers, the Oyster Perpetual Submariner. In conjunction with this, watch retailer Ahmed Seddiqi & Sons will be displaying vintage Rolex pieces.
DIFC Gate Building, Dubai, UAE, 20–24 November 2019. Register now at www.dubaiwatchweek.com
3. Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie Genève
For the first time in over 20 years, Fondation de la Haute Horlogerie’s annual Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie (SIHH) will be moved to coincide with trade show Baselworld. SIHH in Geneva will run first, followed immediately by Baselworld, which is held in its namesake city. The move reaffirms Switzerland as the leading destination for watchmaking and industry insights, and it also means that watch aficionados only need to make one trip to Switzerland to visit both trade fairs. The two events will continue to take place back to back until 2024. Next year also marks SIHH’s 30th anniversary since its inaugural showcase in 1991. The exhibition, which is mainly for watch professionals, will be open to the public on its last day. Brands on show include IWC Schaffhausen, Piaget and Montblanc. Geneva is a three-hour train ride from Zurich.
Geneva, Switzerland, April 2020. Find out more at www.sihh.org
4. Baselworld
From next year, this premier platform for watch, jewellery and gems will be a very different affair. The team behind Baselworld has been planning to transform the event from a classic trade fair format into an experiential one for all guests. If the teaser content is anything to go by, visitors can look forward to live experiences, interactive digital zones, intimate dialogue opportunities, new services, educational programmes and much more. The event remains a highlight on the watch calendar, appealing not only to industry insiders but also collectors and casual buyers. Visit for the latest models from Breitling, Chopard and Chanel. Basel is a one-hour train ride from Zurich.
Basel, Switzerland, 30 April to 5 May 2020. For more details, visit www.baselworld.com
Coming up next in 2020…
Some of the industry’s biggest players have announced exhibitions independent of Baselworld. While some dates have not yet been set, keep your eyes peeled for these showcases.
1. LVMH Swiss Watch Manufactures Exhibition
LVMH will be hosting its first Swiss Watch Manufactures Exhibition in Dubai, featuring timepieces from watch houses Bulgari, TAG Heuer, Hublot and Zenith. But this doesn’t mean there won’t be a Swiss presence – fans will still be able to browse booths from the LVMH brands at Baselworld next year.
Bulgari Hotel, Dubai, UAE, January 2020
2. Time to Move
When the Swatch Group pulled out of Baselworld 2019, it decided to go its own way with its Time to Move roadshow. Its inaugural exhibition, held in May this year, proved to be a much-needed alternative take on the standard mega watch fair. Visitors to next year’s edition can expect timepieces from brands such as Omega, Tissot and Longines. At the time of publication, Time to Move 2020 has not been confirmed.
Zurich, Switzerland, Q1 2020 (to be confirmed)
3. Breitling Summit
Independent Swiss watchmaker Breitling will not be exhibiting at Baselworld next year. The brand first introduced the Breitling Summit experiential concept at Baselworld in 2018, but has decided to hold it independently of the fair in 2020 due to scheduling reasons.
Switzerland, Q1 2020 (to be confirmed)
