SIHH used to be the civilised show in comparison to the bigger and brasher Baselworld.
The Geneva show paused for two years over the pandemic, before restarting with a rebrand to Watches and Wonders last year.
And, despite Rolex, Patek Philippe, Chopard and LVMH brands joining the exhibition, it was still a reasonably sedate affair in 2022, partly because visitors from China and other Asian nations stayed away.
That has changed this year with massive queues on the opening day to collect passes, and even worse congestion this morning at the entrance to the halls.
“They’ve f***ed it,” one retailer told WatchPro as he turned and left the line, having abandoned any chance of making a 9am meeting.
“It’s like Baselworld all over again. They need to sort this out. You can quote me on that,” he added.
The frustration was compounded by an inability to book a hotel closer than a 45 minute commute away, with no public transport to Palexpo.
Baselworld’s demise was, in part, caused by a crippling shortage of suitable accommodation.
Watches and Wonders is not the only show in the city this week.
Several hotels down by the lake have been taken over by brands creating their own mini exhibitions, compounding a shortage of rooms.
“The frustration was compounded by an inability to book a hotel closer than a 45 minute commute away, with no public transport to Palexpo. Baselworld’s demise was, in part, caused by a crippling shortage of suitable accommodation.”
Given the huge worldwide popularity of watch collecting, Watches & Wonders may need to move to Las Vegas, Nevada! Vegas can handle getting huge crowds in & out of large shows, has the hotel room capacity, catering, and loads of après show fun things to do. Or another option is for Watches & Wonders to consider an event in Geneva and one in Las Vegas due to the size of the crowds. I prefer having one event in Las Vegas.