SIHH 2019: Watchmaking is back!

by Constantin Bacheș, Geneva, Switzerland

After a time when almost all brands felt the need to play colors and design, the time has come for fascinating complications to be back in fashion. I say this after the new edition of SIHH has shown to the world more and more innovative ideas that, after all, look more beautiful than any design “artwork” added in a watch just for the sake of aesthetics. Exquisite materials are another reason for joy for the times we live, and if we have to talk about the favorite colors of the industry, then it is clear that next to the blue, 2019 will be a “green” year.

The most exclusive horological event was launched in 1991, when five brands decided not to participate in Baselworld and to organize an exclusive international fair dedicated to haute Horlogerie watches. The first edition took place for five days in which Baume & Mercier, Cartier, Piaget, Gerald Genta and Daniel Roth exhibited their work on a surface of 4500 square meters at the Geneva exhibition center – Palexpo.
Soon, the concept of “private” salon, to which access is only possible on the basis of an invitation – both for business partners and for the press – has proved successful and more and more traditional houses have decided to reorient to what was already known as “Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie”.
Over the course of time, the number of brands exposed has grown considerably, in 2002 being already 18 brands, mostly from within the Richemont Group. 2019 brought together 35 exhibitors and put a special emphasis on everything that is related to multimedia.