As summer drew to a close, the heart of Geneva pulsed with excitement, anticipating the most relaxed yet lively event in the watchmaking calendar—Geneva Watch Days. From August 29 to September 2, 2024, the city transformed into a horological heaven, where the Jet d’Eau glistened under the late summer sun, and the world’s most passionate watch enthusiasts gathered to celebrate the art of time.
Launched in 2020 by six pioneering brands—Breitling, Bvlgari, De Bethune, Girard-Perregaux, H. Moser & Cie., and MB&F—this event blossomed into a cornerstone of the watchmaking community. The beauty of Geneva Watch Days lay in its decentralized nature, allowing each Maison to craft its own unique experience across the city, whether in luxurious boutiques or charming hotels. Yet, the heart of it all remained the common pavilion at Rotonde du Mont-Blanc, where more than 100 extraordinary timepieces from 52 participating brands awaited discovery.
This was not just an exhibition; it was a celebration of high horology in a laid-back, festive atmosphere, where simplicity met elegance, and the passion for fine watchmaking shone through. With free access, Geneva Watch Days invited everyone—from seasoned collectors to curious newcomers—to immerse themselves in the world of exceptional timepieces and to connect with the stories behind the brands.
Brands introduced a range of captivating designs, from innovative new models to those honoring tradition. Here are some of the standout pieces that we believe are a must look for any watch enthusiast :
Breitling
Breitling marked its “140 Years of Firsts” with a groundbreaking release: perpetual calendar chronograph movement. To celebrate, the brand introduced limited 140th-anniversary editions of its iconic models — Premier, Navitimer, and Chronomat—all powered by the innovative Caliber B19. This movement offered unmatched precision for an entire century with minimal adjustments and boasted an impressive 96-hour power reserve. We love this watch because it powers through four days straight without needing a single wind.
Favre Leuba
Favre Leuba made a triumphant return, celebrating 287 years of horological mastery. The brand unveiled three new collections, comprising 22 fresh designs, to mark this momentous occasion. The Chief Collection was completely revamped, blending its signature vintage elements with a contemporary twist. The Chief Chronograph, a standout piece, retained the classic ‘70s design, refreshed with a sporty, modern edge, highlighted by its retro-inspired cushion shaped case. It’s such a stand-out piece, one instantly falls in love with it.
Bvlgari
Bvlgari redefined men’s watchmaking with its Octo series, merging tradition with a contemporary vision. Renowned for their expertise in horological acoustics, Bvlgari impressed once again with the Octo Roma Grande Sonnerie Tourbillon and Octo Roma Carillon Tourbillon minute repeater. These timepieces were inspired by the “tritone,” a musical interval that resonated with musicians, drawing creative cues from Lorenzo Viotti, the conductor of the Netherlands Philharmonic Orchestra.
Konstantin Chaykin
Konstantin Chaykin made waves at the Geneva Watch Days 2024 with his latest creation—the ThinKing. At just 1.65 mm thick, it was the slimmest mechanical wristwatch ever made. This marvel was part of the “Wristmons” collection, featuring a joker-inspired dial with “eye” indicators for hours and minutes. ThinKing captured the attention of experts and the press alike, earning accolades from top global publications.
HYT
HYT’s Millésime Edition introduced bold new colors—Purple, Green, and Chocolate—adding a fresh, modern twist to its lineup. Launched in the fall, the T1 Series stood out with its sleek 45mm diameter and vertical grain satin-finished dial. Each hue was enhanced by HYT’s signature fluidic time displays, with vibrant red fluid for the green and chocolate models, and a striking black for the purple. Case options included titanium, DLC titanium, and 5N gold.
Oris
Oris became the Official Timekeeper for France’s Ligue 1 McDonald’s and Ligue 2 BKT, in collaboration with the Ligue de Football Professionnel (LFP). To celebrate, Oris launched the LFP Limited Edition Divers Sixty-Five, a tribute to the “Les Défenseurs de l’Enfance” football tournament, which supported children and CNAPE-backed charities. The watch featured playful, childlike script, a blue dial symbolizing the UN’s 17th goal, and a stainless steel case back engraved with the tournament’s logo. We appreciate the initiative and their drive for change. Their commitment to both craftsmanship and community truly sets them apart.
Angelus
Angelus introduced the Chronodate Titanium Magnetic Silver edition—a watch where grey reigned supreme. The titanium case and sunray-brushed “Magnetic Silver” dial created a monochromatic masterpiece, accentuated by deep black and a touch of red. This ultra-sporty and refined color scheme drew the eye, holding it in a captivating gaze.
De Bethune
De Bethune’s DB28xs Aérolite was a stunning fusion of art and science. The dial featured a unique guilloché pattern, offset by the geometric lines of Muonionalusta meteorite. This timepiece merged elements from the DB28xs Starry Seas and DB28XP Météorite models, pushing the boundaries of contemporary watchmaking. Encased in a 38.7 mm black matte zirconium case with a blue meteorite dial, it symbolized the union of earth and sky, craftsmanship and innovation.
MB&F
MB&F presented the M.A.D.1S, a sleek evolution of its popular M.A.D.1 model. The “S” signified a slimmer profile, with a case just 15mm thick, housing a new Swiss movement—the La Joux-Perret G101. The streamlined design featured refined lugs and an updated winding rotor. While the case retained its 42mm diameter, the thinner
Czapek & Cie
Czapek & Cie took its Antarctique collection to new heights with the Antarctique Polar Sky and Antarctique S Polar Sky models. These stunning timepieces featured aventurine glass dials, available in 40.5mm and 38.5mm sizes. For those craving extra luxury, the Antarctique Flying Diamonds and Antarctique S Flying Diamonds models came with diamond-set indexes and optional diamond-encrusted cases and bracelets. The Antarctique cut diamonds, with their 24 facets, amplified the dials’ brilliance. Limited to just 99, 77, 8, and 18 pieces. With such limited availability, these extraordinary pieces are sure to disappear quickly !
As Geneva Watch Days 2024 wrapped up, it was clear that the event was more than just a display of fine watches—it was a celebration of passion, creativity, and craftmanship. The timepieces showcased weren’t just marvels of engineering; they were stories waiting to be worn. Whether a seasoned collector or a curious enthusiast, everyone left with a shared sense of wonder and excitement, eagerly awaiting what next year’s event will bring.
