After the cancellation of the two biggest watch fairs in Switzerland because of the Coronavirus a group of luxury watch brands forging ahead: Under the leadership of Bulgarian eight manufacturers have announced, from 26. up to 29. April, in Geneva, the Geneva Watch Days to perform.

the co-organisers include, among others, Breitling, Urwerk, Girard-Perregaux, and Ulysse Nardin. I have Heard that the organizers in talks with other brands to participate, including Chopard as well as H. Moser & Cie.

Last week, the watch salon in Geneva and the Baselworld were blown off in Basel, after the Federal Council had tightened the precautions for public events. Until the middle of March, it is not longer allowed due to the outbreak of a novel pathogen in Switzerland, to events with over a thousand persons.

Several small events in Geneva

The Geneva Watch Days will consist of several small events. Is provided a series of presentations and events for retailers, media and customers from Europe. These Mini-Events will be carried out in the brand's boutiques or in Hotels. So big people are to be avoided collections under one roof.

That, of all things, Bulgari submits a Plan B, calling for attention. The Italian company had cancelled in mid-February, your participation in the Baselworld, among other things, with reference to uncertainties due to the Coronavirus.

Bulgari CEO Jean-Christophe Babin denies, as it were, through the back door a competition on the occasion of the most established industry events in Basel and Geneva on the legs.The Geneva Watch Days are not a long-term replacement for the two historic meetings of the film industry, but an "efficient Alternative on a smaller scale, in view of the constantly changing environment in the current year," he explained.The new occasion is to ensure visibility for new models.

The project of the luxury watch manufacturer shows that the brands are still in need of attention to their new products to a wide audience.

Just the Baselworld suffers from an increasing number of exhibitors, the move your marketing activities in social media and therefore, the watch should stay away. Best known is Absent, the Swatch Group, the world's largest watch manufacturer based in Biel.

Baselworld-chief Michel Loris-Melikoff see that measure are a discontinued model: The new occasion in Geneva, "underlines one thing: brands and customers together is important and valuable to maintain personal contacts and the business moving forward," he says. Bulgarian does not exclude the possibility, in the coming year in Basel to participate.

"I was at brands knock on the door, I knew that you're open enough to understand that here is a Chance."

Jean-Christophe Babin, CEO of Bulgari

On demand Bulgari reports that the organizers were "strictly" adhere to current and future requirements of the Federal Council as well as the recommendations of the world health organization. In addition, the Canton of Geneva, the follow the situation closely have his "full support" for the Geneva Watch Days the course.

one weekend

the Bulgari-designed ChefBabin has developed the concept for the Geneva Watch Days last weekend on the Fast, as he said on Monday evening in the Western Swiss television RTS. He knocked on their competitor, "by which I knew that you're open enough to understand that here is a Chance offers".

It is now more important than ever that brands can introduce their new products, "to stimulate the demand, which was already in front of Covid-19 pretty sluggish".

In the coming days, the organizers of the Mini-watch fair call, in Geneva, a steering Committee. The Committee is responsible for finding exhibition spaces and good hotel rates to negotiate. On the other hand, the Committee with the Canton and city of Geneva will work together to the health protection of the participants to ensure.

Created: 03.03.2020, 17:04 Uhr