For its eighth edition and under the guiding hand of Jean-Philippe Barberot who is now alone at the helm, the eighth edition of Belles Montres at the Carrousel du Louvre reaffirmed its status as the most important French watchmaking fair at the end of November. Great organization, spaces decorated with elegance and intelligence, efficient service. More than 13,000 visitors, including 2,000 at a generous cocktail party on the Thursday evening, had an opportunity to get to know and dialog with some 50 exhibitor brands, including original “locals” such as Bell&Ross, Hermès and Richard Mille, great names such as Chopard and Ralph Lauren, as well as niche brands such as Cabestan and HYT and newcomers such as Tudor.
SalonQP : GPHG in London
Was it the “Watchmaking Oscars” effect, with the exhibition of the watch laureates of the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève award ceremony that had just taken place? Whatever the cause, the sixth edition of the SalonQP in London attracted 16% more visitors at the beginning of November to the Saatchi Gallery, including many high-flying collectors, some of them from far away, and who were not simply there to dream but also to acquire certain models from the 87 exhibitor brands. According to the show’s founder, James Gurney, more than 7,000 visitors attended. Niche brands as diverse as MB&F and H. Moser & Cie., as well as a selection of British brands, were featured alongside big names such as Jaeger-LeCoultre and TAG Heuer. For the first time, part of the exhibition was devoted to High Jewelry models from companies such as Bulgari, Harry Winston and Piaget.
SIAR : Mexico force 8
Renowned for being both friendly and professional, the biggest watch show in Latin America was held at the Mexico St Regis Hotel at the end of October 2014 and lived up to its reputation for the eighth consecutive year. Some 30 exhibitors (from Cartier to Vacheron Constantin via Hautlence and F. P. Journe), hosted 3,000 end clients and retailers, as well as 300 media representatives from all over the world. Amongst the winners of the traditional Tiempo de Relojes Awards, De Bethune won its first prize at this event, another milestone in a year that has proven particularly rich in rewards for the brand (GPHG, Spiral magazine awards in Hong Kong and Middle East “Watch of the Year” award in Dubai). For Carlos Alonso, this edition was the most successful in the history of the SIAR, both qualitatively and quantitatively.
Masters of Time: World’s largest retail exhibition
For the 6th edition of the Masters of Time watch fair, one of the world’s largest watch retailers, is showcasing until February 28th 2015 more than 400 timepieces, as well as jewellery models from 40 or so brands, within the ultra-luxurious setting of the T Galleria by DFS in the Shoppes at Four Seasons in Macau. All the watch groups as well as many independent brands operating at the peak of the watchmaking pyramid are notably presenting some exceptional creations. Spread between a dedicated zone and the DFS hyper-boutique, the exhibition began on December 6th with a gala dinner attended by 400 VIP guests. Read the interview given by the Senior Vice President Watches & Jewellery, Christophe Chaix on worldtempus.com
