Coronavirus: Watches and Wonders Cancels 2021 Show

(IDEX Online) - The Watches and Wonders Geneva trade show, due to take place next April, has been canceled because of COVID-19 concerns. 

The show - formerly known as SIHH - will take place as a digital-only events, say organizers, with Richemont's watch labels, Rolex, Patek Philippe, Chopard, Chanel, Hermes and Kering's Ulysse Nardin, plus other brands.  It is scheduled for 7 to 13 April.

They claim their next physical show, planned for 2022, will be the biggest watch event ever held in Geneva.

"The decision, taken in close consultation with the principal stakeholders, is seen as the most responsible course of action, given the current health crisis and uncertainties as to how the situation may evolve," said a press statement issued yesterday.

It said the digital event would: "enable professionals - media, retailers and exhibiting brands' clients - to discover the new releases for 2021 and other watchmaking wonders."

Watches and Wonders say exhibiting brands will include: A. Lange & Sohne; Armin Strom; Arnold & Son; Baume & Mercier; Bovet; Cartier; Chanel; Chopard; Faberge; Ferdinand Berthoud; Girard-Perregaux; Gronefeld; H. Moser & Cie.; Hermes; Hyt; Iwc Schaffhausen; Jaeger-Lecoultre; Laurent Ferrier; Mb&F; Montblanc; Panerai; Parmigiani; Patek Philippe; Piaget; Purnell; Rebellion Timepieces; Ressence; Rolex; Roger Dubuis; Rudis Sylva; Speake-Marin; Tudor; Ulysse Nardin; Vacheron Constantin.