{"id":34247,"date":"2019-09-11T09:16:32","date_gmt":"2019-09-11T07:16:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.gmtmag.com\/?p=34247"},"modified":"2019-09-11T12:01:54","modified_gmt":"2019-09-11T10:01:54","slug":"fine-watch-week","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.gmtmag.com\/en\/lifestyle-n-en\/events-en\/fine-watch-week.html","title":{"rendered":"Fine Watch Week"},"content":{"rendered":"

Geneva reaffirms its status as the horological capital of the world from 31 October to 10 November 2019, with the opening of the Grand Prix d\u2019Horlogerie de Gen\u00e8ve exhibition and the Watch Photo Awards, as well as the traditional fall watch auctions, punctuated this year by the biennial Only Watch. The Fine Watch Club is organising for its members an exclusive programme, which includes visits to manufactures, exhibitions, and talks with prominent figures in the watch industry, all peppered with cocktails and congenial meals.<\/p>\n

Over the course of each exceptional day proposed (with possibility for members to sign up for 1 or more days), 10 members of the Fine Watch Club will benefit from guidance of experts and privileged access to the behind-the-scenes of renowned watchmaking brands. They will also be able to have a sneak preview of the future limited editions that the Fine Watch Club is creating exclusively for its members. For the fastest amongst those signed up, it is possible to adapt a programme over two days.<\/p>\n

31 October – Codeword: PLO-UN!<\/strong><\/a><\/span>
\nFr\u00e9d\u00e9rique Constant Museum, Vacheron Constantin manufacture and Ulysse Nardin.<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

The acronyms PLO and GPHG refers to Plan-les-Ouates, the Geneva commune that is home to the Vacheron Constantin and Fr\u00e9d\u00e9rique Constant manufactures, and the and UN stands for Ulysse Nardin.<\/p>\n

Fr\u00e9d\u00e9rique Constant Museum<\/strong>
\nThe morning will be dedicated to visiting the new Fr\u00e9d\u00e9rique Constant museum, which was inaugurated this summer. Experience the manufacture in a recreational and interactive space, which also showcases the history and universe of each brand (Alpina and Atelier de Monaco belong to the same group). Its vast exhibition space showcases historic vintage watches, the process of creating a manufacture movement and details for the brands\u2019 most emblematic watches. Since the launch of its first manufacture movement in 2004, Fr\u00e9d\u00e9rique Constant has created 29 manufacture movements. This VIP guided visit will end with an intimate lunch at the heart of the manufacture.<\/p>\n

Vacheron Constantin Manufacture<\/strong>
\nThe afternoon will be devoted to the oldest manufacture in the world (running uninterrupted since 1755), Vacheron Constantin\u2014a brand that has produced some of the most complicated watches in the world. Members will find themselves immersed in Vacheron Constantin\u2019s savoir-faire in this guided visit of the manufacture, exclusive to the Fine Watch Club, and will include a presentation of rare watches by a master watchmaker.<\/p>\n

Ulysse Nardin<\/strong>
\nThe day will end with a meeting with the head of Ulysse Nardin, the brand known for its Freak collection and its marine chronometers. Its manufacture, entirely integrated for movement creation, is one of the most innovative manufactures in the industry. The brand has entered a new and dynamic era since the appointment of its CEO, Patrick Pruniaux. Discover the brand\u2019s latest creations as well as a surprise prototype, in exclusivity for the Fine Watch Club.<\/p>\n

1 November – Detailed Timing<\/strong><\/a><\/span>
\nMeet with the heads of Girard-Perregeau, visit the smallest watch manufacture in Geneva, the Patek Philippe Museum and get into the GPHG expo !<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

The Fine Watch Club will welcome you in its gallery in Eaux-Vives, located in the GMT Publishing premises, where the core of watchmaking editorial is created with editorial powerhouses such as GMT Magazine and watchmaking news website WorldTempus, as well as the offices for the Grand Prix d\u2019Horlogerie de Gen\u00e8ve (GPHG), the Geneva Watch Tour and the Watch Photo Awards.<\/p>\n

During the visit you will be able to discuss with the CEO or Director of Creation of Girard-Perregaux, the brand known for its tourbillons under three gold bridges or its triple-axis tourbillon, awarded multiple times at the GPHG. It\u2019s a great opportunity to discuss brand strategy for a high-end watchmaking brand and discuss the process of launching a collection such as the Laureato. You will also be able to exclusively discover a watch prototype for a special project. A lunch held in an intimate setting will follow the visit.<\/p>\n

Akrivia<\/strong>
\nThe visit will then head towards Old Town Geneva, to visit the smallest watch manufacture in Geneva, Akrivia, in the company of its founder, who only produces a few dozen watches a year. Here, traditional craftsmanship is as authentic as it can get. Akrivia won last year\u2019s Men\u2019s Watch Prize at the GPHG.<\/p>\n

Patek Philippe Museum<\/strong>
\nThen we change scenery at the Patek Philippe Museum, whose Art Deco building houses five centuries of horological creations. Often considered the holy temple of watchmaking, the museum doesn\u2019t just contain the oldest or most complicated Patek Philippe watches, but also has automatons and miniature enamel wonders that reflect traditional watchmaking art. The visit will be headed by an experienced guide, dedicated to the Fine Watch Club.<\/p>\n

Grand Prix d\u2019Horlogerie de Gen\u00e8ve Exhibition<\/strong>
\nThe day will conclude in splendid horological fashion with the exhibition of the GPHG at the Mus\u00e9e d\u2019Art et d\u2019Histoire, on invitation only, where the 84 watches up for consideration will be gathered all together for the first time. The exhibition is simply spectacular, and some pieces can even be handled (with care!). In this environment filled with cultural significance, the Watch Photo Awards (created by our parent company, GMT Publishing), will also hold the opening of its 2019 exhibition. The 60 photos selected for this international watch photography competition will adorn the walls of the museum. A cocktail reception will accompany this concentration of watchmaking passions.<\/p>\n

7 November – The Oscars of Horology<\/strong><\/a><\/span>
\nExhibition and awards ceremony for the Grand Prix d\u2019Horlogerie de Gen\u00e8ve (GPHG), visit at the Patek Philippe Museum and meet with Maurice Lacroix.<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

The Fine Watch Club will welcome you to the Mus\u00e9e d\u2019Art et d\u2019Histoire in Geneva, where the 84 watches selected for the GPHG will be exhibited in a spectacular setting\u2014and some pieces can even be handled (with care!). The award winners will be announced that same evening. In this environment filled with cultural significance, the Watch Photo Awards (created by our parent company, GMT Publishing), will also hold the opening of its 2019 exhibition. The 60 photos selected for this international watch photography competition will adorn the walls of the museum.<\/p>\n

One of the brands being considered in the GPHG, Maurice Lacroix is one of the most dynamic brands in the accessible luxury side of this industry. Its\u2019 product director will be meeting with Fine Watch Club members to explain the brand\u2019s strategy, the process of building a cohesive collection and will also unveil a surprise prototype for the first time. A lunch in a more intimate setting will follow.<\/p>\n

Patek Philippe Museum<\/strong>
\nThen we change scenery at the Patek Philippe Museum, whose Art Deco building houses five centuries of horological creations. Often considered the holy temple of watchmaking, the museum doesn\u2019t just contain the oldest or most complicated Patek Philippe watches, but also has automatons and miniature enamel wonders that reflect traditional watchmaking art. The visit will be headed by an experienced guide, dedicated to the Fine Watch Club.<\/p>\n

The Grand Prix d\u2019Horlogerie de Gen\u00e8ve<\/strong>
\nOften considered the Oscars of horology, the GPHG attracts the entire watchmaking industry during its awards ceremony at the Th\u00e9atre du L\u00e9man for one exceptional evening, only on invitation. Experience this spectacular event, filled with revelry and humour, while comfortably seated and meet the figures presenting at the ceremony during a joyous cocktail.<\/p>\n

To close the evening, the Managing Director of the Fine Watch Club will be taking members to dinner close to the Th\u00e9\u00e2tre du L\u00e9man, all the while keeping a few surprises in store.<\/p>\n

8 November – Plan-les-(Only)Watch<\/strong><\/a><\/span>
\nFr\u00e9d\u00e9rique Constant Museum, Vacheron Constantin manufacture and Only Watch exhibition.<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

The Fine Watch Club will take 10 members on a visit filled with exceptional discoveries at two manufactures emblematic of Plan-les-Ouates (a region of Geneva).<\/p>\n

Fr\u00e9d\u00e9rique Constant Museum<\/strong>
\nThe morning will be dedicated to visiting the new Fr\u00e9d\u00e9rique Constant museum, which was inaugurated this summer. Experience the manufacture in a recreational and interactive space, which also showcases the history and universe of each brand (Alpina and Atelier de Monaco belong to the same group). Its vast exhibition space showcases historic vintage watches, the process of creating a manufacture movement and details for the brands\u2019 most emblematic watches. Since the launch of its first manufacture movement in 2004, Fr\u00e9d\u00e9rique Constant has created 29 manufacture movements. This VIP guided visit will end with an intimate lunch at the heart of the manufacture.<\/p>\n

Vacheron Constantin Manufacture<\/strong>
\nThe afternoon will be devoted to the oldest manufacture in the world (running uninterrupted since 1755), Vacheron Constantin\u2014a brand that has produced some of the most complicated watches in the world. Members will find themselves immersed in Vacheron Constantin\u2019s savoir-faire in this guided visit of the manufacture, exclusive to the Fine Watch Club, and will include a presentation of rare watches by a master watchmaker.<\/p>\n

Only Watch Exhibition<\/strong>
\nThen we return to the center of Geneva, where the biennial Only Watch will unite 52 high-end watchmaking brands that have each created extraordinary unique pieces to be auctioned off, with proceeds being donated to the Monegasque Association Against Muscular Dystrophy to further its research on Duchenne muscular dystrophy. These exceptionally creative watches will be showcased to a privileged few in the Palace des Bergues before the Christie\u2019s auction the next day. It will be the last time you will have the chance to admire all 51 unique pieces of Only Watch 2019, which, according to experts in the industry, is likely to beat auction records this year (the total amount raised during the auctions is predicted to surpass the tens of millions).<\/p>\n

9 November – Geneva Watch Tour<\/span><\/strong><\/a>
\nGeneva Watch Tour, Bucherer, and the GPHG exhibition.<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

The Fine Watch Club will be unveiling Geneva\u2019s horological foundations, from its historical roots to the epitome of its contemporary artform.<\/p>\n

Geneva Watch Tour<\/strong>
\nThe Geneva Watch Tour (GWT) is a tour designed to visit Geneva while passing in front of hundreds of watch boutiques and numerous monuments that represent the horological roots of Geneva, all as a way of discovering why the \u201cCit\u00e9 de Calvin\u201d has become the watchmaking capital of the world.<\/p>\n

Bucherer<\/strong>
\nArguably the biggest retailer in the world and prominent figure in the Swiss watchmaking industry in relation to Rolex, Bucherer has just completely renovated its historical building on the rue du Rh\u00f4ne and opened an entire floor dedicated to certified pre-owned watches. Visit this temple of luxury watchmaking and discover the many surprises it holds amongst its rare pieces.<\/p>\n

Grand Prix d\u2019Horlogerie de Gen\u00e8ve Exhibition<\/strong>
\nAfter a convivial Genevan lunch in the company of the Fine Watch Club\u2019s Managing Director, members will visit the Mus\u00e9e d\u2019Art et d\u2019Histoire, where the 84 watches selected for the GPHG will be exhibited in a spectacular setting\u2014and some pieces can even be handled (with care!). The award winners will have been announced the night prior. In this environment filled with cultural significance, the Watch Photo Awards (created by our parent company, GMT Publishing), will also hold the opening of its 2019 exhibition. The 60 photos selected for this international watch photography competition will adorn the walls of the museum.<\/p>\n

*** In order to best welcome members in an exclusive setting, only 10 spots are available for these days, and only one guest per member is permitted. You can reserve your day here<\/a> ***<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Geneva reaffirms its status as the horological capital of the world from 31 October to […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":35,"featured_media":34240,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[30,1646],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gmtmag.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/34247"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gmtmag.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gmtmag.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gmtmag.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/35"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gmtmag.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=34247"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.gmtmag.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/34247\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":34269,"href":"https:\/\/www.gmtmag.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/34247\/revisions\/34269"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gmtmag.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/34240"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gmtmag.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=34247"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gmtmag.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=34247"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gmtmag.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=34247"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}