My Highlights From A Week In Switzerland For Geneva Watch Days

December 16, 2019

It s always a pleasure to return to Geneva. The lake, the atmosphere, and, of course, the watch industry coming together make it feel like home for a week. Compared to Watches and Wonders, Geneva Watch Days has a different rhythm, feeling a little more relaxed but no less important. For me, it s as much about catching up with old friends as it is about seeing new releases. This industry still runs on face-to-face relationships, and that s one of the aspects I enjoy most. You can only get so far with emails and Zoom calls. Sitting down with people you know and respect, often over a coffee or late dinner, adds a depth that no digital interaction can replicate. All of this made for a memorable trip once again, and it feels like the right time to share some of my highlights from a week in Switzerland for Geneva Watch Days.Let me preface this by saying that one of the perks of attending the event is seeing what is coming later in the year. Much of it is under embargo, so while I cannot show or tell you everything, I can say there are some fascinating things on the horizon. Just because we are entering the final quarter of the calendar year does not mean brands are slowing down - quite the opposite. If anything, the best may still be to come. There is also something fun about knowing a secret and waiting to see how the wider world reacts when the covers are finally lifted. It keeps the buzz alive long after the week itself is over.WRK ACF-02A special trip to Tel?sA personal highlight came outside Geneva itself. I traveled with WRK Timepieces to Tel?s SA to see the very first ACF-02 prototype in the metal. This was a moment I had been waiting for, and it lived up to every expectation. It felt special to witness such a key step in WRKs journey alongside the talented team at Tel?s.I love this photo. That movement is absolutely killer, and the strap goes well with my Black Badger ring - an unplanned but happy coincidence.To hold a prototype that represents years of planning, design, and development is always humbling. You realize just how many people and ideas are behind a single watch. I have already shared my full hands-on impressions of the watch in a dedicated article, but it remains one of the most memorable parts of my week.Greubel Forsey Balancier ContemporainStarting strong with Greubel ForseyTradition has me visiting Greubel Forsey as my very first meeting of the show, and it is always the right way to begin. The brand never fails to set a tone of excellence that carries through the rest of the week. This year was no different. The non-EWT Nano Foudroyante was beautiful in its clarity, the new GMT and QP Balancier impressed as expected, but the all-blue Balancier Contemporain stole the show. It was bold, refined, and almost sculptural in how it played with light. GMT Balancier Convexe QP Balancier Later in the week, I even bumped into the elusive Stephen Forsey in town, which felt like a fitting full circle to the experience. While he may no longer be heavily involved in the brand s day-to-day operations, it was super cool to meet him in person. He is a true English gent, and he happily took the time to have a quick chat with us despite being accosted in the street. No, I did not ask for a selfie.Ming Project 21 – SeriesMings next stepI had the chance to sit down with Ming, and those conversations are always fascinating. Without giving too much away, Ming has something super exciting coming that is not even a watch. It will surprise many people, and I cannot wait to see the reaction when it is unveiled. Ming Thein himself is such an engaging character, always full of fresh ideas and a slightly mischievous way of framing them. Spending an hour talking with him feels less like an interview and more like a creative brainstorming session. The guy is a genius, and anyone who s had the pleasure of chatting with him for more than five minutes will tell you the same.Urwerk UR-150 Blue ScorpionUrwerk always deliversA visit to Urwerk is never dull. The new Blue Scorpion was a delight to handle, but what really caught my attention was the glimpse of the brand s next launch scheduled for later this year. It looks very different from what we usually expect from Urwerk, but in the best possible way, and at the same time, it seems oh-so familiar. There is a sense that the brand thrives on challenging itself to move away from the familiar, and I admire that. When you see Urwerks watches in person, you understand just how much engineering goes into making these wild ideas practical and wearable.Ulysse Nardin Diver AirUlysse Nardin surprisesThe Diver Air from Ulysse Nardin was another treat. I had missed it earlier in the year at Watches and Wonders, so finally seeing it in real life was satisfying. It looked every bit as good as the early press shots suggested, with a presence that balanced tool-watch ruggedness and a cleaner, modern edge.The brand also had one of the most exciting embargoed pieces I saw during the whole week. I cannot share more just yet (sorry if youre getting a little tired of hearing that!), but it is one I will be keeping a close eye on and something I expect will spark a lot of conversation when it arrives. I took plenty of photos, so I can share a full hands-on experience as soon as I am allowed to do so.Behrens Vianney Halter KWHBehrens and Vianney HalterOne of the big talking points was the Behrens collaboration with Vianney Halter, the KWH. Priced at US$49,000, it had some collectors questioning the market, but the answer came quickly. All 18 pieces sold out in less than 24 hours. That kind of response speaks volumes. It is a bold design with clear input from Vianney Halters unique creative vision, and it stands apart in the growing Behrens portfolio. It is a very impressive watch, and I wrote a full article covering it in more detail. For me, it showed just how far Behrens has come in gaining serious credibility within the independent watchmaking scene. I also finally saw the 11G Purple Carbon in hand and on the wrist. I missed the prototype when it came through Fratello HQ earlier this year, so it was a pleasure to try one of the production pieces. The white strap and matching crown detail give it a striking edge. In person, it is every bit as cool as I hoped. Enjoy a few photos above!Closing thoughts on a week in Switzerland for Geneva Watch DaysBy the end of the week, I was running on little sleep but plenty of adrenaline. Geneva Watch Days once again reminded me why this industry is so rewarding to be part of. The chance to see friends, spend time with the brands I admire, and handle such a wide range of watches is a privilege I never take for granted. Many collectors will not see these pieces until months after release, if at all, so being there at the moment of discovery feels truly special.While it was a tiring week, it was also one full of energy and inspiration. Now Id love to hear from you, the Fratelli. What were your favorite launches or moments from this years Geneva Watch Days?