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Watches And Wonders 2022: Everything You Need To Know
With the world’s most iconic labels and scintillating designs gathered in one place, all eyes were on Geneva at the 2022 Watches and Wonders convention. From the innovative to the incredible and everything in between, find out what left us in awe in our highlights of this extravaganza.
The pinnacle of the horology industry’s calendar, the doors of Watches and Wonders 2022 finally opened on Wednesday 30th March, kickstarting a six-day celebration of iconic watch brands, new and exclusive designs, and exemplary craftsmanship at one glittering spectacle.
Here at Ernest Jones, we kept our customers in the know about the key players of this highly anticipated watch show. That’s why we sent a team of our experts to the event to provide exclusive insight and information about the most lauded brands and coveted watch launches.
Watches and Wonders 2022 – a brief event summary
Uniting 38 watch and jewellery brands for the first time under one roof, this exhibition extraordinaire – held in Geneva, Switzerland – served as the perfect opportunity for the most prestigious horology brands to showcase their novelties to the world on an unparalleled scale.
Marking a new era post-pandemic, Watches and Wonders allowed visitors to discover the very best the horological world has to offer after two difficult years that limited social activities and affected the retail industry.
To reflect a new and changing climate, the event showcased pieces in both physical and digital formats, allowing a global audience to enjoy this riveting hybrid experience. Watch devotees attending in person were able to interact with products during multi-sensory ‘Touch & Feel’ sessions, while studios and booths – equipped with state-of-the-art Visiodome equipment – enabled brands to display timepieces both physically and remotely. Along with the latest launches and releases, the show featured panel discussions, CEO speeches and expert opinions, and news and highlights tailored to the needs of the most ardent aficionados and collectors.
The 10 Best Watches We Saw at Watches and Wonders 2022
Of course, the star attraction of this international trade fair, were the watches – and the brands didn’t disappoint, unveiling a host of models destined to become icons. So which brands and models were most eagerly awaited?
TAG Heuer
When it came to showcasing timepieces that set the standard, TAG Heuer rose to the occasion. Presenting a selection of watches, the Aquaracer Professional 300 and the Monaco Gulf Special Edition were certainly the focus of attention, embodying the brand’s high-octane, high-performance philosophy.
1. TAG HEUER AQUARACER PROFESSIONAL 300 ORANGE DIVER
A new addition to the Aquaracer Professional 300 core collection, the Orange Diver was unveiled at the event, drawing inspiration from a historic model released in 1979. Embracing a vibrant aesthetic to create a vivid contrast against the ocean’s deep blue hue, the luxurious tool took design cues from the diver reference 844 – a favourite among collectors that brought unprecedented success to the brand in the ‘70s. A triumphant bridging of an illustrious past with an exciting future, this bold, energetic model was made for adventure.
2. TAG HEUER MONACO GULF SPECIAL EDITION
Joining forces with Gulf for this special edition version, TAG Heuer debuted the latest iteration of its legendary Monaco line. A captivating co-creation, the design boasted all the elements that have sealed the Monaco’s status as a classic: a 39 mm case, a left-side crown, sunray dial with pearl white counters at 3 and 9 o’clock, date window at 6 and a vintage Heuer logo at 12. Imagined in the colours and design of Gulf Oil International brand and powered by the brand’s in-house movement Heuer 02 – a world first – it confirmed this model as a must-have for both lovers of the racetrack and cutting-edge craftsmanship.
3. TAG HEUER AQUARACER PROFESSIONAL 200 SOLARGRAPH
Arguably TAG’s most anticipated model, the brand’s first ever solar-powered timepiece certainly lived up to the hype. Receiving a rousing reception, this technological milestone was created to change the way your view timekeeping instruments. A perfect balance of outstanding quality and performance, this versatile wristwatch, featuring pioneering TH50-00 movement, recharges with the power of the sun or artificial light – requiring no need for a change of battery. Taking you from day to night effortlessly, the brand’s signature Super-LumiNova dial offers legibility at night, catering to outdoor enthusiasts’ every need.
TUDOR
A brand synonymous with excellence, TUDOR showcased its latest luxury watches to the world. From old favourites to new innovative designs enriched with distinctive detailing, TUDOR delivered the triumphant show that everybody expected.
4. BLACK BAY PRO
Building on its reputation for creating emblematic models chosen by the boldest adventurers, TUDOR proudly unveiled the Black Bay Pro. Inspired by vintage TUDOR watches worn by 30 explorers who embarked on a two year expedition to study Arctic ice exactly 70 years ago, this model is a fitting homage. Designed for professional use, the timepiece boasts a dual time zone feature.
5. TUDOR ROYAL
A name first used by TUDOR in the 1950s to emphasise the superior quality of its watches, the Royal range is exquisite in every way. Characterised by a sleek, slender design, these self-winding watches with integrated bracelets harmoniously marry first-class technical performance with a distinguished aesthetic, offering a welcome fusion of classic and sports style.
6. BLACK BAY GMT
A true icon, TUDOR's famous Black Bay diver’s watch is available with a GMT function that establishes local time without losing sight of the time in two other time zones. Fitted with the Manufacture Calibre MT5652, the Black Bay GMT sports a 24-hour graduated rotating bezel with two colours.
7. BLACK BAY CHRONO
Having produced watches closely tied to the world of motor sport since 1970, when the brand introduced its first chronograph, the Black Bay Chrono honours this heritage with this chic, sports-inspired chronograph. Fuelled by a high-performance automatic Manufacture Calibre, this powerful design is finished with contrasting sub-counters, a column wheel and a vertical clutch.
8. BLACK BAY 31, 36, 39 AND 41 S&G
Exuding sophistication, the Black Bay 31, 36, 39 and 41 S&G models bring a unique aesthetic to the Black Bay line. Instantly recognisable thanks to their curved cases and polished yellow gold sections, they’re an elegant, versatile alternative to the brand’s more adventure-minded tools, bringing a refined touch to daily ensembles. Also available in steel and gold varieties, these models cater to all styles and tastes.
Zenith
Since its founding in 1865, Zenith has been at the forefront of iconic movements to pioneering designs, which is why its rightly earned its title of ‘Master of Chronographs’. Holding a ‘Master of Chronographs Since 1865’ exhibition at Watches and Wonders, visitors were able to explore Zenith’s unique history of chronographs. Alongside 15 rare and historically significant pieces dating from the late 19th century to the present, the label also shone a light on its newly updated Chronomaster Open collection and the latest versions of its award-winning Chronomaster Sport.
9. CHRONOMASTER OPEN
Originally launched in 2003 as the first chronograph with a partially open dial, the Chronomaster Open has returned in a totally redesigned form to allow the wearer to witness ZENITH’s mastery of the high-frequency chronograph. Crafted with a 39.5mm case in steel or rose gold, the new timepiece revisits the iconic tri-colour dial configuration with a transparent twist. Powered by the El Primero 3604 calibre movement, the newly developed movement is based on the El Primero 3600 1/10th of a second automatic high-frequency calibre, with a more open architecture, resulting in a modern interpretation of vintage lines.
10. CHRONOMASTER SPORT
Setting a new benchmark for automatic sporty chronographs, the Chronomaster Sport is already a modern chronograph icon in the making. Especially unveiled at Watches and Wonders, Zenith presented a host of different versions of this celebrated line, including a rose gold edition, steel and a two-tone design combining rose gold and steel. Strong in design and visually sublime, this collection – boasting the brand’s signature El Primero counters with polished hands and applied markers – proved that performance and preciousness don’t have to be mutually exclusive.
Discover the best of Watches and Wonders at Ernest Jones
From the extravagant and the elegant to the exuberant, Watches and Wonders 2022 promised to fascinate, and it most definitely did. A visual feast in every way, the exhibition showcased a scintillating array of the finest watches and most admired brands, delivering innovation and ingenuity in equal measures.
Whether you’re intrigued by TAG Heuer’s technological creativity, the adventurous spirit of TUDOR or the finesse that comes naturally to Zenith, you can now explore and enjoy the very best that Geneva had to offer at Ernest Jones online or in store today.