AHMED SEDDIQI & SONS – Watches and Wonders 2024 Recap

In its most ambitious edition yet, Watches and Wonders Geneva 2024 presented over 54 brands to an eager audience of watchmaking industry professionals from April 9 to 12, and then opened its doors to the curious public during the weekend of the 13 to the 15.

As well as the impressively-designed booths at Geneva’s Palexpo exhibition centre the whole of the city came alive too, with watch brands and enthusiasts meeting up at hotels, restaurants and cafés beside the famed Geneva lakefront as well as in the luxurious Rue du Rhône boutiques and museums.

But the most impressive displays – and timepieces – were no doubt found within the walls of the Palexpo. Even French international footballer Kylian Mbappé stopped by to take a closer look at Hublot’s artful installation, chic lounge and numerous launches. Van Cleef & Arpels’s giant swaying Murano glass blades of grass, which made us feel like tiny ants amid their greenery, played host to stunning automaton clocks and the breath-taking Lady Arpels Jour Enchanté and Nuit Enchantée watches. The Parisian Maison really brought its most extraordinary skills to the fore, marking itself as a master of magic and whimsy – let’s see if its artful display makes it to Dubai later this year.

Also on top of their game were the watchmakers at Chopard, giving us ever-more stirring displays of gemsetting with the astounding fully-paved Alpine Eagle 41 XP Frozen Summit, undoubtedly one of the most memorable timepieces presented this year. The Alpine Eagle XL Chrono was also a highlight for spans of sporty-chic watches, with a choice of sturdy titanium and ‘Rhône blue’ dial, or in a subtly appealing rose gold. And the Ahmed Seddiqi & Sons team was there to take it all in.

“We were delighted to return to Watches and Wonders Geneva this year and reconnect with industry peers,” noted Mohammed Abdulmagied Seddiqi, Chief Commercial Officer at Seddiqi Holding. “Viewing the latest launches, meeting with brand principles, and exploring new ideas and brands is a testament to the innovation in our industry.

“The standout timepieces this year were truly remarkable and we’re eager to share them with our clients. Notably, established brands like Rolex, Patek Philippe, and Chopard showcased impressive pieces. Additionally, TAG Heuer’s foray into haute horlogerie with the Monaco Split-Seconds Chronograph was impressive. We were equally intrigued by the bold innovations of independent brands. For instance, DOXA downsized with the 39mm Sub 200T, and Norqain introduced the fully customisable Wild ONE of 1 technology, empowering clients to craft their own timepieces. It has been an exciting week for horology and stay tuned for updates on regional-specific launches from multiple brands.

The inclination to create smaller diameters continued, most notably at Hublot with the launch of the 38mm Big Bang Integrated Time Only – a perfectly-proportioned and diamond-set novelty sure to delight fans of the brand with wrists too dainty for their more bulky designs. Alpina also premiered a slimmed-down dial and profile with the 34mm x 35.2mm Alpiner Extreme Quartz in four new and distinctive colours, a welcome change for fans of more subtle timepieces.

And while it has always been a traditionally popular shade, a strong trend back toward blue dials also seems to be emerging – two of Rolex’s novelties, the solid gold Oyster Perpetual Rolex Deepsea and the elegantly crafted Perpetual 1908 sported contrasting tones of blue, while Hublot’s Big Bang MP-11 Water Blue Sapphire and Chronoswiss novelties Strike Two H20 and ReSec Vertical Blue Manufacture all paid tribute to the resurgence of blue’s popularity. Tudor took the Watches and Wonders opportunity to add its signature blue dial to the Clair de Rose steel-case and bracelet mechanical watch range, now available in sizes ranging from 26mm to 34mm. And the TAG Heuer Monaco also stuck to its classic blue for the launch of the Monaco Split-Seconds Chronograph, proving that while some trends may come and go, others endure – and are worth investing in.

The passion for ceramic also continued apace, with Bell & Ross launching their 3 05 Black Ceramic timepiece in both solid dials and skeletonised versions. Hublot managed to create a shade of this ultra-light and strong material in orange for the very first time with its Big Bang Unico Orange Ceramic, and the Rolex Deepsea also sported a vivid blue ‘Cerachrom’ bezel designed to withstand even the most punishing diving conditions.

All in all, it was a week to remember for all the right reasons – and while there will be yet more surprises to come throughout the year, at least for now we look forward to welcoming these new models to our region, sooner rather than later. Stay tuned!