Big announcement from Watches & Wonders Geneva: the Virtual Salon is born. On 25 April, at 12 noon, everyone will be connected to the . of Watches & Wonders to discover the 2020 novelties of the 30 exhibiting brands. The platform, launched by the Fondation de la Haute Horlogerie (FHH), will offer dynamic interactive and educational opportunities while presenting the culture, values and objectives of the Brands it represents. Following the Covid-19 pandemic, FHH was forced to cancel the Watches & Wonders Geneva event (formerly known as SIHH) and immediately adapt to the new situation. "We are delighted to be able to collaborate with the world's top watchmaking brands to bring the Watches & Wonders concept online to life at a time when our industry needs it most," says Fabienne Lupo, President and Director General of the Fondation de la Haute Horlogerie. "This dynamic new platform will allow watch enthusiasts, wherever they are, to discover new and exciting products, enjoy unique experiences and connect directly with all our participating Brands in one space." For the first phase of Watches & Wonders, the platform will feature dedicated pages for each Brand, where visitors will be able to discover their respective universe and the new watches of 2020. They will also be able to see updated social media content as well as connect directly with the Brands through their websites and channels. On the occasion of the 'opening day', FHH organised a series of presentations of the new products by the heads of the 30 Brands via ten-minute streaming videos, which will always be accessible on the portal. FHH, in cooperation with the Brands involved, members of its Cultural Council and various opinion leaders, is also curating numerous specific and educational contents, including product analyses, trend forecasts, insights into design, art, craftsmanship and technological innovation, as well as business talks with leading industry figures and expert commentaries. The new platform is designed to remain an important meeting point for watch enthusiasts, the industry and the entire sector beyond this first phase at the end of April, and will be regularly updated with new content in the long term. In the second phase, planned for late summer, new product launches will be unveiled, there will be presentations of strategic e-commerce partnerships, which will increase the relevance of the platform for watch lovers, further enhancing the value of the participating brands. The new watchesandwonders.com platform, a key player in the new "global ecosystem" created by FHH to meet the needs of its watchmaking Brands, will become the flagship of excellence, complementing the annual experiential events including the main event in Geneva in April 2021.
