Geneva Diary Day 6: You are already dead. From Berthoud to Europa Star via a Chinese restaurant [Geneva Diary]

Watches & Wonders Geneva 2024, a watch trade fair, is being held in Geneva, Switzerland from Tuesday, April 9th ​​to Monday, April 15th. Masamasa Hirota, editor-in-chief of Chronos Japan, reports on this major watch industry event in a relaxed diary format. On Day 6, he covers another event held in Geneva, as well as a dinner with Serge Maillard, editor-in-chief of Europa Star and Hirota's friend.

Click here for past reports!
"Watches & Wonders Geneva 2024 Diary by Masamasa Hirota, Editor-in-Chief of Chronos Japan"

http://www.webchronos.net/blog/113426/

April 14th. Went to another trade fair, Time to Watch, and then to the W&W venue.

　I woke up feeling lethargic this morning. I ate almost all of the yogurt, but I'm starting to get tired of it. I wrote up my diary and then had a cup of yakisoba as a reward. To put it mildly, it was the best.

　I met someone at 10 and went to Chronométrie Ferdinand Berthoud at 11. The female director is extremely knowledgeable about watches. I think a brand with someone like her is strong.

　The new models are customizable, and the finish is as outstanding as ever. It's different from the pocket watches of the past, but it's a finish that can only be achieved now. If I had the money, I might become a Berthoud collector.

　I'm meeting someone again at 12 o'clock. It's part personal, part work. I really want to write, but it's probably not going to be possible for the time being.

　I liked Beauregard so much that I returned to the booth to take some photos and interview them. The base movement is by Andreas Strehler, the finishing is by Philippe Nabel, and the dial module is by Vianney Halter, making it an incredibly luxurious piece.

　According to Beauregard, the stones on the dial are fixed in place simply by pressing them in. We also get to see the Gummy Bear jewelry he started. The head alone costs about 1700 Swiss francs. It might make a great gift for a woman who likes bears.

　Afterwards, I took a shuttle bus to Cornavin Station and had Chinese food, or rather hot and sour soup, at Honky, a restaurant nearby. It's a favorite of the Kronos editorial team, and the food is so good I'm sure it would be quite popular if it opened a branch in Shinbashi.

　Incidentally, about 10 years ago, there was a huge poaching battle between two major Chinese restaurants in Geneva, Honky and Bokky, and it seems that Honky was the winner. Bokky's food had deteriorated, so it was replaced by a mysterious Asian restaurant, while Honky opened a huge store in a prime location near the station.

　While I was eating, a mysterious woman (older woman) from Vietnam called out to me. She said she wanted a kimono and would send it to me, and that she would pay for it. Hmm, what should I do?

　After buying my medicine, I went to the Fairmont Hotel, where an event called the Auto Jewelry Exhibition was being held. I met my old friend Filippo at Dolce & Gabbana. He complained, "Even though it's right next door, I don't have time to go to Watches & Wonders."

　Two new pieces made from different materials. We were also shown some dazzling jewelry. A feast for the eyes.

　After that, I checked out the Time to Watch exhibition at HEAD in Geneva. With brands like Sinn, Laco, Paul Picot, and Cimierre also in attendance, it felt like a bit of a Baselworld. What surprised me was that Marathon had a booth there.

　The new product is a collaboration with Jeep, and is likely to sell well in the US. "Do you know Marathon?" I said, "Of course, multi-purpose watches are great," and everyone was thrilled. Yep!

　On the shuttle bus from Time to Watch, I met a big, burly guy wearing an interesting watch. I asked him about it and found out he was the founder of Isotope Watch.

　The watch he was wearing was a collaboration model with Revolution. "I wanted a Genta Jumping Hour, but I didn't have the money, so I started a company," he said with a laugh.

　After returning to the Watches & Wonders venue, he was interviewed by Europa Star. Publisher Serge Maillard himself appeared. He spoke at great length about the Japanese watch industry. He said, "Right now, the Swiss watch industry has no rivals, especially in the luxury segment. Competition is necessary, and Japan, Germany, France and other countries could become competitors."

　After the meeting, I went to eat with Serge. It was mostly a private meal, though. Our deputy editor, Suzuki, also joined us. For some reason, he had fondue, while Hirota and Suzuki had pork stewed in beer. It was delicious, but we were full.

　Apparently Serge is giving a keynote speech at the Watches & Wonders venue tomorrow. He's incredibly optimistic, saying, "It's Monday, so no one will be listening anyway." We all laughed out loud as we drank.

　However, I finally wanted to soak in a bathtub. That night I dreamed that I was staying at a Dormy Inn. I peeked into the large public bath and woke up just as I thought it was time for a bath. Rest in peace.

　So, this is the end of Hirota's Geneva diary. I still have about a week to stay, but as it was an individual interview I can't write in detail. Thank you everyone for staying with me for so long!

Bonus: Inside the Time to Watches venue

Another watch fair, Time to Watches, was held at HEAD in Geneva from April 10th to 14th. Here are some photos from the event.