Story Highlight
– Chronopolis watch event scheduled for April 14-18, 2024.
– Located at Les Halles de l’Île, Geneva.
– Focus on design-led space and independent brands.
– Free admission encourages interactions among attendees.
– Features 20 independent brands for inaugural showcase.
Full Story
A new watch exhibition titled Chronopolis is set to take place from 14 to 18 April in Geneva, coinciding with this year’s Watches and Wonders event. The venue, Les Halles de l’Île, is strategically located in the heart of the city, embodying the event’s theme of creating “a city within a city.”
Chronopolis aims to differentiate itself from traditional watch fairs by offering a refreshing and industrial atmosphere that prioritises design, mirroring the innovative spirit of the brands it will showcase. This initiative is spearheaded by APRESDEMAIN, the creative agency known for its work with the watch industry and the publication Heist-Out.
Open to the public at no cost throughout its duration, the event has been designed with a focus on accessibility and engagement. The organisers have crafted an immersive experience intended to foster authentic interactions between brands, collectors, and industry stakeholders, moving away from the competitive atmosphere often found at larger trade shows.
Chronopolis seeks to create a collaborative environment for independent watchmakers, allowing them to share a platform without succumbing to competition. The participating brands encompass a diverse range, including notable names such as Arsene Lippens, Atelier Wen, AWAKE, Baltic, and YEMA, among others—totaling 20 independent brands for its inaugural edition.
Lorenzo Maillard, co-founder of APRESDEMAIN, remarked, “Chronopolis opens the doors to a new rhythm for independent watch brands that break the norms. Free and open to all, this first edition puts people, scenography and storytelling at the core of the experience. Independence, authenticity, and openness are often overused words in our industry, but here, no BS, they’ve been the true founding layers of the project since day one.”
