Editor’s pick — Accessory quick take: key highlight (movement/specs for watches, materials/finish, limited run, pricing tier) in 1–2 lines.
Each year, as spring returns to the shores of Lake Geneva, bringing with it contrasting days of grey rainy dreariness and crisp, shimmering sunshine, a storm descends upon the picturesque canton. But this storm doesn’t contain the aforementioned April showers; instead, it’s thousands upon thousands of passionate professionals, journalists, retailers, brand representatives, and collectors, all congregating for that most celebrated of horological weeks: Watches & Wonders.
For those who attend, it is a marathon of epic proportions, with days spent rushing from one appointment to the next with barely a moment to breathe and evenings spent either at fabulous dinners or hunched over laptops until the wee hours of the morning. It’s a pace that gives you whiplash (and for those who work for the brands, be it in sales, PR, marketing, or otherwise, it is even more grueling). For everyone else following along at home with a love for watches, it is the Super Bowl, Christmas Morning, and the Emerald City at the end of the Yellow Brick Road, all rolled into one.
Walking into the show for the first time is an overwhelming experience. The sheer scope and scale of the installations (to call them ‘booths’ deeply undersells the grandeur) are hard to understand. Each brand spends months, if not years, designing and building entire flagship boutiques within the halls of Palexpo, each trying to make an impact on the industry and communicate its themes, strategies, and identity for the coming year. It’s wild to see.
While attendance was reportedly up 9% across the board, with over 60,000 unique visitors, the overall energy at the show was less frenetic than in previous years. Styles at the show reflected a similar vibe. Broadly speaking, formal suiting, though still present, took a back seat to more casual yet considered looks. Likewise, at the opposite end of the spectrum, dramatic, fashion-forward looks were less prominent, leaving room for understated, elegant outfits, accentuated by pops of color and punctuated by distinct accessories.
Oliver Gallaugher Deep Space blue, 38mm in Stainless Steel, worn on the wrist of WatchTime Senior Editor Zen Love (@zlo_watches).
Prominent collector and Quill & Pad contributor Gary Getz (@garyg_1) with his A. Lange & Söhne 1815 Rattrapante Honeygold “Homage to F. A. Lange”.
Rolex Day-Date in 18k White Gold on President Bracelet…
Worn by none other than Hodinkee’s own Ben Clymer (@benclymer).
MB&F Legacy Machine Perpetual Calendar in White Gold.
Dimepiece founder Brynn Wallner (@dimepiece.co).
Brynn’s Cartier Tank Française in Steel.
Patrick Demspey stopped by the TAG Heuer booth for a chat with GQ.
Auro Montanari, aka John Goldberger (@goldberger).
Cartier Privé Tank à Guichets Oblique in Platinum.
Mr. “WM Brown” Himself, Matt Hranek (@wmbrownproject), looking understated and elegant in earth tones…
…wearing a Rolex Submariner Ref. 5513 with gilt dial.
George Bamford of Bamford Watch Department (@bamfordwatchdepartment) decked out in trademark blue.
TAG Heuer Monaco Calibre 11 Bamford Edition.
Andrew McUtchen and Russel Sheldrake of Time & Tide preparing to share their thoughts on Rolex’s newest novelties.
Super Niche Founder Perri Dash (@perridash) wearing Première De Cartier Sunglasses and a Homme Plissé Issey Miyake blazer.
Paired flawlessly with a Cartier Tortue in Platinum
Lydia Winters (@lydiaswatches) wearing tweed, corduroy, and red Balenciaga sneakers.
Nomos Glashütte Tangente Neomatik & a Leica M11 EV1.
Chad Alexander (@itschadalexander) in a monotone look, accented with Akila Stereo Sunglasses.
… and a Panerai PAM1348 Radiomir 8 Giorni on the wrist.
A Neo Vintage Chanel Chocolat Digital on the wrist of Georgia Benjamin (@georgiabenj).
Vacheron Constantin MCMLXXII in 18k yellow gold.
Dana Li (@tell.the.time) in all black (like a true New Yorker) with a pop of color.
Vintage Rolex GMT-Master Ref. 1675/3 Rootbeer ‘Nipple Dial’.
Watch collector Patrick Stachel (@Patrickthesting) double-wristing an IWC 389001 Top Gun – currently a one of one for the civilian market – alongside an IWC Pilot’s Double Chronograph Top Gun in Ceratanium.
Yoni Ben-Yehuda of Material Good (@lifeofyoni) wearing a Husband’s Paris double-breasted suit.
Paired with the new Vanguart Orb Pink Ceramic and Titanium in collaboration with Material Good.
Can you guess the specific moon phase on RedBar CEO Kathleen McGivney’s (@kmcgivney) nail?
Ming Liu (@mingliuwrites) looking vibrant on Day 2.
Wearing a Cartier Tank Must with red lacquer dial.
Facundo Garayalde (@facundogarayalde) wearing Matias Carbone.
Paired with a Hublot Classic Fusion Titanium King Gold.
Esquire Creative Director Nick Sullivan (@Nicksullivanesq) in a Blue Blue Japan indigo patchwork chore coat…
…and a Cartier Tank Louis in 18k yellow gold.
Usain Bolt (@UsainBolt) discussing his latest collaboration with Hublot, the Big Bang Reloaded Usain Bolt Ceramic Carbon.
An elegant Frederique Constant Slimline Moonphase worn both under and over the cuff.
Justine Dupont-Martin (@ju_stine_time) is casual chic with touches of Chanel.
Chanel Première Iconic Chain Double Row.
Stephen Pulvirent (@sjpulvirent) sporting a Ring Jacket for the Armoury and Christian Kimber Shirt…
…wearing the Grand Seiko Elegance SBGY023 for GS9.
Monsieur François-Paul Journe.
Wearing the (nearly impossible to photograph) F.P. Journe Furtif.
Vacheron Constantin’s 270th Anniversary Masterpiece, La Quête Du Temps Clock With Automaton.
Taylor Stoddard (@taylorstoddard) always comes to play.
Wearing vintage Baume & Mercier
The best kept secret at the show – the fresh pizza tucked away on the smoking terrace.
Not a secret for much longer…
Kimon Frangakis (@frangakis) in dapper grey tweed.
Paired with a Vacheron Constantin Patrimony in pink gold.
Pierre Lu (@uboat_tiwan) in red and white stripes with a wide leg trouser…
…and an Arnold & Son Perpetual Moon Year of the Ox.
When you’re at Palexpo, you’re always on the clock…
Patek Philippe Ref. 5004J.
Georgia Liakou (@georgia.liakou_) with a wide tie and trousers to match…
…with an IWC Pilot’s Chrono 41
Georgia Benjamin (@georgiabenj) showing why she is the queen of horological accessories.
Rolex Day-Date Ref 18238 in 18k Yellow gold.
Benrus DTU-2A/P in 34mm on a badass Bund strap.
Erika Ratini, aka Miss GMT (@watchmissgmt), in neutral tones…
…with a Rolex Daytona Ref. 126500LN.
Oris Big Crown ProPilot X Calibre 115.
Benjamin Buhler (@benjamin_buhler) looking effortless with a Chanel Medallion Chain Belt…
and mixing metals with a Longines DolceVita in steel.
RedBar CEO Kathleen McGivney, Oris Designer Lena Dina Verena Huwiler, and RedBar Founder Adam Craniotes.
A gaggle of Oris X RedBar Limited Edition IIs and the wrist of the designer behind it.
Outside the Ulysse Nardin both, there were a couple of robots running around.
A M.A.D. Editions M.A.D.2 in the wild.
Andy Green (@andygreenlive) of the OT Podcast looking adventurous…
… wearing a Chopard L.U.C. XPS Forest Green.
Nomos Glashütte Club Campus 36 Special Edition for the Nomos Watch Club.
About The Author
Troy Barmore (@troybarmore) is a luxury watch, eyewear, and heritage goods specialist, journalist, and photographer based in New York City. Troy is a contributor to many horological outlets, including Hodinkee, Revolution Magazine, and Chrono24 Magazine.
Source: www.hodinkee.com — original article published 2026-04-24 19:00:00.
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