Is Watches and Wonders Dead? – Long Live Geneva Watch Week – Episode 76

Gabe and Asher bring a firsthand report from Watches and Wonders 2026 in Geneva, jet‑lagged but watch‑fueled. They walk listeners through the week’s key impressions: a general sense of underwhelming novelties from the big brands, alongside impressive investments in booth design and production value. The episode zeroes in on Audemars Piguet’s controversial, fully walled booth and strict queuing system, a move the hosts find off‑putting in a community event. In contrast, they highlight the energy downtown — the Beau Rivage, Time to Watches, Chronopolis and one‑off brand showings — where independents are generating excitement. Notable moments include Moser’s playful Reebok collaboration, Credor’s surprising standalone presence, and the growing prominence of independent makers in the Palexpo and around Geneva. The hosts also praise brands and spaces that created calm, focused environments for hands‑on encounters, such as Berneron’s art‑gallery meeting. Overall the episode frames the week as a snapshot of an industry in flux: shifts in where the action takes place, evolving brand strategies, pressures from costs and logistics, and a renewed appetite for independent creativity. Gabe and Asher close by promising a follow‑up with their favorite unsung watches of the week. Openwork is a weekly podcast about how the watch industry actually works. An unfiltered look behind the scenes — no press releases, no hype, and no sponsored takes. Hosted by Asher Rapkin and Gabe Reilly, co-founders of Collective Horology. Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube Music, or wherever you get your podcasts. You can find us online at collectivehorology.com. To get in touch with suggestions, feedback or questions, email [email protected].