Geneva Watch & Car Shows Canceled Due To Coronavirus—Haute Time Launches U.S. Luxury Roadshows

Geneva Watch & Car Shows Canceled Due To Coronavirus—Haute Time Launches U.S. Luxury Roadshows

Paige Mastrandea
By Paige Mastrandea February 28, 2020

BaselworldPhoto Credit: Shutterstock

Each Winter and Spring, Geneva is flooded with watch and car enthusiasts and executives from the biggest luxury brands in the world coming to showcase their new releases. It was just announced by The Fondation de la Haute Horlogerie that their Watches & Wonders Fair in Geneva will not take place this year due to the recent spread of the coronavirus outbreak through Europe. It was originally planned to take place from April 25-29, inviting brands heavily dominated by Richemont Group including Cartier, IWC, Vacheron Constantin, Panerai and more than 20 others.

BaselworldPhoto Credit: Shutterstock

Watches & Wonders’ rival fair, Baselworld followed suit and just this morning announced that after originally being postponed, the show is now canceled for this year. Baselworld was scheduled to take place on April 20th, originally including 468 exhibitors, featuring luxury brands like Hublot, Rolex, Patek Philippe, TAG Heuer, Zenith, amongst others.

Geneva Motor ShowPhoto Credit: Shutterstock

To no surprise, next week’s anticipated Geneva Motor Show has also been canceled over Coronavirus fears, as Switzerland’s Federal Office of Public Health just made an announcement that “gatherings of over 1,000 people were banned through at least March 15th,” according to CNN Business. This is a big hit for brands who were planning on debuting their newest releases, including Alfa Romeo, Bentley, Hyundai, Pagani, BMW, Volkswagon, Audi, Mercedes, Aston Martin, amongst others.

Zach LaVinePhoto Credit: Getty Images

In light of the news and the loss of European activations due to the Coronavirus outbreak, Haute Time will put a heavy emphasis on the U.S. market, planning to maintain these luxury experiences nationally by hosting a series of roadshows throughout the country in the top luxury markets this year. Haute Time Haute Living will tap heavily into timepiece and automobile industries, as well as private aviation, yachting, wine & spirits, fashion and more—connecting the brands with end-users that are looking for a bridge in that connection through event activations with featured celebrities, collectors dinners, watch & car panels, showcases and more to come.

Stay tuned for more updates, please email paige@hauteliving.com for details.