Independents

with the independents located mainly in the sourthern part, accessible at street level across the big plaza vis-à-vis the main entrance. Since my interest is also focused on the smaller independents, I made the following experiences in the past years:

1. Maybe too late for you to schedule the visit, but attending the show at the second to last day the press people had left in previous years and the exhibitors were usually in a relaxed mood with some time on hand for visitors without appointment.

2. Trying to meet an independent without appointment, Sunday morning, right at opening time (09.00 h), might also increase chances for a talk.

3. With Kari Voutilainen and Romain Gauthier, as examples, appointments in advance seem necessary for a talk with them; they used to be in meetings non-stop. Romain Gauthier used also to have a fairly "closed" booth with only a few watches shown outside in a small glass box; this box was also empty when the press or a customer met him.

4. The AHCI booth (this year with a record of 21 exhibitors) has an open design, so visitors are expected to enter it. There are times akin to a beehive, but there are always members of the AHCI around for a talk. The whole atmosphere is very relaxed.

5. Hanging around the AHCI booth a bit (particularly on Sunday) gives a chance to meet visiting but non-exhibiting independents.

6. Visit the "wild" exhibitors in the Hyperion hotel next to the exhibition halls. Swiss Creative Lab and The Hype as organisers have rented rooms on several floors. I will also visit there because I am interested to see the watches of, e.g., DeWitt, Holthinrichs, Lundis Bleus, GoS and Ophion shown in hotel rooms.

7. If you like books on watchmaking, visit the booth of Watchprint/Europa Star magazine. They have not only the latest titles but an excellent selection with them for perusal. Mr. Mugnier and Mrs. Wettstein, the owners of Watchprint, can give excellent advise about books matching a particular interest.

8. Don't expect to get a table in a good restaurant in town at the evening without reservation.

Enjoy the show,

Björn

More posts: DeWittRomain GauthierVoutilainen

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