Sam's Odyssey 101

April 19, 2026

One of the advantages of living in the Geneva area, especially as a watch lover, is the number of watch-related events and places you can experience.

Today, I went to Watches and Wonders, the biggest watch fair of the year, with my friend. It was my first time going, so I was really excited, and it definitely lived up to my expectations. The atmosphere was incredible, with creative and highly detailed displays from many famous watch brands. Each booth had its own theme, which made walking through the exhibition feel more like exploring different worlds than just looking at watches. We managed to visit almost every brand and see their newest pieces up close, which made the experience even more special.

My favorite brands this year were Roger Dubuis, IWC Schaffhausen, and Patek Philippe. The Excalibur Moonlight from Roger Dubuis really stood out to me because of its bold, space-themed design, which matched perfectly with the brand’s futuristic display. I also found IWC’s Pilot’s Venturer fascinating—it’s designed for astronauts and doesn’t have a traditional crown, which made it feel very different from any watch I’ve seen before. My favorite watch overall was Patek Philippe’s Grand Complications 6105G-001, mainly because of its elegant design and the incredible complexity behind its mechanism.

There were also plenty of places to sit, eat, and relax, which made the whole experience more comfortable, especially since we spent so much time walking around. Overall, it was an amazing and memorable day, and I’d definitely love to go again in the future. It also made me realize how much more there is to watchmaking than just telling the time. There is design, engineering, and creativity behind every piece, and that’s what makes it so interesting to explore.