Times are tough; the recession has caused companies to look for more ways to cut costs.This is why Geneva Time Exhibition dubbed "The Independent Watchmakers Fair" has played an important role for the smaller watch companies. Less known than the SIHH, the Geneva Time Exhibition ,which ran from January 17th to January 22nd, at the International Conference Center in Geneva, created a platform where smaller watch companies could pool limited resources and showcase their new watches. 38 watch brands were involved including Alain Silberstein, Clerc, HD3, Aspen, B.R.M, Louis Moinet, Kubik (makers of watch winders) and many others.
The event was well publicized and convenient being that it coincided with the SIHH event. 500 journalists attended GTE documenting exciting innovative timepieces crafted by talented watchmakers who used the Exhibition to make their presence known in the world of watchmaking. In addition a surprisingly large number of orders were made at the show, an encouraging sign of gradual recovery from the recession.
Sotheby's, BMW, Laurent Perrier and Arasa Morelli were the official partners of this event. Florence Noël, Dominique Franchino, Paola Orlando, the founders of GTE were ecstatic with the results and success of this Fair, and have decided to take their fair global - first stop ,India, later this year at the launch of Mumbai Time Exhibition.