Watches and Wonders 2026 - My First Visit and a Panerai to Remember

Each year, Watches and Wonders Geneva brings together the elite of the watchmaking world, transforming the city into a vibrant hub of craftsmanship, storytelling, and cutting-edge technology. Held from April 14 to 20, 2026, this year’s edition once again showed why it remains one of the most important gatherings in the watch world

My first time at Watches and Wonders Geneva - with the event
flags flying high above the city, the excitement began before I
even entered the fair.

The atmosphere was vibrant and full of excitement, creating a
feeling that was truly like paradise for any true watch enthusiast.

2026 - My First Time at Watches and Wonders Geneva

For me, this year was especially unforgettable because it was my first time attending Watches and Wonders in person. From the moment I arrived, I could feel the excitement everywhere. It was not only inside the fair itself - but the whole city also seemed to move with the same energy and enthusiasm. Being surrounded by so many exceptional timepieces, and having the opportunity to see, feel, and try on many of them, made the whole experience feel like paradise for any true watch enthusiast.

A Gathering of Watch Enthusiasts

What made the experience even more special was the feeling that Geneva had become a true meeting place for watch lovers from all over the world. Everywhere we went, conversations started naturally with people we had just met. Even in the hotel, the same theme kept coming up again and again: “We all came for Watches and Wonders.”

Even Geneva’s famous Flower Clock joined the celebration,
showing how the spirit of Watches and Wonders had taken over
the whole city.

Inside the hall, skilled professionals stood ready to demonstrate
their craftsmanship, bringing the art of watchmaking to life.

That was one of the most memorable parts of my first visit. It did not feel like attending a standard exhibition. It felt like being part of a global gathering of people who all shared the same passion for watches.

More Than a Watch Fair

There was also a strong sense of celebration throughout the event. For VIP guests, food and drinks flowed freely throughout, adding to the festive atmosphere and making the experience feel more like a lively gathering than a conventional watch fair.

A fascinating glimpse of vintage water-resistance testing
equipment - a reminder of the technical heritage behind great
watchmaking.

Audemars Piguet presented their remarkable histories like
chapters from a storybook, turning the fair into a journey through
time.

That energy matched the way the event itself was described officially - a “Salon buzzing with energy,” with Geneva set to the rhythm of watchmaking for an entire week. The event write-up also describes how the fair took over the city, with buzzing boutiques and a festive atmosphere throughout Geneva.

A Personal Highlight in Geneva

One of the unexpected highlights for me was even having the chance to meet Mr. James Dowling. In watch circles, he is widely known as “MrRX,” and he is recognized as a noted “R” brand authority and author. For a first-time visitor, moments like that made the whole experience feel even more surreal and memorable.

A memorable highlight of the trip - having the chance to meet Mr.
James Dowling in person.

A creative corner where visitors could enjoy pencil colouring using
brand-provided line drawings - a charming souvenir to take home.

Beyond the spectacular displays and new releases, what stayed with me most was the shared passion that filled the city during that week. Traditional craftsmanship stood alongside modern engineering, new materials, and immersive storytelling, making the event feel both prestigious and deeply engaging.

Among all the remarkable watches and presentations, one brand in particular stood out to me in a very personal way - Panerai.

Panerai - A Watch with a Story to Tell

Among all the brands at Watches and Wonders 2026, Panerai left one of the strongest impressions on me. What stood out was not only the design of the watches, but the way the brand presented its identity. On Panerai’s official Watches and Wonders 2026 page, the Maison says it returned to its “natural territory: the underwater world,” and centered its presentation around one clear idea - performance must be proven. The booth itself was described as a walk-through story, moving from water resistance to material research and extended power reserve.

That was exactly why this Panerai stayed with me. It did not feel like just another new release. It felt like a watch with history behind it, purpose in its design, and a story to tell.

My New Panerai from the 2026 Novelties Collection

Among Panerai’s 2026 novelties, the Luminor Destro PAM01732 immediately stood out to me. After first seeing it during the Watches and Wonders period, I later found it again at the Panerai flagship store on Zurich’s Bahnhofstrasse, and at that moment, there was simply no reason not to take it home.

At the Panerai flagship store on Zurich’s Bahnhofstrasse, the Luminor Destro PAM01732 felt impossible to leave behind.

A Strong Story Behind the Design

What makes PAM01732 especially appealing is its Destro configuration, with the crown-protecting bridge on the left side - a design rooted in Panerai’s military-diving history. The new model is inspired by the famous Panerai Ref. 6152/1 made for the Marina Militare in the 1960s and explains that the left-side crown layout allowed combat divers to wear the watch on their right wrist while using a depth gauge or compass with their left hand.

At Watches and Wonders 2026, Panerai returned to its natural territory - the underwater world. The left-crown Luminor Destro PAM01732 carried that spirit with unmistakable presence.

That is what gives the watch so much character to me. The story is built into the case itself. It is not different for the sake of being different - it feels authentic, purposeful, and unmistakably Panerai.

Vintage Spirit with Modern Presence

The PAM01732 captures the vintage spirit of its military predecessor, but in a more wearable 44mm steel case. With its matte blue sandwich dial, clean time-only display, and domed sapphire crystal that recalls vintage Perspex, it delivers a strong historical character while remaining thoroughly contemporary. Its versatility also makes it easy to pair with different straps, adding to its appeal as a watch that balances heritage, everyday wear, and personal style.

Matched with the Pam Collection Dark Brown Italian Leather Watch Strap, this was one of those combinations that felt right the moment I put it on - comfortable, natural, and easy to enjoy from every angle.

That, for me, is part of its charm. It carries the soul of a vintage Panerai yet never feels trapped in the past. On the wrist, it has a strong presence and a personality that feels both timeless and fresh.

Heritage Power, Built for Today

Beyond the design, the movement adds even more depth to the story. The PAM01732 is powered by the hand-wound P.6000 calibre with a 3-day power reserve, continuing the straightforward and functional spirit of Panerai’s historical tool watches. This hand-wound approach feels especially fitting, as it stays true to the brand’s heritage while preserving the simplicity and purpose that defines the watch.

The Textured Navy Blue FKM semi-curved lug 24mm watch band gave the watch a fresher, sportier feel, while still keeping the strong character of the Luminor Destro PAM01732.

That is one of the reasons this piece feels so special to me. It has a strong identity and unmistakable presence that draw people to Panerai, but it also feels honest and purposeful - a watch grounded in heritage yet still built for real modern wear.

Why This Piece Felt Right

For me, this Panerai has much more than technical appeal - it has a story to tell. From its military-inspired roots to the Destro design, to the matte blue dial, and then to the personal memory of finding it again in Zurich after the excitement of Watches and Wonders, the whole journey around this watch felt meaningful.

In this casual pocket shot, the Pam Collection Vintage Brown Horween Chromexcel Leather Watch Strap brought out a more relaxed and characterful side of the watch - effortless, warm, and full of charm.

It was not only a watch I admired during the fair - but it also became a watch I connected with personally. And in many ways, that is what Watches and Wonders is truly about - not just discovering new watches but discovering the pieces that speak to you most. Bringing this Panerai home made the whole experience feel complete and left me with a lasting reminder of my first Watches and Wonders journey.

Written by Vienna C., images by Vienna C. and Toni