Take a rare, behind-the-scenes look at watchmaking, its manufactures and specialist professions at the Biennale du Patrimoine Horloger, November 1st, 2nd and 3rd in La Chaux-de-Fonds, home of Swiss watchmaking. This ninth edition is a special one, as it is ten years since La Chaux-de-Fonds and neighbouring Le Locle were designated UNESCO World Heritage Sites for their urban planning, designed to facilitate watch production. The full programme for the three days is online from September 24th.

The Porsche works entry into the ABB FIA Formula E Championship 2019/2020 will be under the name of “TAG Heuer Porsche Formula E Team”. This ambition and this passion for motorsport are part of the common set of values uniting TAG Heuer and Porsche. This culture they share has always been anchored in an avant-garde approach – always looking to challenge convention and innovate, both in terms of aesthetics and uncompromising quality. This new partnership in Formula E will reap the benefits of combining expertise across various areas to push both companies to new dimensions in terms of technology, accuracy and connectivity.

Hublot has joined in partnership with Kevin Pietersen and SORAI (Save Our Rhinos Africa and India) to protect the rhinoceros, which is facing extinction. The ex-international cricket star, and Brand ambassador, is now able to dedicate himself entirely to a cause very close to his heart: saving these huge herbivorous mammals, found in Africa and in Asia, now a matter of urgency for the planet and our future generations. To seal this collaboration, the watch Manufacture has developed a watch which will be unveiled very soon.

Rolex bought an industrial building owned by Patek Philippe in Perly-Certoux, near Geneva for CHF 27 million. The building covers 53,819 square feet and offers space for 200 employees. At the same time, the luxury watchmaking giant is expanding its site in Chêne-Bourg, near Annemasse, highly appreciated by workers from neighboring France. In the autumn of 2015, Patek Philippe, the fourth Swiss watch brand, announced an investment of CHF 500 million at its Plan-les-Ouates site. The brand in hand of the Geneva family Stern did not specify the reason for this real estate sale to Rolex.

After several months of renovation and a major expansion of its spaces, the Chopard boutique reopens on the prestigious Bond Street. Installed at number 12-13, it becomes the largest boutique in Europe of the Swiss House. If Chopard has 160 points of sales around the world, it is with its London setting that it wishes to position itself in the world of high luxury. Felt atmosphere, old parquet floors and velvet armchairs, the “guests” are welcomed in a cozy setting thought like a family home.

In two months, 500,000 visitors have crossed the gates of the Forbidden City to admire the jeweler’s treasures. Cartier had already shown part of his jewelry collections ten years ago in Beijing. But this time, in the heart of the Forbidden City – now limited to 80,000 visitors a day – Cartier wanted to give back to Cesar what belongs to him. All these exceptional creations are shown alongside traditional Chinese pieces. The exhibition “Beyond Boundaries” also presents the women who did honor Cartier in the Roaring Twenties by wearing ornaments with Chinese motifs, such as Barbara Hutton or Mrs. Wellington Koo. The exhibition also recalls how Cartier was the exceptional jeweler of the kings and queens of the last decades, while continuing his watchmaking activities.

Swiss watchmakers report they are seeing little effect, no effect or a positive effect from the rise of Apple’s Watch, depending on who you ask. Almost nobody in the premium space thinks that the smartwatch is killing luxury timepieces. In fact, the youth appeal of Apple Watch is rearing a fresh generation of potential customers that are one step closer to become mechanical watch customers. Statistics support this theory. Since the launch of connected watches, the value of Swiss watch exports has risen from CHF 19.5 billion in 2016 to 21.2 billion in 2018. However, this optimism continues to be tested, with sales of Apple Watch and its rivals continuing to rocket. According to the latest research from Strategy Analytics, global smartwatch shipments grew an impressive 44% annually to reach 12.3 million units in the second quarter of 2019.

With nearly 200 “electrical” pieces, Alessandro Michele made his first entry in the world of Hight Jewelry, presenting his collection Place Vendôme in Paris. Already very involved in Gucci fine jewelry, whose campaigns inspired by tarot games or sessions of spiritualism bare his signature, Alessandro Michele sets himself a new challenge by taking Gucci on the pavement of the Place Vendôme. A daring bet for the artistic director who had already extended his fantasy in lifestyle decoration, food or travel with his “Gucci Places”, not to mention a beauty line with parfums and lipsticks.

Every year in autumn, the watches pre-selected by the GPHG jury travel the world for a series of exhibitions, offering an international audience unique opportunities to discover the recent technical and artistic achievements of an industry that combines tradition and innovation, passion and know-how. The 2019 travelling exhibition will present 84 watches by some 50 brands. It will begin in Asia in partnership with The Hour Glass, which will host the GPHG first in Sydney (September 27th to 29th), and then in Bangkok (October 3rd to 5th). The watches will then fly to Mexico City, where they will be guests of honour at the SIAR – Salón Internacional Alta Relojería (October 15th to 17th). Also in Mexico, they will then be presented in Puebla at the Museo Internacional del Barroco (October 18th to 20th), followed by a presentation at Torres Joyas (October 22nd and 23rd). Back in Geneva, the 84 timepieces will take up residence from November 1st to 14th in the palatine rooms of the city’s largest museum, the Musée d’art et d’histoire (MAH).