Three days of back-to-back meetings at Geneva Watch Days has left me inspired by the creativity and horological expertise of independent watchmakers and a little nauseous that the multimillionaires of the world are untouched by the current cost of living challenges and still eager to drop five, six or even seven figures on spectacular, but utterly unnecessary, wristwear.
I was glad to be staying as a guest of Maurice Lacroix, where watches affordable with a decent quarterly bonus were on show.
Such is the current demand for artisan independents that many have stopped taking orders from retail partners and customers.
Good for them, they have earned their success. I just hope it doesn’t go to their heads.
As a card-carrying capitalist and free marketeer, I set my queasiness aside and immersed myself in a fascinating tour through the lowest volume, highest price end of the watch business.
My personal favourites were not the outlandish artworks of a Jacob & Co, Urwerk or Bovet, which have to be seen up-close to be believed, but the sheer precision in the finishing of Laurent Ferrier and Czapek.
I was also glad to see Russian watchmakers Konstantin Cheykin and Raketa on display.
I wholeheartedly support Swiss brands pulling out of Russia over the invasion of Ukraine, but the country’s producers do not deserve to be tarred with the same brush as their ruler.
Geneva Watch Days is a relaxed affair, with brands meeting trade, press and consumers in a cluster of hotel rooms or in their own boutiques.
There is a gathering each evening in a marquee next to the majestic lake where the issues of the day — war, poverty, political chaos, global warming, flying tourbillons, etc — are discussed over gallons of Moet.
The world of ultra luxury micro-engineering is a bizarre place at a time of so many macro economic and geopolitical challenges, but it remains on its axis, and I guess we should all be grateful we do not live in a time and place when we are told what we can and cannot buy and sell.