As the doors of the world's only trade fair dedicated to high precision watchmaking, jewellery, microtechnology and medicine close, the organisers are smiling. “We knew that visitor numbers would be higher than in September 2021, when the health crisis ended,” explains Alexandre Catton, EPHJ director, however, this has exceeded our expectations. This development reflects the market trend, particularly in the watch industry, in which the order books tend to be quite full.”

More than 700 companies from all over Switzerland and from 14 different countries came together to celebrate EPHJ’s 20th anniversary. 18,000 Swiss and international trade visitors passed through the gates of Palexpo this year, which is an increase of more than 33 % over 2021. “We are gradually witnessing the return of foreign visitors, who will certainly be even more numerous in 2023.” In the opinion of the exhibitors, the quality of the visitors made the difference. 

Several highlights marked this 20th edition, including the last day being dedicated to job dating to attempt to fill the 300 vacant positions in these companies. At the inauguration of the EPHJ, the results of a survey performed among young Swiss people to better assess their relationship with watches revealed their attachment to fine mechanical watches, despite the notable progression of smartwatches.

It should also be noted that the 2022 Exhibitors’ Grand Prix was awarded to Polycrystal for its transparent ceramics. With regard to Altimet, winner of the Watch Medtech Challenge, this innovative company predicts the wear and tear of the implants.

Following the closure of this 20th edition, the EPHJ show returns from 6 – 9 June 2023 at the Palexpo in Geneva.

Further reading: Positive results for EPHJ – 19th edition of the Geneva exhibition scores “first victory”, WileyIndustryNews.com, 1 October 2021