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Watches & Wonders 2026: Behind the Scenes of an Extraordinary Technical Setup
Every year, Watches & Wonders transforms Geneva into a global hub for the watchmaking industry. But behind the display cases, demonstrations, and public experiences lies a significant amount of technical work, which begins several weeks before the event opens.
Since 2020, Skynight has been supporting the event in its new format. The 2026 edition marks a new milestone, with a project structured around three distinct phases: infrastructure, venue design, and event activation.
A growing presence that extends beyond the trade show
Watches & Wonders is no longer just a trade show. The event has gradually expanded to encompass the entire city, featuring pop-up experiences, evening events, and public venues.
This development completely changes the technical approach. It is no longer simply a matter of equipping a single enclosed space, but of deploying integrated systems across multiple environments: exhibition halls, brand booths, press rooms, as well as outdoor venues and private events.
The main challenge remains the same: ensuring a seamless, clear, and controlled experience, regardless of the context.
PHASE 1: Infrastructure, rigging, and general lighting
The first phase begins approximately 12 weeks before the show opens.
It involves setting up all the technical infrastructure that will support the entire event.
This includes rigging, wiring, and general lighting for aisles and walkways.
Key figures:
- More than 4.5 km of bridges installed
- Nearly 800 motors deployedfor suspended loads
General information:
- 500 × ELATION KL Fresnel 8FC
- 150 × ELATION KL Panel
- 500 × PROLIGHT Studio COB Plus
Lighting design:
- 2 × GrandMA3 Full
- 4 × GrandMA3 Light
- 2 × OnPC Rack Unit
- 3 × Wing XT
- 3 × Processing Unit M
- Luminex Networks for Distribution
This phase allows us to define the spatial layout, organize traffic flows, and prepare for all future installations, while ensuring a reliable and consistent technical foundation.
PHASE 2: Booth Design and Immersive Experiences
Once the infrastructure is in place, the focus shifts to designing the spaces.
The setup of the booths begins approximately 8 weeks before the opening.
Our goal is to help each brand create its own unique world through sound, light, and imagery.
Immersive sound system:
Nearly 100 Meyer Sound MM-4XP loudspeakers
Video devices:
- Nearly 100 screens (ranging from 12" to 98")
- 10 × EPSON EB-PQ2216B 4K projectors
- Approximately 300 m² of UNILUMIN UpadIV 2.6 XR LEDs
- Approximately50 square meters of ARTIXIUM Beryl 1.9 Indoor LEDs
Show lighting:
- 26 × iFORTE DRESS
- 40 × AYRTON Diablo S
- 16 × AYRTON Nando 502 Wash
- 20 × AYRTON Rivale Profile S
This phase brings spaces to life and enables the creation of immersive experiences tailored to each brand’s identity.
PHASE 3: Events, Brands, and City Activation
Watches & Wonders extends beyond the exhibition, with events organized by the brands and activities open to the public.
In this context, Skynight took action in two areas:
- private events for several watchmakers
- the launch of the Montreux Jazz Club in Geneva as part of the “In the City” program
Setting up the club required the complete transformation of a space into a concert venue.
Sound
Lounge:
- 12 × Meyer Sound MM-4XP
- 4 × Sub MM-10ACX
Room:
- 8 × Meyer Sound Ultra X20
- 3 × Sub 750 LFC
Scene:
- Yamaha DM7 Console + 2 × RIO 3224 D2
- 2 × GALAXY 816 processors
- 8 × Meyer Sound Ultra X40 (front)
- 6 × Sub 750 LFC (front)
- 6 × MM-4XP (front fill)
- 6 × MJF-208 returns
- 2 × Sub 750 LFC (drum fill)
- Complete microphone kit (for performers, DJs, and bands)
Video
- 4 × 75-inch Samsung screens
- Blackmagic ATEM Mini Pro Video Mixer
Lighting
- 1 × GrandMA3 Light console
- 8 × Astera QuikPunch
- 8 × Ayrton Diablo S
- 16 × Ayrton MagicDot SX
- 4 × Portman P1 Evo
- 120 vintage light bulbs (for ambient lighting)
- Sceptron Martin (lighting fixture)
- Dichroic light bars + Litepanels Gemini
- 32 × Astera PixelBrick
- 12 × Smartbat (patio)
Infrastructure
- Stage design
- Rigging
- Electrical Distribution
This phase demonstrates the ability to adapt complete systems to a variety of environments—with constraints that differ from those of the showroom—while maintaining the same high standards.
A comprehensive approach to event management
The benefit of a three-phase approach is simple: to maintain consistency from start to finish.
By managing the infrastructure, booth design, and city events, Skynight ensures technical consistency throughout the entire project.
This allows you to:
- better anticipation of constraints
- optimization of facilities
- consistency in the overall appearance
But above all, this prevents any disconnects between the different areas of the event.
Technology that enhances the experience
At an event of this scale, technology is everywhere. Yet it must never take center stage.
The goal is clear: to allow visitors to focus on the products, interactions, and experiences on offer.
This requires careful decisions, meticulous execution, and constant attention to detail.
When everything works properly, the technology becomes invisible. And that is exactly the goal.
Watches & Wonders 2026: A Seamlessly Executed Event
By being involved at every stage of the project, Skynight demonstrates its ability to manage complex events in a variety of settings.
From the initial setup to the events in the city, including the design of the booths, each phase contributes to a common goal: to provide a seamless, consistent, and well-organized experience.
Watches & Wonders 2026 is yet another example of this.
