2025 edition
Time Stands Still in the Principality: The Success of the First Monte-Carlo Watch Convention
If there is a place in the world capable of perfectly blending timeless elegance with unbridled luxury, that place is the Principality of Monaco. However, in mid-April 2025, it wasn’t just the roar of engines or the glamour of Grand Prix racing that set the pace of Monegasque life: the attention of collectors and enthusiasts was entirely captured by the hands of time.
On April 11 and 12, 2025, the inaugural edition of the Monte-Carlo Watch Convention made its absolute debut. A baptism that confirmed that the world of high-end timepieces has found its ideal home in Monaco
A Dream Setting and Perfect Timing
The event, born from the intuition and initiative of a group of young Italian entrepreneurs active in the industry, chose the luxurious halls of the Hotel Le Méridien Beach Plaza (located at 22 Avenue Princesse Grace) as its headquarters.
The beachfront location offered a unique atmosphere, suspended between the elegance of the French Riviera and the exclusivity of the pieces on display. The choice of dates was by no means accidental.
The convention took place over the weekend preceding Easter, coinciding perfectly with the famous tennis tournament. This synergy brought an international audience to the Principality, amplifying the charm of a week already packed with excitement and lifestyle events.
A Bridge Between Collectors and the General Public
The true strength of the Monte-Carlo Watch Convention lay in its formula. It was not a closed-door fair restricted to industry insiders, but an event open to the public with completely free admission.
The corridors of Le Méridien saw an incredible parade of high-end vintage and modern watches from Europe’s most prominent dealers.
For major collectors, it was the ideal opportunity to track down and purchase rare and unique pieces; for newcomers and the curious, it was a golden chance to step into this fascinating micro-world, talking directly with experts without any barriers.
Culture and Market: The Presence of Major Auction Houses
The participation of prominent institutions added further depth to the event. Standing out among them was the famous Parisian auction house Artcurial.
In addition to anchoring the event with its own exhibition space, the Head of Artcurial’s Watch Department held an exclusive lecture on the future outlook of the market. This moment of deep macroeconomic interest provided investors and enthusiasts with a compass to navigate future trends, models to bet on, and the overall health of global collecting.
A Look Into the Future
The two-day event followed a tight yet enjoyable schedule. The curtain rose on Friday, April 11 at 10:00 AM, culminating between 6:00 PM and 7:00 PM with a packed opening cocktail party—an inaugural toast that brought networking and relaxation together, just steps from the beach. On Saturday, April 12, the exhibition continued until closing time at 6:00 PM, recording a continuous influx of visitors.
The public success and the commercial transactions recorded status amply rewarded the hard work of the organizing team. The excellent feedback from this “edition zero” effectively confirmed what was already an ambitious plan: the organizers have indeed announced their intention to transform the Monte-Carlo Watch Convention into an annual appointment.
Exhibitors 2025
