The trends that will shape tomorrow’s Fine Watches are played out at the SIHH, a gathering of sixteen of the most prestigious names in Haute Horlogerie. A.Lange & Söhne, Alfred Dunhill, Audemars Piguet, Baume & Mercier, Cartier, Girard-Perregaux, IWC, Jaeger-LeCoultre, JeanRichard, Montblanc, Officine Panerai, Parmigiani Fleurier, Piaget, Roger Dubuis, Vacheron Constantin and Van Cleef & Arpels will present their latest creations at the heart of a "city" worthy of their reputation.

The "Cité de la Haute Horlogerie" will again take over Hall 6 of Palexpo, adjacent to Geneva Airport, where the participating brands will benefit from the best conditions in which to present their products throughout the 24,000 square metres of exhibition space. A major international event on the watch landscape, the 17^th SIHH will welcome close to 13,000 visitors in an exclusive and dedicated setting.

In recognition of Haute Horlogerie’s cultural dimension, the SIHH hosts its 13^th exhibition, entitled "Fine Watches, a Homage to Women." All the pieces shown have been chosen from the contemporary collections of the exhibiting brands. Interspersed with iconic portraits of women by renowned photographers from the Magnum Agency, they sensitively portray the intimate relationship between women and watches. The exhibition, which is illustrated by a complimentary bilingual catalogue, reinstates the feminine watch to its rightful and honorary place, and recognises women’s influence in shaping the history of watchmaking.

The Fondation de la Haute Horlogerie, which organises the SIHH, is a private foundation whose essential and primary purpose is to promote and develop the heritage and values of technical and precious Haute Horlogerie throughout the world, through its creations, innovations and expertise. Each year the SIHH, through the Foundation’s "Events" wing, bears witness to this vocation.

Women have always exercised a discreet yet decisive influence on the watch’s evolution. As the years have become centuries, timidly but undeniably women have shaped the watch’s destiny, just as they have left their mark on changing fashions and, more widely, society.

The first watches were confined to an essentially ornamental role, symbolising the fortune and standing of those who wore them. In the eighteenth century, the watch’s practical function rose to the fore with the significantly greater precision made possible by mechanical feats. Women have embraced innovations and complications whose intricacy they appreciate at its true value.

The nineteenth century saw the advent of the bracelet-watch. History proves beyond all doubt that the wristwatch was created for women, before being adopted by men. Granted, these bracelet-watches were still conceived as jewellery-inspired accessories, their timekeeping function relegated to second place; they nonetheless sparked a revolution in the art of wearing a watch. The twentieth century paved the way for women’s liberation and with it an explosion of creativity in fashion and the arts. The wristwatch was now ubiquitous. Caught up in this creative euphoria, and with the benefit of innovations, it offered women a seemingly infinite variety of styles and functions.

Women’s watches today are as multiple, as elusive as those who wear them. Mechanical or quartz, with precious stones, simple or with complications, masculine even, they mirror the manifold facets and eclectic tastes of a woman who, as fits the occasion, will choose a classic, sports or extravagant watch. This multiplicity is captured in the 55 contemporary watches staged by Dominique Fléchon and chosen from the collections of the brands exhibiting at the SIHH.

Three atmospheres, enriched with portraits of women by renowned photographers from the Magnum Agency, are the setting for a sociological journey through the female soul. In three acts - Liberty, Harmony, Seduction - and three spaces, these watches for the twenty-first century offer a glimpse of a woman’s nature, an expression of her innermost thoughts, a mirror of her temperament.

A complimentary catalogue in French and English, devised by Franco Cologni, Dominique Fléchon and Suzanne Tise-Isoré, will be given to the exhibition’s visitors and at the Press Club.

From April 16^th to 21^st 2007, Geneva will welcome the SIHH, the Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie (International Salon of Master Watchmaking), the most prestigious master watch-making trade shows of all, now in its 17^th year.

A private and professional salon, strictly reserved for accredited guests, the SIHH has once again chosen the Palexpo site, just a stone’s throw away from Geneva airport, for the week. Sixteen of the greatest houses in the luxury industry will present the finest of their very latest creations to the press, retailers and international agents.

In your name, we have the immense privilege of being one of the SIHH’s guests and can unveil for you all the latest creations presented during the days and weeks to come. Don’t miss the votes for your favourite new creations!