Inhorgenta’s exhibition director buoyant ahead of 2026 show

The landscape for European watch trade shows is a fairly minimalist one. 

The only traditional watch exhibition of any significant scale outside of Watches & Wonders is Germany’s Inhorgenta, which will be hosting its 52nd edition on February 20–23 in Munich.

Watch Insider caught up with the show’s exhibition director, Stefanie Mändlein, to find out what it takes to keep producing the goods, year after year.

Watch Insider: Inhorgenta has been going for over 50 years and has grown unrecognisably from those early editions. What are your visitor numbers like nowadays?

Stefanie Mändlein: In 2025 we welcomed 1,334 brands from 38 countries and around 25,300 trade visitors from 97 countries. For 2026, our focus is quality growth with broader international reach and highly qualified buyers. The atmosphere on site is optimistic and business-driven, which is exactly what exhibitors and retailers expect from Inhorgenta.

WI: How do you see the retail landscape looking like in Germany now? Presumably your fortunes are tied to the health of the wider German economy to some extent?

SM: Retail feels more selective and better prepared. Buyers want to know how pieces are made, which materials are used and where they come from, then decide efficiently. We design the fair around that need with clear segmentation and strong content, so one trip to Munich covers what they need and still leaves time for meetings and orders. The jeweler and goldsmith segment is central, and you feel that on the floor.

WI: Do you have a direct role in the process of how visitors place orders with exhibitors? If so, has this process evolved in recent years, as not all retailers buy stock in bulk up front like they used to?

SM: Orders are concluded between brands and retailers. We do not sit in the middle. Our role is to make the right meetings happen quickly and with context. A visit maps the entire value chain and the professional organization keeps paths short, so buyers have maximum time for client meetings and decisions. Many retailers combine on-site selection with phased purchasing across the season. We support this with thoughtful floor planning, a clear hall logic and program elements that help buyers make confident decisions.

WI: How has the FHH (Fondation de la Haute Horlogerie) partnership materially changed Inhorgenta?

SM: Inhorgenta has always had a strong watch focus. As of this year we are an official partner of the FHH. The collaboration turns watchmaking into a cultural and educational experience where technique, heritage and contemporary practice are explained and felt. Launched in 2025, it now enters its second year with an expanded Cultural Space, exhibitions, talks and hands-on courses. Partner brands Piaget, Bovet and Oris anchor the space with brand-led insights.

WI: Do you see Hall A1 naturally moving up the luxury ladder in the coming years? Your show presumably reflects the state of the wider industry, and it feels like high-end luxury has been the strongest segment for many years now.

SM: Hall A1 shows the breadth of the market from independents and family manufactures to established names. With over 130 exhibitors it offers one of the most diverse watch portfolios in Europe. The premium dynamic is strong, yet the hall remains easy to read. Thoughtful floor planning and clear sightlines help buyers compare offers quickly and place orders with confidence.

You will meet brands such as Maurice Lacroix, MeisterSinger, Tutima Glashütte, Eberhard & Co., Junghans and Mühle Glashütte, along with groups like Citizen Watch, Casio Europe and Festina, and returns like Fossil. As the industry moves, A1 will reflect that progress – with clear ordering paths and strong brand visibility.

WI: You added new watch categories to your Awards this year, as Watch Insider reported on. What was the thinking behind this?

SM: The Inhorgenta Award, now in its ninth edition, celebrates excellence and craftsmanship across the industry. The watch market has diversified, and the Inhorgenta Award should mirror that reality. We now honor Mechanical Watch of the Year, recognize Watch Design of the Year (Quartz & Electronic), and introduce ‘Luxury Watch of the Year | Public Choice’ in collaboration with [German business magazine] WirtschaftsWoche. This widens visibility for the full spectrum of watchmaking and gives retailers and media a clearer reading of the field. It also gives the watch segment at Inhorgenta more room to shine while inviting the public to engage with exceptional pieces.