INHORGENTA Munich 2026

With a clear focus on content and growing international appeal, INHORGENTA 2026 has further consolidated its position as Europe’s leading trade fair for jewelry, watches, and gemstones.

From February 20 to 23, Munich once again became the central meeting place for manufacturers, brands, wholesalers, designers, jewelers, and industry decision-makers.

Around 900 exhibitors with 1,200 brands from 35 countries presented their collections and innovations. More than 25,000 trade visitors from 94 countries underscored the increasing global relevance of the trade fair. Particularly noteworthy: the growth in international visitors clearly offset the slight decline in domestic visitors and strengthened INHORGENTA’s position as a European business platform with international reach.

Craftsmanship as a guiding principle

For the first time, the trade fair had an overarching theme: craftsmanship. INHORGENTA thus sent a clear signal about the craftsmanship that underpins the industry—and about transparency along the value chain.

At more than 30 live stations, trade visitors were able to experience processes such as gemstone setting, engraving techniques, and movement assembly up close. The concept went beyond mere demonstration: it highlighted manufacturing expertise, time expenditure, and technical precision—factors that contribute significantly to the price and margin structure in the premium and high-end segments.

Formats such as “MasterCraft Live,” the “Craftsmanship Area,” “THE ATELIER,” the new “Precious Metals Forum,” and the expanded “FHH Cultural Space” offered in-depth insights into materials science, design processes, and technical innovations. Modern technologies such as 3D design, laser processing, and CNC milling were positioned not as opposites, but as integral components of contemporary manufacturing.

For specialist retailers, this visibility is a decisive factor: consumers are increasingly demanding traceable origins, authenticity, and craftsmanship—aspects that strengthen sales arguments and customer loyalty.

“For us, INHORGENTA is much more than just a trade fair—it’s the pulse of the market. Here, we experience the entire breadth and depth of the market, make valuable contacts, sense trends in real time, and discover innovations that drive our business forward,” says Olrik Laufer, Managing Director of Juwelier Laufer.

Focus on Europe – Gateway to affluent markets

INHORGENTA remains strategically focused on the European market, which is characterized by high purchasing power and stable demand in the premium segment.

While the number of German visitors declined slightly, international participation grew significantly. The largest groups of visitors came from Austria, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Italy, Great Britain, Czechia, and Belgium. The trade fair recorded dynamic growth from Sri Lanka, Sweden, Ukraine, and the USA.

This clearly positions INHORGENTA as the central European ordering and networking platform—with increasing importance for international brands seeking targeted access to the European specialist retail market.

“INHORGENTA was a huge success for us. We had visitors from all over the world at our booth. This is a strong signal of the international appeal of the trade fair,” says Doris Mancari, Managing Director Europe at Maurice Lacroix.

Positive market development strengthens trade fair environment

Industry figures confirm the stable development in the high-end segment:

• +2.1% Specialist retail sales (2025)
• +5.9% Watch exports
• +13.3% Jewelry exports

This is the fourth consecutive year of growth. Gold jewelry, custom-made items, and established watch brands in the premium and luxury segments remain particularly popular. Brick-and-mortar retailers maintain an exceptionally strong position with a 73 percent market share—a unique selling point compared to other consumer goods industries.

For exhibitors and buyers, this means stable demand, solid margin potential, and continued strong brick-and-mortar sales.

“In a few days, we will meet most of our international partners from the USA, India, and of course Europe at INHORGENTA. This efficiency makes the trade fair the perfect platform for us,” says Tanja Brassler, Managing Director of the German watch manufacturer MeisterSinger.

Record participation in the INHORGENTA AWARD

The INHORGENTA AWARD ceremony at Bavaria Film Studios remained a key industry gathering in 2026. With 148 entries from 19 countries, the award reached a new record high.

The introduction of additional categories such as “Mechanical Watch of the Year,” “Goldsmith of the Year,” “Jeweler of the Year,” and “Luxury Watch of the Year | Public Choice” broadens the perspective of the award to encompass the entire value chain – from manufacturing expertise to retail performance.

The award is thus increasingly serving as an industry barometer, highlighting design trends, technical developments, and strategic positioning.

Impulses from Munich

INHORGENTA 2026 didn’t just reflect market trends—it defined them.

With craftsmanship as its main theme, the trade fair sent a clear message: craftsmanship is not a nostalgic narrative, but rather a key economic and strategic success factor for the industry. The visibility of manufacturing processes, material knowledge, and technical precision was not a decorative element, but rather a deliberate focus—and thus an impulse that will spread from Munich to the market.

The strong international participation, growing media coverage, and record numbers for the INHORGENTA AWARD underscore INHORGENTA’s role as a platform where relevance is created. It’s not just a place to showcase products—it’s also a place to set standards, discuss quality benchmarks, and highlight strategic directions.

The economic data—stable sales in specialist retail, growth in watch and jewelry exports, robust demand for premium products—was also evident in Munich. The trade fair thus serves as a hub for the industry: it brings together developments, makes dynamics transparent, and provides orientation.

The findings are clear:
transparency in value creation, craftsmanship excellence, and a clearly positioned specialist trade are the cornerstones of the market.

Voices from the INHORGENTA community:

“This year, for the first time, we also had our international sales team on site for two days. The response was overwhelmingly positive: our team for Europe and the Middle East was fully booked for a day and a half. This is a clear sign of how international INHORGENTA has become,” says Amelie Hennig, Head of Marketing at Movado Group Germany, which was represented by brands such as Ebel, HUGO BOSS, Coach, and Tommy Hilfiger.

“INHORGENTA was a very successful trade fair for us. We met around 90 percent of our customers from Germany, Austria, and Switzerland here—that’s an excellent rate. We also welcomed contacts from countries such as Romania, Belgium, and Denmark and held promising discussions with new prospective customers,” concluded Cristiano Benvenuity, Sales Director EMEA for Italian jewelry brand Marco Bicego.

“My visit to INHORGENTA this year was thoroughly positive. I’m returning to Berlin with fresh ideas, new contacts, and great motivation for upcoming projects,” says Lutz Reuer from Juwelier Reuer.

“We come to INHORGENTA every year from the US to experience the curated selection of international designers and to further deepen our long-term partnerships in modern design. The great friendliness and hospitality of the exhibitors and the trade fair team, as well as the special atmosphere in Munich, make the trade fair a special experience for us every time,” says Sarah Hill, owner of Hamilton Hill Jewelry.