GENEVA – The watchmaking industry finds itself in a paradoxical position. Rarely has it been more visible, rife with history and players of all sizes ready to flex their design or innovation muscles as the 2026 edition of Watches and Wonders opened on April 14. Yet in the plush avenues of the fair, watchmaking executives were cautious, keenly aware gleaming prospects could fast turn brittle against a backdrop of renewed geopolitical flashpoints, macroeconomic uncertainties — and a consumer base far more informed and demanding than ever. Still, the industry looked forward and upward in this annual rendezvous that reiterated its global reach. The 65 exhibiting brands, which included industry heavyweights Rolex, Patek Philippe and now Audemars Piguet, hailed from Switzerland as well as France, Germany, the U.K. and even China. The roster could still “grow a bit, but not too much,” for Matthieu Humair, chief executive officer of the Watches and Wonders Foundation that organizes the event.…