INHORGENTA Munich 2026 Draws 900 Exhibitors and 25,000 Trade Visitors Worldwide

INHORGENTA Munich 2026 reaffirmed its role as Europe's leading trade fair for the jewelry, watch and gemstone industry. From February 20 to 23, Munich became the vibrant center for decision-makers, buyers, brands and manufacturers from around the world, with around 900 exhibitors representing 1,200 brands from 35 countries — 55 percent of them international — and more than 25,000 trade visitors from 94 countries filling the exhibition halls.

For the first time, INHORGENTA 2026 placed artisanal skill at the center of the entire fair under the guiding theme of "Craftsmanship." More than 30 live demonstrations, both at exhibitor stands and in curated special areas, transformed the fair into a vibrant workshop, where watchmakers, goldsmiths, engravers and gemstone setters showcased their expertise in direct exchange with a professional audience. Special areas including MasterCraft Live, THE ATELIER, the Silbertriennale International and the new Precious Metals Forum placed artisanal mastery center stage, with modern technologies such as 3D design, laser applications and CNC milling demonstrating their role as creative partners of craftsmanship rather than replacements for it.

"With its focus on Craftsmanship, INHORGENTA is opening a new path — one of recognition and appreciation for artisanal work," said Stefanie Mändlein, Exhibition Director of INHORGENTA. Nina Friesleben, Head Designer at Niessing, offered a practitioner's perspective: "Technologies such as 3D design, laser technology and CNC milling are now an integral part — even for smaller ateliers. They enable more precise and sustainable production and raise quality to a new level. At the same time, traditional techniques such as lapidary work or engine-turning are experiencing a comeback. Technology does not replace craftsmanship — it enhances and refines it," she added.

The international business signals from exhibitors were notably concrete. Dr. Guido Grohmann, Managing Director of the German Association of the Jewellery and Watches Industry, spoke of "strong figures in a demanding operational environment," with watch exports up 5.9 percent. At the booth level, results were equally direct. Amelie Hennig, Head of Marketing at Movado Group Germany, which brought its brands Ebel, HUGO BOSS, Coach and Tommy Hilfiger to Munich, described a first-of-its-kind deployment: "This year, we brought our international sales team for two days for the first time. The response was consistently positive: our Europe and Middle East team was fully booked for one and a half days. This clearly shows how international INHORGENTA has become."

Doris Mancari, Managing Director Europe of Maurice Lacroix, drew the same conclusion from traffic at her booth: "INHORGENTA was a huge success for us. We welcomed visitors from all over the world to our booth. That is a strong signal of the show's international appeal."

Among the newcomers, the French haute joaillerie house Akillis made its debut alongside a wave of fresh international exhibitors. Cédric Carapyen, Sales Development Director MEA, APAC & Americas at Akillis, called the experience both surprising and strategic: "Our debut at INHORGENTA in Munich was exciting and a successful start. We aim to expand specifically into the German market and were delighted to see many visitors discover our collection and show great interest in the brand. A pleasant surprise was the visit of international customers, including from the U.S. and Canada."

Italian jewelry brand Marco Bicego used the four days to consolidate its core market while opening new doors. "INHORGENTA was a very successful show for us," said Cristiano Benvenuity, Sales Director EMEA. "We met around 90 percent of our customers from Germany and Austria here — an excellent rate. In addition, we welcomed contacts from countries such as Romania, Belgium and Denmark and held promising discussions with new prospects."

Away from the booths, the INHORGENTA AWARD ceremony took place on February 21, 2026, at the Bavaria Filmstudios. With 148 submissions, the award set a new record, underlining its growing international significance. New categories included "Goldsmith of the Year," "Jeweller of the Year," and the Public Choice award "Luxury Watch of the Year."

The breadth of participation underlines the show's growing importance in the global market environment, and INHORGENTA continues to expand its reach and relevance. The next edition is scheduled for February 19 to 22, 2027, in Munich.