Experiencing Craftsmanship Live: Outstanding Artisanal Excellence at INHORGENTA 2026

From 20 to 23 February 2026, what lies at the very heart of the industry becomes tangible: skill, precision and passion. Whether at exhibitor booths, on carefully curated special areas, in hands-on workshops or through in-depth exchanges with specialist schools and manufactures—craftsmanship is not only presented, but actively lived.

“Craftsmanship is the heart of our industry—and far more than a passing trend. INHORGENTA 2026 demonstrates how relevant, contemporary and inspiring craftsmanship is today: as the foundation of education, as an expression of excellence in manufacturing and as a decisive success factor in the market. Our ambition is to make craftsmanship visible, to share knowledge and to connect people,” says Stefanie Mändlein, Exhibition Director of INHORGENTA.

MasterCrafts Live: European Mastery at the Workbench

With MasterCrafts Live in Hall B2.213, INHORGENTA presents a curated special area dedicated to international master craftsmanship. Renowned master artisans, educators and manufacturing specialists from various countries demonstrate engraving, stone-setting and goldsmithing techniques live at the workbench, alongside modern manufacturing processes using high-quality tools. Visitors can look forward to meeting the following international master craftsmen:

• Pablo Cimadevilla is an internationally renowned goldsmith and artisan who combines classical goldsmithing techniques with a clear, contemporary aesthetic.
• Andrew Ashcroft is among Europe’s leading hand engravers. His work is characterised by exceptional precision, refined line work and nature-inspired surface structures.
• Nadja Kienast represents outstanding expertise in stone setting. In addition to her artisanal practice, she is actively involved in prototype development and vocational training.
• Aleksey Saburov is an internationally recognised stone setter and jewellery artist, combining utmost precision with innovative setting techniques that redefine the boundaries of traditional stone setting.
• Francisco Le Marchant presents modern manufacturing craftsmanship using technically demanding precious metals, bridging traditional methods with contemporary production processes.

Craftsmanship Area: Artisanal Excellence in Focus

The guiding theme of INHORGENTA 2026 is also showcased with particular intensity in the Craftsmanship Area. Located in Hall B2.446, selected artisans and manufactures demonstrate their techniques live at the workbench—ranging from engraving and goldsmithing to traditional and contemporary production methods. Three exemplary insights include:

• Pauly Carvings demonstrates the traditional handcrafting of chain elements—from drawing the wire to the final connection, entirely handmade.
• Inês Barbosa provides insights into fine filigree work, revealing how delicate metal structures are created through intricate manual processes.
• Materia Prima combines classical goldsmithing with porcelain, illustrating how material innovation and manual craftsmanship interact.

Live Demonstrations at Exhibitor Booths: Craftsmanship on the Show Floor

• Craftsmanship can also be experienced directly at the booths of numerous exhibitors. From stone setting, chain making and ring production to movement assembly and high-tech applications such as 3D printing as a complement to manual work—visitors can follow production processes live and engage directly with the makers. Four selected examples include:
• Tutima Glashütte demonstrates the assembly and fine finishing of mechanical movements live, offering insights into traditional Glashütte watchmaking. (Hall A1)
• Niessing presents the “Live Installation of Golden Tools,” making visible the interaction between tools, materials and manual craftsmanship. (Hall B1)
• Glendo invites visitors to daily live workshops at the GRS Tools stand, featuring stone-setting and engraving sessions led by internationally renowned craftsmen and leading jewellery schools. (Hall C2)
• Lampert Werktechnik demonstrates contactless micro TIG welding live, enabling precise, clean joints without discoloration or material damage. Visitors experience how even the most delicate jewellery work can be achieved with micrometre-level precision. (Hall C2)

Learning and Passing on Craftsmanship: Education and Emerging Talent

Training future generations is also an integral part of the craftsmanship focus at INHORGENTA 2026. Various educational institutions and initiatives will be represented:

• The Watchmaking Mobile Unit of the Central Association for Watches, Jewellery and Time Measurement Technology presents the fundamentals of watchmaking in an accessible and hands-on format. (Hall C2)
• The Watchmaking Schools Campus in Hall B2, jointly organised by the watchmaking schools of Furtwangen and Hamburg as well as the Goldsmithing and Watchmaking School of Pforzheim, provides insights into training paths, curricula and artisanal techniques—from movement assembly to fine finishing.

Watchmaking Workshops in the FHH Cultural Space: Hands-on Watchmaking

The craftsmanship offering is further complemented by watchmaking workshops in the FHH Cultural Space in Hall A1. In guided sessions, visitors experience fundamental watchmaking processes—from disassembling to reassembling a movement. The workshops convey a deeper understanding of mechanics, precision and artisanal workflows, making fine watchmaking accessible even to non-specialists.

The complete Craftsmanship programme—including all special areas, workshops and live demonstrations—is accessible free of charge to visitors. Further details and a comprehensive overview are available in the Craftsmanship Guide, which will be provided on site and published online shortly.