Baselworld is back: six days of jewelry, watches and a bit of suspense ♦ ︎
The hour of truth is started for Baselworld 2019 (March 21-26). It is considered a step in the transition that will bring the largest ex jewelery and watch fair to align with the former rival Suite de la Haute Horlogerie (Sihh) held in Geneva. The two events, in fact, in 2020 will be held almost simultaneously: the Sihh from April 26th to April 29th and Baselworld from April 30th to May 5th.
Meanwhile, however, Baselworld has to deal with the downsizing that has been going on for some years now. In 2014 the brands present in Basel were 1500. In 2019 they stop at an altitude of 468, less than the 650 of last year. From de Grisogono to the Swatch group: there are many prestigious names that have decided not to return to Baselworld even though, of course, there are other great value Maison.
The general manager Michel Loris-Melikoff, who inaugurated the new edition on the evening of Wednesday, admitted that the number of exhibitors present is lower than expected: “We have hit the bottom,” he said. But he also said he was optimistic that the new reorganization of the spaces and a greater visibility to the present brands are the keys to the rebirth: “What is important is that those who are present have the opportunity to do business. We address the entire jewelery and watchmaking community: customers, collectors, retailers. Our goal is to involve everyone “.
The new life that provides two days less than the fair, compared to a time, the ticket dropped from 60 to 45 Swiss francs, agreements with hotels and restaurants to control prices and, of course, a different distribution of space.
For the first time the jewelery will move to the main hall, the 1st, but on the second floor, where the Show Plaza, an area that will host presentations of the brands, has been placed, near the Les Ateliers area, reserved for independent manufacturers. In short, many aspects to check. And it will be one of the tasks of Bernd Stadlwieser, who after 20 years of experience in the watch, jewelery and art sector will take over the interim CEO Hans-Kristian Hoejsgaard. Monica Battistoni
