Golden curtain on Baselworld

How did Baselworld go? The fair has closed and the organizers, as expected, are celebrating. And it shows the numbers: 150,000 participants from five continents, including representatives of exhibiting companies, buyers, journalists. In total, eight days of peace, love (perhaps) and luxury. But it will be up to the approximately 1,500 exhibitors from 40 different nations to say whether they have concluded business. “We are extremely satisfied with this year’s Baselworld. The exhibitors achieved excellent sales and spoke positively about the media impact, which has aroused interest in the Baselworld 2014 event. Baselworld is and remains the unmissable watch and jewelry show,” said Jacques J. Duchêne, president of the Exhibitors’ Committee. Other comments also seem to be marked by optimism: “Memorable! For Bulgari, it was an exceptional Baselworld, which will be remembered for many years to come”, says Jean-Christophe Babin, CEO of Bulgari. According to the manager of the LVMH group, “Baselworld is that precise moment that determines the future. In the space of just one week, we reveal our new products to commercial partners and the press from all over the world; probably one of the most intimate exercises of a brand, creation. In return, we capture the emotions that our creations evoke”.

In general, watch manufacturers seem satisfied, representing 70% of Baselworld’s business. But it also seems to have gone well for the jewelry industry. According to Pasquale Bruni, founder of the maison that bears his name, “during the show we recorded decidedly positive traffic. The American and Arab markets in particular are showing strong growth and are very important for us”. “Baselworld is the most important show of the year for us. We felt an exceptional energy and the vision we have for the future is very positive”, added Eugenia Bruni, daughter of the founder and designer of the group. Walter Häusermann, CEO of Furrer Jacot, also commented positively, according to whom Baselworld 2014 was “positive and able to maintain the high levels of 2013”. And the business? “The backdrop was ideal for acquiring new customers and presenting the expansion of our range to existing customers”.