Watches & Wonders

U-Boat with three new Darkmoon models




U-Boat anticipates the news scheduled for the Watches & Wonders fair in Geneva. The Italian company presents three new Darkmoon models, declined with a satin-finish steel case and black PVD treatment, in a reduced size of 40 mm and with new color variants. Furthermore, the Tuscan brand has prepared a 40mm version, but with a bronze-colored case with IP Bronze treatment. The Darkmoon watch series is characterized by the special oil bath in the case, which envelops the movement and creates a visual illusion effect of the absence of glass, as well as an amplified three-dimensional view thanks to the compensation bubble free to float on the dial.

metallo verniciato Darkmoon Bk Ip bronze: quadrante nero, sfere, indici e numeri trattati luminova beige
metallo verniciato Darkmoon Bk Ip bronze: quadrante nero, sfere, indici e numeri trattati luminova beige

The first model among the novelties is the 40mm version, in the two types of case, with red glass and black dial, which was initially presented in the 44mm size. This is flanked by two models with sunray dials characterized by nuances of green and coral red respectively, which from the center fade towards a solid black in contrast with spheres, numbers and indexes treated in beige luminava with black vulcanized rubber strap. Finally, still measuring 40 mm, the watch has a bronze-colored case and a full black dial, again with numbers, index and hands in contrasting beige color, also treated with luminova, and a dark brown calfskin strap with lasered and aged with traditional Tuscan tanning techniques.
Darkmoon 40 MM Red Glass SS
Darkmoon 40 MM Red Glass SS

Darkmoon Red SS: diametro 40 mm in acciaio AISI 316L, completamente riempita di uno speciale olio che mette in risalto il quadrante, creando l’illusione dell’assenza del vetro
Darkmoon Red SS: diametro 40 mm in acciaio AISI 316L, completamente riempita di uno speciale olio che mette in risalto il quadrante, creando l’illusione dell’assenza del vetro

Darkmoon 40 MM Green Pvd Soleil
Darkmoon 40 MM Green Pvd Soleil

La versione Bronze ha una cassa in acciaio AISI 316L. con trattamento IP Bronze, completamente riempita di uno speciale olio che mette in risalto il quadrante creando l’illusione dell’assenza del vetro e di una maggiore leggibilità. Bolla d'aria, a vista sul quadrante, per compensare le variazioni di temperatura
La versione Bronze ha una cassa in acciaio AISI 316L. con trattamento IP Bronze, completamente riempita di uno speciale olio che
mette in risalto il quadrante creando l’illusione dell’assenza del vetro e di una maggiore leggibilità.
Bolla d’aria, a vista sul quadrante, per compensare le variazioni di temperatura







The ex Baselworld (perhaps) returns in June




While Vicenzaoro has canceled the March date to postpone it to September, the ex Baselworld is aiming for June. But with many question marks. The MCH Group, the company that organizes the Basel event, which was canceled after the forfeit of the most important brands and cornered by the covid, are back on track and and now plan the heir of Baselworld for June. In reality, the event will no longer be called Baselworld, but HourUniverse, and hopes to attract at least the world of watchmaking that does not participate in Watches & Wonders (ex SIHH), a Geneva event dedicated to the top of the watch market and which was scheduled from 8 to 12 April, but which has in turn been canceled. HourUniverse was originally scheduled in Basel, alongside Watches & Wonders, but the persistence of the epidemic convinced the organizers of the former Baselworld to postpone the event.

La cupola aperta che sovrasta la piazza che unisce i padiglioni della Fiera di Basilea
La cupola aperta che sovrasta la piazza che unisce i padiglioni della Fiera di Basilea

At the moment the new date has not yet been determined, but the idea is to set the appointment for HourUniverse in mid-June, although it is not excluded that yet another postponement will occur. On the other hand, the Reed Jewelry Group has also decided to postpone the JCK Las Vegas. The last Baselworld took place in 2019, amidst abandonments and controversy after the farewell of Rolex, Tudor, Patek Philippe, Chanel and Chopard: the big names had announced the idea of ​​creating their own event, but no decision followed .
Ingresso a Baselworld 2019. Copyright: gioiellis.com
Ingresso a Baselworld 2019. Copyright: gioiellis.com

Baselworld. Copyright: gioiellis.com
Baselworld. Copyright: gioiellis.com

Baselworld, visitatore avvinghiato a due modelle
Baselworld, visitatore avvinghiato a due modelle







Farewell Baselworld also for Rolex, Chopard and …




It is the end of an era, that of Baselworld. What happened now, until three or four years ago seemed unthinkable. Perhaps the fair will attempt a relaunch, no one knows: but the great event dedicated to watches and jewels will certainly not be the same if it ever lives on.

Il cielo dal piazza che collega i padiglioni di Baselworld
Il cielo dal piazza che collega i padiglioni di Baselworld

The largest companies, capable of attracting visitors and buyers from all over the world, namely Rolex, Patek Philippe, Chanel, Chopard and Tudor, have announced their farewell to Baselworld. Alternatively, companies will offer a new watch trade show, but at the Palaexpo in Geneva. It will be held from April 2021, together with the Fondation de la Haute Horlogerie, which organizes the Watches & Wonders (ex Sihh) salon. This year the two events, Baselworld and Watches & Wonders, have been suspended due to the coronavirus.

Baselworld 2019. Copyright: gioiellis.com
Baselworld 2019. Copyright: gioiellis.com

We have been present at Baselworld since 1939. However, despite our great attachment to this event, given its evolution and the recent decisions made by the Mch group we decided to withdraw and, following the discussions started by Rolex, it seemed natural to us to create a new event with partners who shared our vision and our continuous and unshakable support for Swiss watchmaking.
Jean-Frédéric Dufour, CEO of Rolex and board member of Tudor

Baselworld. Copyright: gioiellis.com
Baselworld. Copyright: gioiellis.com

Days ago, was born a dispute arose about the costs incurred from the companies: Baselworld, in fact, proposed to use 85% of the advance payment by exhibitors for the subsequent fair, set at the end of January 2021, while 15% was calulated to cover the costs incurred by Mch, the company that manages the Basel fair. A proposal that raised companies and led to the strong decision to abandon Baselworld to their fate.
Business a Baselworld. Copyright: gioiellis.com
Business a Baselworld. Copyright: gioiellis.com

“The goal is to offer partner brands the best possible professional platform, with a shared vision that allows them to face future challenges in the watchmaking world. The event will also give crucial importance to the sector’s expertise and innovations, both in Switzerland and internationally “, is written in the press release of the transfugee companies.

Today Patek Philippe is no longer in line with Baselworld’s vision: there have been too many discussions and unresolved problems that have undermined our trust. We must meet the legitimate needs of our dealers, customers and the press around the world. These must be able to discover new models from Swiss watchmakers every year, at once, in one place and in the most professional way possible. This is why, following an in-depth comparison with Rolex and in agreement with other participating brands, we decided to create, all together, a unique event in Geneva, representative of our know-how.
Thierry Stern, president of Patek Philippe

Mch Group, for its part, expressed “great surprise and deep regret”. But the damage is been done.

Interno di Baselworld. Copyright: gioiellis.com
Interno di Baselworld. Copyright: gioiellis.com

Padiglione 1 di Baselworld. Copyright: gioiellis.com
Padiglione 1 di Baselworld. Copyright: gioiellis.com