Events & AwardsJun 12, 2026
CBG Announces Plans for Phoenix ShowEvents & AwardsJun 22, 2026
Plans Announced for New Trade Show in Basel
Scheduled for April 2027, Basilia will be the first watch and jewelry trade show held in Basel since the collapse of Baselworld in 2020.
Plans for a new trade show in Basel, called Basilia, were announced Thursday at a press conference held in the Swiss city. MCH Group’s Roman Imgrüth and Artur Faria (both pictured at left) were there in person while Margaret Ma Connolly, Dan Ye, and Celine Lau of Informa Markets in Asia appeared virtually.
Basel, Switzerland—Seven years after Baselworld came to an unceremonious end during the pandemic, the Swiss city of Basel is poised to be back on the industry’s map.
At a press conference held last week, MCH Group, the organization behind Baselworld and Art Basel, and Informa Markets, organizer of Jewellery & Gem World Hong Kong, announced plans for a new four-day show in Basel called Basilia.
It is set to take place in April 2027—exact dates have not yet been determined— in Hall 2 of Messe Basel, the hall that housed independent watchmakers and jewelry brands during Baselworld.
MCH Group and Informa Markets describe Basilia as “a new international stage where Asia, Europe, and the wider global industry come together.”
When asked who the target market is for Basilia attendees, a show spokesperson said: “Europe has had no dedicated platform for the mid- to upper segment of the watch and jewelry industry.
“At the same time, Asian jewelry manufacturers are structurally underrepresented on European trade fair floors … Basilia closes both gaps by creating a European B2B platform that brings Asian supply and European demand together at scale for the first time.”
MCH Group and Informa Markets said they expect to have more than 400 exhibitors at the inaugural Basilia show and have begun the process of initiating “key contacts,” who have responded positively to the idea of a show returning to Basel.
Exact dates will be announced when Watches & Wonders Geneva announces its 2027 schedule.
Half of the exhibitors at the first edition of Basilia will be jewelry brands, while the other half will be divided between watch brands (25 percent) and gem dealers (25 percent).
Organizers said the show will be organized like a city, with distinct “districts,” including Diamond & Gem Districts and a Swiss District, “neighborhoods,” like the Jewellery Neighbourhoods, as well as a tech hub and “dedicated spaces” inspired by cities key to the gem and jewelry trade, like Bangkok, Jaipur, Antwerp, and Milan.
Related stories will be right here …
At a press conference held last week, MCH Group, the organization behind Baselworld and Art Basel, and Informa Markets, organizer of Jewellery & Gem World Hong Kong, announced plans for a new four-day show in Basel called Basilia.
It is set to take place in April 2027—exact dates have not yet been determined— in Hall 2 of Messe Basel, the hall that housed independent watchmakers and jewelry brands during Baselworld.
MCH Group and Informa Markets describe Basilia as “a new international stage where Asia, Europe, and the wider global industry come together.”
When asked who the target market is for Basilia attendees, a show spokesperson said: “Europe has had no dedicated platform for the mid- to upper segment of the watch and jewelry industry.
“At the same time, Asian jewelry manufacturers are structurally underrepresented on European trade fair floors … Basilia closes both gaps by creating a European B2B platform that brings Asian supply and European demand together at scale for the first time.”
MCH Group and Informa Markets said they expect to have more than 400 exhibitors at the inaugural Basilia show and have begun the process of initiating “key contacts,” who have responded positively to the idea of a show returning to Basel.
Exact dates will be announced when Watches & Wonders Geneva announces its 2027 schedule.
Half of the exhibitors at the first edition of Basilia will be jewelry brands, while the other half will be divided between watch brands (25 percent) and gem dealers (25 percent).
Organizers said the show will be organized like a city, with distinct “districts,” including Diamond & Gem Districts and a Swiss District, “neighborhoods,” like the Jewellery Neighbourhoods, as well as a tech hub and “dedicated spaces” inspired by cities key to the gem and jewelry trade, like Bangkok, Jaipur, Antwerp, and Milan.
The last watch and jewelry show held in Basel was Baselworld 2019.
Already grappling with dwindling attendance and disgruntled exhibitors, MCH Group entered 2020 with a turnaround plan for the show.
Then the pandemic hit and Baselworld 2020, like every trade show that year, was canceled.
Show organizers’ controversial refund policy fueled anger among exhibitors already upset with price increases and MCH Group’s disregard for their feedback.
Shortly after the refund policy was announced, five keystone watch and jewelry brands—Rolex, Tudor, Patek Philippe, Chopard, and Chanel—announced they were pulling out of Baselworld to start their own show.
Though MCH Group attempted a 2022 comeback for Baselworld, the show never recovered from the loss of key exhibitors and organizers’ missteps.
The last edition of Baselworld took place in March 2019.
More on Events & Awards
The Latest
MajorsSep 10, 2026
Lagos Founder Steven Lagos Steps Down as CEO Keith Rolfe, CFO and COO of Lagos, is now at the jewelry brand’s helm while Steven takes on the role of executive chairman.
CrimeSep 10, 2026
FBI Offers $50K Reward for ‘Most Wanted’ Fugitive in $1M Jewelry HeistAlberto Perez-Elias is one of four men charged in the armed robbery of a Cape Coral, Florida, jewelry store and remains at large.
AuctionsSep 10, 2026
Massive Matched Pair of Paraíba Tourmalines Head to Sotheby’sThe “Kat Florence Luminas” will be offered together as one lot and could fetch up to $637,000.
Brought to you by
Your Piece Could Be the One Editors Talk AboutSubmit your pieces for a chance to win in this year's competition.
SourcingSep 10, 2026
AGTA Announces 4 Newly Elected DirectorsFour directors were elected to the AGTA board and will serve three-year terms beginning in February.
Weekly QuizSep 10, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
AuctionsSep 10, 2026
Former Sotheby’s, Christie’s Exec Appointed CEO of Julien’s Auctions Ken Citron joins the celebrity memorabilia-focused auction house ahead of its first week-long series of events in Abu Dhabi.
FinancialsSep 09, 2026
Signet Jewelers to ‘Double Down’ on Blue Nile Amid Strong SalesThe jewelry retailer said it sees opportunity at higher price points, particularly in natural diamonds for bridal and fashion.
Brought to you by
Why More Jewelry Retailers Are Hosting Turnkey Estate Buying EventsRetailers are seeking new ways to attract customers, increase traffic, and create revenue – Estate buying events are a popular solution.
IndependentsSep 09, 2026
Sarah Leonard Fine Jewelers Closes After Nearly 80 YearsThe Los Angeles-based, family-owned jeweler was founded by Lenny and Sunny Friedman in 1946.
SourcingSep 09, 2026
Fura Gems Notes ‘Remarkable’ Interest in Larger Rubies at Latest SaleThe auction, held in Bangkok, was 96 percent sold by lot, with nearly 411,000 carats of Mozambiquan rubies sold.
MajorsSep 09, 2026
Stuller’s Latest Catalog Includes Its New Demi-Fine CollectionFine Jewelry 2027-2028 has more than 900 new styles, including silver, gold-filled, gold-plated sterling silver, and vermeil jewelry.
Policies & IssuesSep 09, 2026
8 Key Changes the FTC Made to the Jewelry Guides: A Refresher Learn more about the new terms for lab-grown diamonds and composite gemstones, and the major changes in store for precious metals jewelry.
IndependentsSep 08, 2026
Ricky Bromberg, Longtime President of Bromberg & Co., Dies at 67 Bromberg is remembered as a Southern gentleman who always wore a suit and tie and treated others with kindness.
TrendsSep 08, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: A Hot Take on September’s Birthstone With high durability and a wide range of colors to choose from, sapphires may be the ultimate birthstone, Gizzi claims.
ColumnistsSep 08, 2026
Peter Smith: Humor Is No Laughing MatterLaughter is often considered a distraction in the workplace, but it has benefits for both staff and management, Peter Smith writes.
MajorsSep 08, 2026
Former Tiffany & Co. Exec Joins Exemplar Luxury GroupGretchen Koback Pursel is the new chief people officer at the company formerly known as Saks Global.
IndependentsSep 04, 2026
Orloff Jewelers Will Soon Unveil a Bigger, Better LocationThe California jeweler is renovating its store in Fresno, with plans to show off the new space in December.
CollectionsSep 04, 2026
Chelsea Gabrielle Transforms Pilates Reformer Springs Into Ring A lifelong practitioner of Pilates, Gabrielle looked to the springs’ tension and suspension when creating this ring, our Piece of the Week.
AuctionsSep 04, 2026
Christie's Names New Global Head of WatchesThe auction house has promoted Remi Guillemin, formerly its head of watches for the Americas and EMEA, to the role.
EditorsSep 03, 2026
Q&A: Simon G.’s CEO on Why He Won’t Use AI for Jewelry DesignZaven Ghanimian discussed the value of human craftsmanship and where the implementation of artificial intelligence does work.
WatchesSep 03, 2026
Robert Pattinson Joins Jaeger-LeCoultre as Brand AmbassadorThe British actor, known for his roles in “Twilight” and “The Odyssey,” will star in a campaign for the Master Control Chronometre.
CollectionsSep 03, 2026
Sydney Evan Celebrates 25 Years With 4 New CollectionsThe “Confetti Disco,” “Champagne Cheers,” “Tuxedo,” and “Classic Punk” jewelry collections each capture a distinct spirit of celebration.
CrimeSep 02, 2026
CA Jeweler Gets 5 Years in ‘Phantom Rolex’ Ponzi SchemeNelson Holdo of Newport Beach pleaded guilty to multiple counts of felony grand theft and writing bad checks and was sentenced Monday.
AuctionsSep 02, 2026
If You Love Cats, This Jewelry Auction Is for YouCat ladies of the jewelry world, unite. Sandy Lerner’s “significant” collection of cat jewelry and other objects is going up for auction.
MajorsSep 02, 2026
Messika Names Former Omega Exec as New President, CEO of AmericasArnaud Michon, the former Omega USA President, will now lead Messika’s Americas region during its international development.
Events & AwardsSep 02, 2026
Emerald’s New Owner Introduces ‘Glitter in the Grove’The branding references the back-to-back jewelry shows that new parent company Forge will host in Miami's Coconut Grove this November.
AuctionsSep 01, 2026
UK Woman Uncovers Rare Patek Philippe Watch in Mom’s Jewelry BoxThe stainless steel Patek Philippe “Calatrava” watch from the 1930s sold for nearly $80,000 at a recent Hansons Cornwall auction.
