CollectionsNov 05, 2024
Jacquie Aiche is Hosting an Online Treasure HuntOne lucky winner will receive a “Lizzie” diamond bracelet.
Events & AwardsJul 30, 2018
Swatch Group Pulls Out of Baselworld
The exit is a major blow to the flailing watch and jewelry trade show.
A shot from the 2018 edition of Baselworld taken inside the Swatch Group pavilion. The Swiss watch giant announced that it won’t be exhibiting at the watch and jewelry trade show “from 2019 onwards,” meaning the show will lose 17 brands. Image courtesy of Baselworld.
Biel/Bienne, Switzerland—Swatch Group is leaving Baselworld indefinitely, dealing another blow to a watch and jewelry trade show already facing an uncertain future.
The Swiss watch company made the announcement over the weekend, calling out Baselworld organizer The MCH Group for putting profit above innovation despite the need for watch and jewelry trade shows to change to adapt to the market today.
“Today everything has become more transparent, fast-moving, and instantaneous … In this new context, annual watch fairs, as they exist today, no longer make much sense,” Swatch Group said in a statement emailed to National Jeweler Monday morning. “This does not mean that they should disappear. But it is necessary that they reinvent themselves, responding appropriately to the current situation and demonstrating more dynamism and creativity. At the moment, the trade fairs are failing to do so.
“The MCH Group, which organizes Baselworld, is clearly more concerned with optimizing and amortizing its new building—which, incidentally, is largely financed by the watch industry during the fairs—than it is in having the courage to make real progress and to bring about true and profound changes. For all these reasons, Swatch Group has decided that from 2019 onwards, it will no longer be present at Baselworld.”
Swatch Group has a total of 18 watch brands, ranging from high-end labels like Breguet and Blancpain to its Swatch watches, which retail for as little as $50.
Seventeen of its 18 brands exhibit at the show each year (Swatch is the only one that doesn’t) in a pavilion that serves as the centerpiece of Hall 1.0.
The brands leaving Baselworld are: Breguet, Harry Winston, Blancpain, Glashütte Original, Jaquet Droz, Léon Hatot, Omega, Longines, Rado, Union Glashütte, Tissot, Balmain, Certina, Mido, Hamilton, Calvin Klein and Flik Flak.
In addition, Swatch Group had another booth at Baselworld 2018 that was shared by two of its production units, ETA and Renata.
MCH Group CEO Rene Kamm issued a statement Monday afternoon that the company “extraordinarily regrets” Swatch Group’s decision and that the cancellation is “surprising” given the new team—Baselworld apppointed a new managing director in May after Sylvie Ritter resigned—and new ideas, which it says have been presented to the show’s exhibitors.
Swatch Group’s exit comes at a difficult time for Baselworld. The 2018 edition of the watch and jewelry trade show was smaller by half and two days shorter. Key exhibitors lost for
2018 included Movado Group, which skipped the trade show in favor of holding its own summit in Davos, Switzerland.
Immediately following Baselworld 2018, veteran watch journalist Joe Thompson wrote an article for Hodinkee.com questioning if the show would survive past 2019.
Swatch Group’s assertions about the show—that organizers put making money above doing what’s best for exhibitors—are similar to those expressed by designer Stephen Webster, who pulled his eponymous brand from the show a few years ago.
Interviewed by National Jeweler earlier this year for a story on the future of jewelry trade shows, Webster talked about the skyrocketing costs of exhibiting at Baselworld, but said when he took his concerns to show organizers, “they made it very clear Baselworld was no longer a place for me. I think now that would be quite different, but I would never go back.”
Citing similar concerns, this year a pair of fine jewelry exhibitors who had showed at Baselworld for decades partnered to create a new trade show called GemGenève, touting themselves as an exhibitor-led effort.
One of the GemGenève founders, Thomas Färber of Faerber Collection, told National Jeweler, “We thought that we know better what our sector of the industry needs than the big organizers.”
Editor’s note: This story was updated post-publication to add a statement from The MCH Group, the company that runs Baselworld.
Immediately following Baselworld 2018, veteran watch journalist Joe Thompson wrote an article for Hodinkee.com questioning if the show would survive past 2019.
Swatch Group’s assertions about the show—that organizers put making money above doing what’s best for exhibitors—are similar to those expressed by designer Stephen Webster, who pulled his eponymous brand from the show a few years ago.
Interviewed by National Jeweler earlier this year for a story on the future of jewelry trade shows, Webster talked about the skyrocketing costs of exhibiting at Baselworld, but said when he took his concerns to show organizers, “they made it very clear Baselworld was no longer a place for me. I think now that would be quite different, but I would never go back.”
Citing similar concerns, this year a pair of fine jewelry exhibitors who had showed at Baselworld for decades partnered to create a new trade show called GemGenève, touting themselves as an exhibitor-led effort.
One of the GemGenève founders, Thomas Färber of Faerber Collection, told National Jeweler, “We thought that we know better what our sector of the industry needs than the big organizers.”
Editor’s note: This story was updated post-publication to add a statement from The MCH Group, the company that runs Baselworld.
More on Events & Awards
The Latest
IndependentsNov 05, 2024
Long's Jewelers Names New Director of BuyingSamantha Larson has joined the Boston-based retailer.
MajorsNov 04, 2024
Jewelers Mutual Appoints Mastercard Exec to Its BoardDana J. Lorberg brings 35 years of experience in finance, technology, and strategy to the role.
Brought to you by
Navigating Cybersecurity: Essential Guidance for JewelersFrom protecting customer data to safeguarding inventory records, it's crucial to learn how to tackle cybersecurity challenges.
CrimeNov 04, 2024
FBI Offering $15K Reward for Info on Halloween Mask-Wearing RobbersThe suspects are said to have been involved in the armed robberies of four jewelry stores across three Midwest states.
Weekly QuizOct 31, 2024
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
CollectionsNov 04, 2024
John Hardy’s New Jewels Turn the Black Sands of Bali into DiamondsThe new designs blend Creative Director Reed Krakoff’s aesthetic with the brand’s Balinese roots.
IndependentsNov 04, 2024
Eiseman Jewels is Celebrating Watches All Month-LongThe Dallas-based jeweler will showcase timepieces from Cartier, IWC Schaffhausen, Jaeger-LeCoultre, Parmigiani Fleurier, and more.
Brought to you by
Enhance Your Expertise with IGI’s In-Person Courses in NYCThis fall, sharpen your skills in jewelry grading, quality control and diamond assessment.
SourcingNov 01, 2024
Reena Ahluwalia Donates Diamond Painting to Benefit CJAThe artwork, titled “Pristine,” was raffled off at the Canadian Jewellers Association’s recent summit.
IndependentsNov 01, 2024
Gunderson’s Jewelers Opens New Location in NebraskaThe new store features a custom design studio and a bridal salon.
CollectionsNov 01, 2024
Piece of the Week: Sydney Evan Gets ‘Wicked’Designer Rosanne Karmes has created a collection to coincide with the release of the movie musical, which is expected to be a blockbuster.
FinancialsOct 31, 2024
Charles & Colvard Faces Possible Nasdaq DelistingThe retailer said it will file the necessary paperwork to regain compliance as soon as it is able.
ColumnistsOct 31, 2024
Peter Smith: Nervous Flyers and Emotional SellingWhether you’re calming the jittery gentleman in seat 13B or selling a diamond ring to a hesitant customer, an empathetic approach is best.
Events & AwardsOct 31, 2024
WJA Will Celebrate 4 Award Winners at ‘Future of Forty’ GalaThe gala includes a red carpet, music from DJ Renata, an awards program, and “mystery boxes.”
Events & AwardsOct 31, 2024
The Instore Show Returns To Chicago AreaThe trade show, in its third year, will take place in late September at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, Illinois.
Lab-GrownOct 31, 2024
Q&A: Constance Polamalu on Selling Natural and Lab-Grown DiamondsThe jeweler shared her change of heart on lab-grown diamonds and why she keeps them separate from natural diamonds in her business ventures.
Events & AwardsOct 30, 2024
These Designers, Journalists, and Retailers Are Up for a Gem Award The 2025 Gem Awards are scheduled to take place March 14 at Cipriani 42nd Street in New York City.
MajorsOct 30, 2024
Peggy Grosz Leaves Assael After Company Is SoldGrosz had served as Assael’s senior vice president and creative director since 2017.
CollectionsOct 30, 2024
CD Peacock Honors Its Hometown of Chicago in First Bridal Collection“Love and Celebration” is the jeweler’s first in-house collection featuring engagement rings, wedding bands, and celebration rings.
SurveysOct 30, 2024
Consumer Confidence Rebounds in OctoberA more positive view of the labor market contributed to the strongest monthly gain since March 2021.
Events & AwardsOct 30, 2024
Mejuri to Award $50K in Scholarships to Jewelry Design StudentsThe funds will be distributed to schools in the U.S., Canada, and the U.K.
MajorsOct 29, 2024
Cybersecurity Expert Selected as President of Jewelers’ Security AllianceJennifer Mulvihill, the first woman to lead JSA in the organization’s 141-year history, takes over for the retiring John Kennedy.
Events & AwardsOct 29, 2024
The Can’t-Miss Events of 2024 New York City Jewelry WeekThis year’s festivities include more than 100 experiences, such as designer showcases, panel discussions, and even a treasure hunt.
AuctionsOct 29, 2024
Rolex Worn on Apollo 14 Mission Sells for More Than $2MThe GMT-Master “Pepsi” that belonged to astronaut Edgar Mitchell is one of two Apollo-flown Rolex watches ever sold at auction.
MajorsOct 29, 2024
Pandora’s Holiday Campaign, New Jewelry Celebrate Light and LoveThe ads star brand ambassadors Chloe and Halle Bailey and Pamela Anderson.
SourcingOct 29, 2024
De Beers’ Production Drops 25% as Demand Remains SluggishThe company combined two sights in Q3 due to the slowdown in demand, and said it is moving up the dates for sights 9 and 10 in Q4.
EditorsOct 28, 2024
Q&A: Monica Rich Kosann Looks Back on 20 Years The jewelry designer discussed how she got into the jewelry industry, what she keeps in her favorite locket, and the future of her brand.
