AuctionsNov 20, 2025
Vanderbilt Jewels Shine at Phillips Sale, Pink Diamond WithdrawnA 43-carat sapphire brooch from the Vanderbilt collection was the top lot of the Geneva sale.
Events & AwardsApr 15, 2020
MCH Group to Decide Baselworld’s Fate in the Next Few Weeks
The announcement that five major brands are leaving the show has organizers reconsidering its future.
This shot of Baselworld 2019 shows the fountains and seating areas that replaced the space once occupied by Swatch Group, which left the show in 2018. The trade show sustained another blow this week when Rolex, Patek Philippe, Chanel, Chopard and Tudor pulled out. (Photo courtesy of Baselworld)
Basel, Switzerland—In the coming weeks, MCH Group will decide whether Baselworld—once the annual event for the global watch industry—has a future or if it is out of time.
After news surfaced Tuesday morning that five huge brands were pulling out of the show and reorganizing around FHH-run Watches & Wonders Geneva, MCH Group followed with a statement in which it expressed “great surprise and equally great regret” over the loss of Rolex and its sister brand Tudor, Patek Philippe, Chanel and Chopard.
The brands said they are leaving Baselworld “following a number of a number of unilateral decisions made without consultation by Baselworld management, including the postponement of the watch show until January 2021, as well as its inability to meet the brands’ needs and expectations.”
But in its statement issued Tuesday afternoon, MCH Group reiterated earlier claims that it consulted exhibitors when choosing 2021 dates and said the companies now leaving Baselworld—including Rolex—were in favor of a postponement to January 2021.
The company also said the exiting brands have representatives on the Baselworld Exhibitors’ Committee, where “the future vision of Baselworld has been discussed on several occasions and has met with a positive response.”
“The intention to move to Geneva has never been mentioned,” MCH Group said, leading it to conclude that plans for this new show have been in the works for a while and the brands are using the row over its refund policy as a cover for something they’d planned all along.
Rolex and its fellow departees either declined or did not respond to request for comment on MCH Group’s statement.
Tuesday’s announcement that Baselworld would be losing its remaining keystone brands could be the death knell for a once-massive trade show that’s seen more than a few key brands exit.
In 2018, watch behemoth Swatch Group, which had 17 brands in the show, announced it was pulling out and would not return in 2019, dealing a major blow to Baselworld.
Following the 2019 show, Breitling said it wouldn’t return in 2020.
This year, the major cancellations have been piling up, due at least in part to the coronavirus.
Baselworld lost Gucci, Bulgari, Seiko and Grand Seiko, and Citizen and Bulova before announcing in late February that it was “postponing” Baselworld to Jan. 28 to Feb. 2, 2021 after Switzerland put a ban on large public gatherings because of COVID-19.
Last
week, the remaining exhibitors—backed by a Rolex executive—blasted MCH Group for its 2020 show refund policy, which they view as unfair, particularly in light of the fact that the show is moving from April to dates in January that don’t work for a lot of them.
Baselworld 2020 was scheduled for April 30-May 5, right after Watches & Wonders Geneva (formerly SIHH), which the Fondation de la Haute Horlogerie organizes.
In 2021, Watches & Wonders is sticking with April dates while Baselworld is scheduled for Jan. 28 to Feb. 2.
That means it is no longer coordinated with Watches & Wonders, and it also conflicts with VicenzaOro, The Original Miami Beach Antique Show and the Tucson gem shows.
MCH Group said it will decide on “the continuation of Baselworld and on investments in its further development” in the next few weeks.
More on Events & Awards
The Latest
CollectionsNov 20, 2025
Rebecca Rau Jewels Debuts With ‘Then & Now’ CollectionRau is a fourth-generation art and antique dealer from M.S. Rau gallery whose first jewelry collection merges artifacts with modern design.
Policies & IssuesNov 20, 2025
RJC Names New Executive DirectorFormer De Beers sustainability leader Purvi Shah will take over the role in February 2026.
Brought to you by
Impacting Tomorrow TodayHow Jewelers of America’s 20 Under 40 are leading to ensure a brighter future for the jewelry industry.
WatchesNov 20, 2025
LVMH Takes Minority Stake in Citizen Group-Owned Movement Maker La Joux-Perret is based in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland, and makes solar quartz as well as mechanical watch movements.
Weekly QuizNov 20, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
GradingNov 20, 2025
Julia Griffith Joins SSEF as Head of EducationShe previously taught at Gem-A and is the founder of The Gem Academy.
CollectionsNov 19, 2025
Larkspur & Hawk Celebrates 25 Years With Helena Bonham Carter CampaignThe British actress and her daughter modeled pieces from the brand’s new “Palette” capsule for its “Once Upon a Time” holiday campaign.
Brought to you by
Roseco Releases New Full-Line CatalogRoseco’s 704-page catalog showcases new lab-grown diamonds, findings, tools & more—available in print or interactive digital editions.
TechnologyNov 19, 2025
Google Has a New Form for Reporting ‘Review Bombing’ Attacks Plus, the tech giant shares the steps retailers should take if they believe they’re a victim of a review extortion scam.
IndependentsNov 19, 2025
Houston Jeweler Keith Shaftel Retires, Next Generation Steps In Danny and Gaby Shaftel are now Shaftel Diamonds’ CEO and chief operating officer, respectively.
TrendsNov 19, 2025
Midas Chain Releases 2025 Holiday Style GuideThe jewelry manufacturer’s seasonal offering features its new “Melodie” bangles, as well as mini stud earrings and layering pieces.
MajorsNov 18, 2025
Lugano Diamonds Files for Bankruptcy, Looking for BuyerThe Chapter 11 filing follows the resignation of CEO Moti Ferder, who stepped down after an investigation into the company’s finances.
SourcingNov 18, 2025
Another Diamond Company CEO Steps DownMark Wall, president and CEO of Canadian mining company Mountain Province Diamonds, will vacate his position next month.
CrimeNov 17, 2025
Police Searching for 2 Suspects in Murder of Father, Son Jewelers Faustino Alamo Dominguez and his son, 25-year-old Luis Angel Alamo, were gunned down following an armed robbery at their jewelry store.
GradingNov 17, 2025
IGI Announces New President of North AmericaTiffany & Co. veteran Jeffrey Bennett has stepped into the role.
MajorsNov 17, 2025
Look Inside Robbins Brothers Fine Jewelers’ New Pasadena FlagshipThe showroom is located in a historic 1920s building in the Playhouse District.
Policies & IssuesNov 14, 2025
U.S., Switzerland Reach Deal That Drops Tariff to 15%The Swiss government announced the deal, which cuts the tax on Swiss imports by more than half, on social media Friday morning.
AuctionsNov 14, 2025
Napoleon’s Diamond Brooch Blows Away Auction Estimates A buyer paid $4.4 million for the piece, which Napoleon wore on his hat for special occasions and left behind when he fled Waterloo.
FinancialsNov 14, 2025
Richemont’s Q2 Jewelry Sales Up 12%Plus, how tariffs and the rising price of gold are affecting its watch and jewelry brands.
CollectionsNov 14, 2025
Piece of the Week: Silvia Furmanovich’s ‘Butterflies in Flight’ Jewelry BoxFurmanovich designed the box to hold Mellerio’s “Color Queen,” a high jewelry collection consisting of 10 rings.
Events & AwardsNov 14, 2025
JCK Names New Event DirectorJennifer Hopf, who has been with JCK since 2022, will lead the execution of the long-running jewelry trade show.
IndependentsNov 13, 2025
127-Year-Old New Orleans Jeweler to CloseAdler’s Jewelry is set to close its two stores as 82-year-old owner Coleman E. Adler II retires.
IndependentsNov 13, 2025
Green Lake Jewelry Works to Move to New Seattle StudioFounder Jim Tuttle shared how a dedication to craftsmanship and meaningful custom jewelry fueled the retailer’s double-digit growth.
MajorsNov 13, 2025
Vahan Jewelry Founder Leon ‘Sacha’ Der Calousdian Dies at 85The third-generation jeweler is remembered as a passionate creative with a love of art, traveling and sailboat racing.
CrimeNov 12, 2025
Father, Son Jewelers in Chicago Victims in Double Homicide JSA and Cook County Crime Stoppers are both offering rewards for information leading to the arrest of the suspect or suspects involved.
AuctionsNov 12, 2025
‘Mellon Blue’ Diamond Sells for $7M Less Than It Did a Decade AgoA buyer paid $25.6 million for the diamond at Christie’s on Tuesday. In 2014, Sotheby’s sold the same stone for $32.6 million.
AuctionsNov 12, 2025
Historic Rolex Oyster Fetches $1.7M at Sotheby’sMercedes Gleitze famously wore the watch in her 1927 swim across the English Channel, a pivotal credibility moment for the watchmaker.
