IndependentsAug 20, 2025
Bellman’s Jewelers Opens Second Store After COO's TikTok Takes OffThe New Hampshire-based store has expanded to Boston, propelled by the success of Alex Bellman’s TikTok page, “The Truthful Jeweler.”
CollectionsApr 29, 2016
Watches of Baselworld 2013
The introduction of more mid- and entry-price watch lines, an affinity for blue dials and timepieces created in the Art Deco style were among the trends observed at Baselworld 2013.
Basel--The introduction of more mid- and entry-price watch lines, an affinity for blue dials and timepieces created in the Art Deco style were among the trends observed at Baselworld 2013.
It is considered a major showcase for watches in particular, as many brands develop their latest innovations on a timetable of debuting them in Basel. One executive described the show as marking the “new year of the watch industry.”
A total of 1,460 brands exhibited at this year’s show, down 24 percent from the prior year, and a majority of those are watch companies. Below are highlights of the top three trends tracked by National Jeweler, as well as links to a photo gallery of watches.
1. High and low
During Baselworld 2013, Swatch Group called a press conference to make a big announcement. As it turned out, the announcement did not involve a highly complicated revelation in watch-making from Breguet or Blancpain.
Swatch Group, instead, revealed that it had created a self-winding mechanical version of its plastic Swatch watch, the Sistem 51. The watch will retail for about $200 or less. Its movement contains 51 parts, less than half the number found in most mechanical watch movements, and is the world’s first movement assembled entirely by machine.
With this watch, Swatch Group is targeting the Asian market, where consumers are “in love with” mechanical watches but can’t always afford them, Swatch Group Chairwoman Nayla Hayek told Reuters.
The same could be said for the U.S. market, where consumers still love jewelry and watches but no longer have the same amount of disposable income (or access to lines of credit) and are looking for lower-priced alternatives of good quality.
“Certainly, the U.S. market appears to be very strong in that sub-$1,500 segment, if not below,” said Jon Cox, the Zurich-based head of Swiss research for Kepler Capital Markets.
Consider recent launch lines in the United States: 88 Rue du Rhone, created by the grandsons of watchmaker Raymond Weil, the U.S.-made Shinola, and Claude Bernard, which launched just a few months ago and makes mechanical watches starting at $575 retail.
Existing brands also are attempting to create lower-price mechanical models, though their price tags don’t dip quite
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
as low as that of the Sistem 51. At the show, Swatch Group-owned Hamilton introduced a skeletonized mechanical watch that retails for just under $1,200.
This does not mean, however, that the high-end watch customer has disappeared entirely. Retailers who took National Jeweler’s year-end survey reported strong holiday sales of top-tier brands including Rolex and Patek Philippe.
2. A case (or dial) of the blues
Color has been omni-present on the fashion runways in recent years as the recession fades and consumers, financially and emotionally, find themselves feeling more upbeat.
Bold hues certainly made their presence known at Baselworld this year, with one shade in particular standing out: blue.
In naming its prominent tones for fall 2013, color authority Pantone picked Mykonos blue, “a bold, meditative blue for a classic and relaxed fall look.”
At Basel, dials, straps and cases could be found in varying shades of the hue, on, for example, TAG Heuer’s limited-edition Leonardo DiCaprio and a new Maestro model from Raymond Weil, which introduced the color into this line for the first time.
Rolex chose a light blue for the dial on its new, all-platinum Oyster Perpetual Cosmograph Daytona. The model, which debuted in 1963, marks its 50th anniversary this year.
3. Time for a return
The Art Deco style, which first enjoyed popularity in the 1920s and 1930s, is popular in fashion and jewelry right now. It seems only fitting, then, that the trend extended to a few watch models that debuted at the 2013 Baselworld show.
As for metals, rose gold, or rose gold PVD, remained popular as did two-tone models, with a number of brands introducing stainless steel and gold models into already established lines.
This does not mean, however, that the high-end watch customer has disappeared entirely. Retailers who took National Jeweler’s year-end survey reported strong holiday sales of top-tier brands including Rolex and Patek Philippe.
2. A case (or dial) of the blues
Color has been omni-present on the fashion runways in recent years as the recession fades and consumers, financially and emotionally, find themselves feeling more upbeat.
Bold hues certainly made their presence known at Baselworld this year, with one shade in particular standing out: blue.
In naming its prominent tones for fall 2013, color authority Pantone picked Mykonos blue, “a bold, meditative blue for a classic and relaxed fall look.”
At Basel, dials, straps and cases could be found in varying shades of the hue, on, for example, TAG Heuer’s limited-edition Leonardo DiCaprio and a new Maestro model from Raymond Weil, which introduced the color into this line for the first time.
Rolex chose a light blue for the dial on its new, all-platinum Oyster Perpetual Cosmograph Daytona. The model, which debuted in 1963, marks its 50th anniversary this year.
3. Time for a return
The Art Deco style, which first enjoyed popularity in the 1920s and 1930s, is popular in fashion and jewelry right now. It seems only fitting, then, that the trend extended to a few watch models that debuted at the 2013 Baselworld show.
As for metals, rose gold, or rose gold PVD, remained popular as did two-tone models, with a number of brands introducing stainless steel and gold models into already established lines.
More on Collections
The Latest
CrimeAug 20, 2025
Another CA Jewelry Store Rammed With Car, RobbedThe latest incident happened Monday at a store in Oakland, California, continuing a pattern JSA first warned about last month.
WatchesAug 20, 2025
Oris Launches Watch Benefiting NYC Harbor Oyster RestorationThe new aqua green New York Harbor Limited Edition II is the watchmaker’s second collaboration with the Billion Oyster Project.
Brought to you by
Rallying Call for the Jewelry Industry on Tariffs and Other Key IssuesJewelers of America is leading the charge to protect the industry amidst rising economic threats.
Events & AwardsAug 20, 2025
Take the Jewelers for Children ‘Trinity of Purpose’ ChallengeParticipants who attend any three Rings of Strength events will be awarded a special medal.
Weekly QuizAug 15, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
SourcingAug 19, 2025
Dubai’s Jemora Group Buys Diamond Miner LucapaThe investment company, founded by Dev Shetty, has acquired the struggling miner and its assets, including the Lulo mine in Angola.
ColumnistsAug 19, 2025
Peter Smith: The Arrival Fallacy and Jewelry RetailSmith shares wisdom he gleaned from a podcast he was listening to one morning while being walked by his dog, a Malshi named Sophie.
Brought to you by
Taking the Moment Head On: How Rio Grande Champions the Present & Future of Fine JewelryAs a leading global jewelry supplier, Rio Grande is rapidly expanding and developing new solutions to meet the needs of jewelers worldwide.
CrimeAug 19, 2025
Customs Seizes 7,300 Pairs of Fake ‘Alhambra’ EarringsThe counterfeit Van Cleef & Arpels jewels would have been worth more than $30 million if genuine.
MajorsAug 19, 2025
MJSA Apprenticeship Program Is Nationally RecognizedThe MJSA Mentor & Apprenticeship Program received the Registered Apprenticeship Program designation by the U.S. Department of Labor.
WatchesAug 19, 2025
Casio America Names New Timepiece Division ManagerCasio executive and watch enthusiast Masaki Obu is the new general manager of its U.S. timepiece division.
MajorsAug 18, 2025
Verragio’s Michael Barabash, a ‘Kind Soul,’ Dies at 58Barabash, Verragio’s client relations representative, was a vital member of the team and is remembered as being warm and full of life.
Events & AwardsAug 18, 2025
IJO Announces 2025 Vendor of the YearAllison-Kaufman has received the honor for the fourth year in a row.
FinancialsAug 15, 2025
In Q2 Results, Pandora Talks Tariffs, Q4 Plans The company had a solid second quarter, with sales of non-charm jewelry outpacing sales of pieces in its core collections.
EditorsAug 15, 2025
Piece of the Week: Etho Maria’s Showgirl-Approved Ruby Drop Earrings Taylor Swift dons the vibrant pair in new promotional imagery for her upcoming album, “The Life of a Showgirl,” set to release in October.
WatchesAug 15, 2025
Audemars Piguet Acquires Majority Stake in ManufacturerIts investment in micromechanics expert Inhotec will preserve skills essential to the watchmaking industry as a whole, said the company.
MajorsAug 15, 2025
Rio Grande Names New Marketing DirectorNicolette Bianchi joins the wholesale provider with more than 15 years of cross-industry experience in marketing and product development.
MajorsAug 14, 2025
Casio America Names New CEOLongtime Casio executive Yusuke Suzuki is the new president and CEO of Casio’s U.S. subsidiary.
SourcingAug 14, 2025
West Coast Orgs to Host Trading Event, Mixer in LAThe full-day sourcing and networking event, slated for Aug. 18, will be followed by the fifth annual Mega Mixer Summer Soirée.
TrendsAug 13, 2025
Cristiano Ronaldo Proposes With Gigantic Oval-Cut DiamondModel Georgina Rodríguez received a rock of an engagement ring, with her diamond estimated to be 35 carats, experts say.
SourcingAug 13, 2025
ICA Names 2025 Board of DirectorsThe board elected 9 new directors at its recent ICA Congress in Brazil.
TrendsAug 13, 2025
Colorado Jeweler, Whiskey Maker Collab on Ring GiveawayThree winners will receive a custom ring from Honest Hands Ring Co. inlaid with a piece of history from Denver-based distillery Stranahan’s.
SurveysAug 13, 2025
These Are The 25 Hottest Retailers, Says NRFJD Sports and Wawa were among the fastest-growing retail companies in the U.S. last year.
SourcingAug 13, 2025
Columbia Gem House Launches Winza Sapphires, RubiesThe new inventory, all untreated, features vibrant hues and unique bicolor combinations.
SourcingAug 12, 2025
Gemfields Sells Fabergé for $50MAcquired by a tech investor, the historic brand will continue to focus on jewelry, accessories, and timepieces.
Policies & IssuesAug 12, 2025
Higher Tariff on Chinese Imports Paused for 90 Days, Trump SaysPresident Donald Trump issued an executive order extending the pause on higher tariffs to November as negotiations with China continue.
CollectionsAug 12, 2025
Jacquie Aiche’s New Collection Harnesses the Energy of the ThunderbirdThe “Thunderbird Slab” collection features a thunderbird motif as a symbol of power, protection, and boundless possibility.
