Editors

4 Trends from Baselworld 2016

EditorsMar 30, 2016

4 Trends from Baselworld 2016

Small, thinner watches and jewelry that transitions easily from day to night were among the trends our editor-in-chief spotted in Switzerland.


To me, every trade show has a different feel.

In Basel this year, I would describe the mood as a bit subdued and that’s understandable. Baselworld is a global show and, right now, the world outside of Basel is facing a slew of economic and social problems.

As one well-known jewelry designer I interviewed at the show put it: “Politically, religiously, the economy--nothing makes so much sense, even for intelligent people. So we’re not quite sure--and the politicians are not doing a good job--how we can relax today. Because we truly don’t quite understand the problem.”  

That is why I observed what I did in Basel: watch and jewelry brands being more conservative with their new collections and working to create pieces that appeal to consumers in every possible way.

Women at work, and our more casual society
Do you know what my favorite Barbie was when I was younger? It was Day-to-Night Barbie. Her daytime skirt suit (that was pink, of course) concealed a sparkly top and turn-around bottom that she could wear to go out in the evenings after work because, like so many women today, Day-to-Night Barbie did not have time to go home and change.

As a young child I found her adaptability appealing and, looking back on it now, I guess I always liked the idea of being a working woman, hence the way I’ve chosen to live my life as an adult. My younger self also was a big fan of her little briefcase that held various office necessities, including a newspaper, business magazines (Day-to-Night Barbie obviously was an advocate for solid journalism) and calculator.

At Baselworld, Sutra introduced new pieces that are, for it, more subtle, less expensive and designed for everyday wear. This two-tone feather pendant is 18-karat rose and yellow gold with 5 carats of diamonds ($8,750, chain not included).

Today, the day-to-night lifestyle played out by this doll is a reality for many women. According to a study published in 2014 by the Pew Charitable Trusts, the percentage of women in the paid labor force in the U.S. has risen from just above 50 percent in 1984 (the year Day-to-Night Barbie debuted) to nearly 60 percent today.

That is why we continue to see designers creating jewelry that works for both day and evening wear--something not too flashy to wear around the office during the day yet not
so subtle that it gets lost at night.  

I realize the idea of day-to-night wear is not brand new but it was, in my opinion, more prevalent at Baselworld this year.

Another factor contributing to this trend is our more casual society; people rarely, if ever, get dressed up anymore.

If you don’t believe me, take a walk around New York’s Theater District in the evenings when the plays and musicals are letting out; no one thinks twice about wearing jeans to the theater.

If Times Square isn’t enough punishment for you, accompany my mother to church one Sunday. When I attend mass with my parents, my mom often will remark on the way people just don’t dress up for church anymore, and she’s right. I don’t remember ever being allowed to wear jeans to mass, even in the summer when they were more casual and (thank God) shorter. Now, it seems like the norm. Oh, the horror.   

A more casual society demands more casual jewelry.

The unbearable lightness of Baselworld 2016
The world’s watchmakers are in constant pursuit of superlatives, and the “-ests” many were after this year seemed to be thinnest and lightest.

There was Breitling’s 50 mm Avenger Hurricane, made with a trademarked polymer composite the brand dubbed “Breitlight.”It definitely did not feel like a 50 mm watch on your wrist.

In addition, there was Bulgari’s super-slim minute repeater and the Eco-Drive One from Citizen, which the brand said is the world’s thinnest light-powered watch.

Swatch Group-owned brand Rado, meanwhile, called its 2016 collection “lightness inspired” and introduced three very slender watches--the True Open Heart, True Thinline and Hyperchrome Ultra Light.

The Rado True Thinline has a case that’s only 4.9 mm thick and is powered by a quartz movement that measures 1 mm--about the same thickness as a credit card. It the thinnest ceramic watch ever produced by Rado. The True Thinline comes in black, white and a gray shade Rado calls “lustruous plasma” (pictured here.) All three models retail for $2,180.

The thin trend falls in line with watchmakers’ overall desire to make watches that are smaller, less conspicuous and, perhaps most pointedly, more affordable.

Straps and colors
I saw a lot more NATO straps at Baselworld this year than I have in years’ past, and for good reason.

The usually colorful cloth straps, which, according to WatchTime, were created by Great Britain’s Ministry of Defence in the early 1970s, represent another way for brands to bring down the price of their timepieces, in addition to making them smaller.

NATO straps also give the wearer options. They can swap in a NATO strap for their bracelet to create a more casual watch to wear to work or on the weekends and then switch back to the bracelet for more formal occasions. (This also relates to the first trend I outlined above, creating pieces that transition from day to night.)

Oris showed me a number of new NATO strap options for its Divers Sixty-Five watch.

Italian fashion house Gucci rolled out a few as well, as did Rolex, Tudor and the Swatch Group’s highest-end brand, Blancpain, just to name a few.

Color-wise, I observed much of what our (newly minted) Senior Editor Brecken Branstrator did at the Tucson gem shows earlier this year: a lot of pink and blue.

Longines rolled out pink and blue versions of its ladies’ quart La Grande Classique model featuring mother-of-pearl dials decorated with a star. Retail prices range from $1,475 to $3,750 for the 24 mm and $1,525 to $4,050 for the 29 mm size.

Pink (Rose Quartz) and blue (Serenity) were christened the Colors of the Year for 2016 by Pantone, and I noticed both watch and jewelry brands incorporating them into their designs at this year’s show.

Have any thoughts the trends I outlined here? Feel free to send emails, kind, spiteful or otherwise, to michelle.graff@nationaljeweler.com or comment below.
Michelle Graffis the editor-in-chief at National Jeweler, directing the publication’s coverage both online and in print.

The Latest

Sothebys The Desert Rose orangy pink diamond collectors week
AuctionsAug 29, 2025
Sotheby’s UAE Sale to Feature 32-Carat Fancy Vivid Orangy Pink Diamond

The highlight of a single-owner jewelry and watch collection, it’s estimated to fetch up to $7 million at auction this December.

Calvin Klein watch and jewelry campaign
FinancialsAug 29, 2025
Movado’s Q2 Sales Rebound Despite Tariff Impact

CEO Efraim Grinberg noted a resurgence in the fashion watch market.

Mark Davis Bullseye Necklace
CollectionsAug 29, 2025
Piece of the Week: Mark Davis’ ‘Bullseye’ Necklace

The “Bullseye” necklace, with vintage bakelite and peridot, August’s birthstone, is the perfect transitional piece as summer turns to fall.

japac-btyb.png
Brought to you by
Rallying Call for the Jewelry Industry on Tariffs and Other Key Issues

Jewelers of America is leading the charge to protect the industry amidst rising economic threats.

Image #1_Resized.png
Supplier BulletinAug 28, 2025
Clientbook Is Helping Jewelers Turn Clienteling Challenges into Wins with Hands-On Training and Coaching

Sponsored by Clientbook

Weekly QuizAug 29, 2025
This Week’s Quiz
Test your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Take the Quiz
GIA’s new report for lab-grown diamonds
GradingAug 28, 2025
GIA’s New ‘Quality Assessment’ for Lab-Grown Diamonds Is Coming

It will classify lab-grown stones into one of two categories, “premium” or “standard,” in lieu of giving specific color and clarity grades.

Botswana President Duma Boko
SourcingAug 28, 2025
Botswana Declares Public Health Emergency Amid Diamond Sales Slump

President Duma Boko addressed the country’s medical supply chain crisis in a recent televised address.

rio-article photo-diamond.jpg
Brought to you by
Taking the Moment Head On: How Rio Grande Champions the Present & Future of Fine Jewelry

As a leading global jewelry supplier, Rio Grande is rapidly expanding and developing new solutions to meet the needs of jewelers worldwide.

Afton Robertson-Kanne Borsheims
MajorsAug 28, 2025
Borsheims Names New Jewelry Buyer

Former Free People buyer Afton Robertson-Kanne recently joined the retailer.

Sissy’s Log Cabin Back to School and Bling
IndependentsAug 28, 2025
Sissy’s Log Cabin Donates School Supplies to Memphis Students

The jeweler teamed up with two local organizations for its inaugural “Back to School and Bling” event.

11,685-carat Imboo emerald
SourcingAug 27, 2025
11,685-Carat Emerald Recovered From Zambia’s Kagem Mine

Dubbed the “Imboo,” or “buffalo,” emerald, the rough gemstone is part of Gemfields’ latest emerald auction, which is taking place now.

Shopping cart
SurveysAug 27, 2025
Consumer Confidence Slips in August Amid Job, Income Worries

Plans for dining out, booking vacations, and buying big-ticket items were down.

Mine + Found Play Collection Prize Bubble Locket, Whistle Pendent, Fortune Dice
CollectionsAug 27, 2025
Mined + Found’s New Collection Gets Playful

The “Play” collection centers on nostalgic toys that have kinetic elements to carry playfulness and wonder into adulthood.

CCWW lifesaver necklace
CollectionsAug 26, 2025
Does Your Jewelry Stack Need a Snack?

Designer Christina Puchi, the creative force behind CCWW Designs, has created charms and pendants based on iconic candies and crackers.

Nick Jonas x Fossil Campaign
WatchesAug 26, 2025
Nick Jonas Gets Nostalgic in New Fossil Campaign

The Jonas Brothers star showed off new timepieces against the backdrop of his favorite spots in his home state of New Jersey.

Wally Hinkamp and Donna Hinkamp Warren
IndependentsAug 26, 2025
Hinkamp Jewelers Celebrates 70 Years

The family-owned jeweler in Fayetteville, North Carolina, is in the hands of the second generation.

Emmanuel Raheb
ColumnistsAug 26, 2025
Back to School, Back to Style: Why August is Prime Time for Self-Gifting

In his latest column, Emmanuel Raheb shares tips for encouraging customers to treat themselves to new jewelry.

London Jewelers Rolex East Hampton Boutique Exterior
WatchesAug 25, 2025
London Jewelers Brings Rolex to Historic Hamptons Home

The new stand-alone Rolex boutique is housed in the former Odd Fellows Hall, a landmark built in 1897.

Madison Keys
CollectionsAug 25, 2025
Tennis Star Madison Keys Has the Perfect Necklace for the US Open

The Brilliant Earth ambassador co-designed a diamond medallion featuring meaningful symbols.

Marie Lichtenberg emerald and diamond locket on the 18-karat gold “Rosa” chain
TrendsAug 25, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: That’s a Wrap

Wrap jewelry is more than just a trend; it’s the perfect motif for the coming season of layering, scarves, and pumpkin spice.

WatchTime New York
WatchesAug 25, 2025
WatchTime NY Show Returns for 10th Anniversary Edition

The three-day watch collector show, coming this October, will feature 44 exhibiting brands, as well as a new dinner experience.

Sriram “Ram” Natarajan
GradingAug 22, 2025
Former Head of GIA India Promoted to Oversee Global Operations

Sriram “Ram” Natarajan is now GIA’s senior vice president of laboratory operations and is based out of the lab’s headquarters in Carlsbad.

Retrouvaí Diamond Vein Bond Collar
CollectionsAug 22, 2025
Piece of the Week: Retrouvaí’s ‘Diamond Vein Bond’ Collar

The one-of-a-kind collar represents the beauty of imperfection and the strength to rebuild.

Kendra Scott
MajorsAug 22, 2025
Kendra Scott Returns as CEO of Her Jewelry Empire

Three C-suite executives, including former CEO Tom Nolan, have resigned as part of what the company describes as a “transition.”

Claire’s storefront
MajorsAug 21, 2025
Claire’s Finds Buyer, Could Save up to 950 Stores

The retailer, which recently filed Chapter 11, inked a deal to sell its North American business and intellectual property.

Target CEO Brian Cornell and COO Michael Fiddelke
MajorsAug 21, 2025
Target Names New CEO as Sales Continue to Lag

Target CEO Brian Cornell will step down in February and be replaced by the company’s chief operating officer, Michael Fiddelke.

Jewelers of America in Washington DC
Policies & IssuesAug 21, 2025
JA, IDMA Talk Tariffs With Execs in DC

The group met with the president's senior trade advisor earlier this week to express the industry’s concerns about the effects of tariffs.

×

This site uses cookies to give you the best online experience. By continuing to use & browse this site, we assume you agree to our Privacy Policy