CollectionsJun 06, 2025
Piece of the Week: Harwell Godfrey’s ‘Granny Squares Eleanor’ Necklace As an homage to iconic crochet blankets, the necklace features the nostalgic motif through a kaleidoscope of cabochon-cut stones.
Events & AwardsMar 17, 2016
3 Observations from Opening Day at Baselworld
New technology is on display alongside one very old tradition, watch-making, at Baselworld 2016, which kicked off Thursday in Switzerland.
Two of the new watches brands are unveiling at Baselworld; on the left, the limited edition Superocean Heritage Chronoworks with 100-hour power reserve from Breitling ($39,295) and the 38 mm women’s Canfield from Shinola ($650 to $900).
Basel--New technology is on display alongside one very old tradition, watch-making, at Baselworld 2016, which kicked off Thursday in Switzerland.
Here are five observations we made after roaming the halls on the first day of the show.
1) New technologies are playing a bigger role at Baselworld this year.
There’s platinum jewelry made using 3-D printing at the booth of German company Heimerle + Meule, while a 5-carat lab-grown blue diamond--the biggest synthetic blue the GIA’s ever seen--was feted at a press conference Thursday. There are also plenty of smartwatches and other wearables on display from brands including Breitling, Movado and TAG Heuer.
2) The global economic outlook is “gloomy.”
Baselworld Managing Director Sylvie Ritter described the global economic climate as “gloomy” at the pre-show press conference held Wednesday and the outlook for watches remains challenging between the slowdown in China/Hong Kong and the strength of the Swiss franc.
Swiss watch exports fell 3 percent in value terms in 2015, according to statistics released earlier this year by the Federation of the Swiss Watch Industry, though exports to the world’s second largest market for Swiss watches, the United States, was down less than 1 percent.
The decline marked the first drop in Swiss watch exports since 2009, albeit figures from the last two years signaled that a slowdown was ahead--they rose only 2 percent in both 2013 and 2014 before dropping last year.
3) But established brands as well as brands with a story to tell continue to do well.
Breitling introduced its version of a smartwatch at the show, the Exospace B55 Connected. While the watch does have a small window for smartphone notifications right below 12 o’clock, it is not too much of a departure from the brand’s traditional pilot watch.
In addition, Breitling didn’t allow development of a smartwatch too take away from the time it put into its mechanical movements. The brand’s new Super Ocean Heritage Chronoworks, a chronograph powered by an optimized version of the BC01 that has a 100-hour power reserve.
Created in a limited edition of 100, the 46 mm chronograph is Breitling’s first watch with a 100-hour power reserve and retails for $39,295.
Also at the show, Shinola, the Detroit-based maker of watches and leather goods, introduced the Canfield.
Named after the neighborhood where its Detroit store is located, the Canfield is the brand’s first watch where the
movement is top-loaded instead of being installed through the back, allowing the face to have a more open look.
The 38 mm women’s model retails for $650 to $900 while the men’s is 43 mm and sells for $650 to $1,050.
Baselworld continues through March 24. National Jeweler will be providing live updates throughout the show.
The 38 mm women’s model retails for $650 to $900 while the men’s is 43 mm and sells for $650 to $1,050.
Baselworld continues through March 24. National Jeweler will be providing live updates throughout the show.
More on Events & Awards
The Latest
SourcingJun 05, 2025
A Rare Suite of Rubies Has Arrived in Las VegasThe “Royal Ruby” Collection is a quintet of untreated rubies curated by collector Jack Abraham.
Events & AwardsJun 05, 2025
Daymond John to Give Keynote at JCK Las VegasThe entrepreneur and “Shark Tank” star will share his top tips for success.
Brought to you by
The True Power Behind the Counter: Why Sales Associates Are the Heart of the Jewelry BusinessWhen investing in your jewelry business, it's important not to overlook the most crucial element of success: the sales associates.
MajorsJun 05, 2025
Platinum Guild International Updates Leadership TeamTwo existing executives have been given new roles.
Weekly QuizJun 05, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Events & AwardsJun 05, 2025
Zillion Announces 'Women in STEM' Scholarship RecipientMeredith Tiderington, an electrical engineering student, was selected for the award.
Lab-GrownJun 04, 2025
GIA Reverting to More General Terminology for Lab-Grown DiamondsIt will quit assigning the stones specific color and clarity grades in favor of applying “new descriptive terminology.”
Brought to you by
Clienteling Isn’t a Buzzword. It’s an Essential Business Model.More shoppers are walking out without buying. Here’s how smart jewelers can bring them back—and the tool they need to do it right.
Events & AwardsJun 04, 2025
As JCK Talks Returns, Don’t Miss These 12 SessionsFrom design trends to sustainability, here’s a roundup of can’t-miss education sessions at JCK Las Vegas.
CrimeJun 04, 2025
10 Safety Tips for the Las Vegas Shows The Jewelers’ Security Alliance offers advice for those attending the annual trade shows.
MajorsJun 04, 2025
Amy Curran Promoted at Hill & Co.Her new role is director of strategic initiatives.
CollectionsJun 03, 2025
In Her Latest Collection, Viviana Langhoff Is Leaning Into GoldThe designer is embracing bold pieces with weight to them in “AU79,” a collection she celebrated with a creative launch party.
FinancialsJun 03, 2025
Signet Jewelers Sees Turnaround in Q1 With Sales Ticking Up 2%On an earnings call, CEO J.K. Symancyk discussed what’s working for the company and how it’s preparing for the potential impact of tariffs.
SurveysJun 03, 2025
Consumer Confidence Improves in May The index partially rebounded after months of decline, due in part to the U.S.-China deal to temporarily reduce import tariffs.
CollectionsJun 03, 2025
Dakota Johnson Is Roberto Coin’s New Brand AmbassadorThe actress stars in the latest campaign set in Venice, Italy, and is set to participate in other creative initiatives for the jeweler.
GradingJun 03, 2025
Mason-Kay Jade Adds ‘Fei Cui’ to Jade ReportsThe company has joined other labs, including GIA and Lotus Gemology, in adopting the Chinese term for "jadeite jade."
SourcingJun 02, 2025
Gemfields’ June Auction to Include 36-Carat RubyThe large stone will be offered at its June sale along with a selection of secondary-type rubies from a new area of the Montepuez mine.
GradingJun 02, 2025
GSI Opens New Lab in Thailand Located in Bangkok, the laboratory is Gemological Science International’s 14th location worldwide.
TrendsJun 02, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: Three Gems for June Those born in June have a myriad of options for their birthstone jewelry.
SourcingJun 02, 2025
David Allouche Joins Grandview Klein DiamondsThe diamond industry veteran has been named its senior sales executive.
FinancialsMay 30, 2025
Movado’s Q1 Sales Slip Amid ‘Challenging’ Retail Environment The company plans to raise the prices of select watches to offset the impact of tariffs.
Policies & IssuesMay 30, 2025
Tariffs & Designers: Navigating Pricing in an Unstable EnvironmentBetween tariffs and the sky-high cost of gold, designers enter this year’s Las Vegas shows with a lot of questions and few answers.
CollectionsMay 30, 2025
Piece of the Week: Renato Cipullo’s ‘Hematite Blaze’ NecklaceDesigned by founder Renato and his daughter Serena Cipullo, it showcases a flame motif representing unity and the power of gathering.
Policies & IssuesMay 30, 2025
Trade Court Declares Trump’s Tariffs InvalidHowever, the tariffs remain in effect in the short term, as an appeals court has stayed the U.S. Court of International Trade’s decision.
CollectionsMay 29, 2025
Britney Spears Files Trademark for New Jewelry LineThe pop icon is one step closer to launching her “B Tiny” jewelry collection, a collection she first began posting about last fall.
Supplier BulletinMay 29, 2025
Inoveo Platinum Grain, Exclusively Distributed by StullerSponsored by Stuller
SourcingMay 29, 2025
Grizzly Auctions 6,620-Carat EmeraldIt was featured in the miner’s latest sale, which brought in $24.8 million.
