CollectionsDec 20, 2024
Piece of the Week: Retrouvaí’s Ring for CharityIn the spirit of giving, Retrouvaí will donate $4,000 from the sale of this ring to the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank.
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
IndependentsDec 19, 2024
Michigan’s DeVries Jewelers Unveils New Location in Time for the HolidaysCo-owner Dan DeVries shared what it’s like moving into a space triple the size of its old store and how it feels to be a “real jeweler” now.
CollectionsDec 19, 2024
State Property Transforms Spain’s Generalife Gardens into JewelryAlong with the latest “Gardens” collection, the brand has released limited-edition designs offering more indulgent pieces.
Brought to you by
De Beers Group Launches Holiday Campaign for Natural Diamonds‘Forever Present’ campaign revives the iconic A Diamond is Forever tagline and celebrates the diamond dream.
CrimeDec 19, 2024
Alleged Jewelry Thieves Attempt Rowboat EscapeThe man and woman are accused of stealing jewelry from a shipping container then trying to flee by paddling a small boat out into a bay.
Weekly QuizDec 19, 2024
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
SourcingDec 19, 2024
The Second-Largest Diamond Ever Found Now Has a Name The 2,488-carat diamond recovered from a mine in Botswana has been dubbed “Motswedi” while its 1,094-carat sibling is “Seriti.”
SourcingDec 19, 2024
Gemfields Reports Record Ruby Auction Results Despite Challenges at SourceThe average price per carat hit a record high for the miner, which said it remains unaffected by the conflict in Mozambique.
Brought to you by
Advocacy and Excellence: How Jewelers of America Is Committed to Elevating Our Industry For over a century, Jewelers of America has been the voice of the industry and valuable resource to jewelers across the country.
AuctionsDec 18, 2024
Alexandrite Ring Sells for Record-Setting $1.9M at Sotheby’sThe nearly 17-carat stone made history for the color-change gem that, according to the auction house, is experiencing a “notable surge” in the market.
WatchesDec 18, 2024
Historic Titanic Pocket Watch Winds Its Way Back to Tiffany & Co. More than a century after survivors gifted a Tiffany timepiece to the captain of the ship that rescued them, the jeweler has reclaimed it.
TechnologyDec 18, 2024
Picchiotti Utilizes AI in ‘Spotlight’ Video CampaignThe videos highlight how pieces from the “Xpandable” and “Reversible Xpandable” collections put the wearer in the spotlight.
IndependentsDec 18, 2024
Industry Veteran Steve Feldman Set to RetireFeldman reflected on 45 years in the jewelry industry and clarified that it’s not a total retirement.
SourcingDec 17, 2024
Frank Circelli, Founder of Gem Shopping Network, Dies at 75Circelli was a pioneer in the world of TV shopping who is remembered for his passion for gemstones and his big personality.
AuctionsDec 17, 2024
Blue Diamond Fetches $8.8M at Christie’sThe nearly 6-carat stone headlined the recent jewelry auction, which also featured Mica Ertegun’s jewelry.
CrimeDec 17, 2024
‘Black Bin Crew’ Robbers Get 14-16 Years in Prison The three men, who got their nickname because they’d toss the jewelry they stole into black plastic bins, were arrested back in August.
TrendsDec 16, 2024
Marion Fasel’s New Book Delves Into the History of Engagement Rings“The History of Diamond Engagement Rings: A True Romance” is a 128-page small-format book containing more than 165 images.
WatchesDec 16, 2024
Take a Look Inside the New Rolex Boutique on Rodeo DriveGearys opened a 6,200-square-foot Rolex store with a design that pays homage to the brand’s connection to the ocean.
GradingDec 16, 2024
GCAL By Sarine Expands 8X to 2 More Fancy Shapes The diamond cut grade is now available for marquise- and pear-shaped diamonds.
SourcingDec 16, 2024
Diamonds Do Good Announces 2025 Award RecipientsDDG said the honorees’ business practices embody a commitment to positive social impact, industry innovation, and community empowerment.
TrendsDec 13, 2024
Selena Gomez Said ‘Forever Begins Now’ to Marquise Diamond Engagement RingEstimates on the size and value of the solitaire diamond, which is mounted on a diamond pavé-set yellow gold band, vary.
TrendsDec 13, 2024
Piece of the Week: Martin Katz’s Tanzanite Drops These half-moon tanzanite earrings totaling 25 carats are part of a special trunk show taking place this weekend in Dallas.
Recorded WebinarsDec 13, 2024
Watch: The Highs and Lows of 2024The National Jeweler editors recap the top news, the best jewels, and their favorite stories of the year.
AuctionsDec 12, 2024
Tom Brady’s Watches Top $4M at Sotheby’s AuctionThe highest-grossing lot of the sale was the retired QB’s Rolex Paul Newman Daytona “John Player Special.”
SourcingDec 12, 2024
Grizzly Emerald Auction Garners $22.4MRecent expansion initiatives at the Zambian emerald mine have shown strong production numbers, said Grizzly founder Abdoulaye Ndiaye.
MajorsDec 12, 2024
Mark Henry Appoints New Director of SalesCarrie Forman joins the brand to guide it into the next phase of growth with major and independent retailers in the U.S. and abroad.
SourcingDec 12, 2024
De Beers Announces 2024 ‘Shining Light’ Award WinnersThe competition awarded 12 designers, each from a country where De Beers recovers diamonds, with business support and tuition assistance.
CollectionsDec 12, 2024
The Jared Atelier x Vera Wang Collection Emphasizes EleganceThe high jewelry collection features 14 one-of-a-kind pieces, with serpent and ribbon motifs winding their way through the collection.
