As an homage to iconic crochet blankets, the necklace features the nostalgic motif through a kaleidoscope of cabochon-cut stones.
Richard Mille, Audemars Pulling Out of SIHH
The watch brands won’t return to the fair after 2019.

Geneva—Two important independent watch brands won’t be returning to the SIHH fair in Geneva, Switzerland, in 2020.
Richard Mille and Audemars Piguet, a founding member of the Fondation de la Haute Horlogerie (FHH), both announced this week that 2019 will be their final year exhibiting at the trade show.
Both cited changing distribution models as the key driver behind their decisions, and on Thursday, SIHH responded with a statement acknowledging the brands’ departure as well as the need for the trade show to evolve.
“The Exhibitors’ Committee, with the support of the FHH’s board, confirms its intention to pursue the SIHH’s core purpose, which now extends beyond a trade salon with a distribution focus to encompass a true culture and experience-led communications platform for all professionals and end customers of [high-end watches].”
Richard Mille shared its SIHH announcement via social media, stating it has “drastically reduced” its representation through multi-brand retailers over the past few years and opened more of its own boutiques.
This shift in distribution makes trade shows like SIHH—where brands pay thousands to show their latest releases to watch-carrying retailers—obsolete and unnecessary for brands like Richard Mille.
“It is with deep regret that we are announcing our withdrawal from the Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie (SIHH) following the 2019 edition,” the watchmaker’s statement reads. “The team working alongside Fabienne Lupo at the Fondation de la Haute Horlogerie have made it a genuine pleasure for all at Richard Mille … at the prestigious SIHH fair over the years.”
Audemars CEO François-Henry Bennahmias gave many of the same reasons for the Royal Oak maker’s decision to leave the trade show, telling Swiss magazine Le Temps that the brand wants to focus “100 percent” on the end consumer and, like Richard Mille, is cutting back on the number of multi-brand stores that carry its high-end watches. (The link provided here is to an English language version of the article that was translated from the original French.)
Earlier this month, Bennahmias told Reuters that Audemars is looking to cut out multi-brand retailers completely within three to five years.
The exit of Audemars Piguet and Richard Mille from SIHH follows the bombshell announcement that Swatch Group will not exhibit at Baselworld next year.
After getting publicly blasted by Swatch Group CEO Nick Hayek for being arrogant and not nimble enough, Baselworld has said it is working to make the show more experience-oriented.
Outside of the exhibit halls, organizers are collaborating with local hotels and restaurants, which typically gouge visitors during the show, to keep prices down. The Swatch chief has indicated his company will consider returning to the watch and jewelry trade show, as long as organizers make the necessary changes.
RELATED CONTENT: What Is the Future of Jewelry Trade Shows?Audemars Piguet and Richard Mille, meanwhile, did not indicate any plans to return to the trade fair, as both companies are gravitating away from a third-party distribution model.
But SIHH, like Basel, said it plans to make changes by “building on and extending new services, new experiences and expert content tailored to all audiences in the Haute Horlogerie community, who regard the salon as a must-attend event.”
Started in 1991 by a group of five brands that defected from Baselworld, SIHH was created as a smaller, more exclusive answer to the behemoth in Basel. It takes place at the start of the year and features a select group of watch brands (35 is the current count) and no jewelry.
The 2019 edition of SIHH is scheduled for Jan. 14 to 17 at Palexpo in Geneva.
The Latest

The “Royal Ruby” Collection is a quintet of untreated rubies curated by collector Jack Abraham.

The entrepreneur and “Shark Tank” star will share his top tips for success.

When investing in your jewelry business, it's important not to overlook the most crucial element of success: the sales associates.

Two existing executives have been given new roles.


Meredith Tiderington, an electrical engineering student, was selected for the award.

It will quit assigning the stones specific color and clarity grades in favor of applying “new descriptive terminology.”

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.

From design trends to sustainability, here’s a roundup of can’t-miss education sessions at JCK Las Vegas.

The Jewelers’ Security Alliance offers advice for those attending the annual trade shows.

Her new role is director of strategic initiatives.

The designer is embracing bold pieces with weight to them in “AU79,” a collection she celebrated with a creative launch party.

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.

The index partially rebounded after months of decline, due in part to the U.S.-China deal to temporarily reduce import tariffs.

The actress stars in the latest campaign set in Venice, Italy, and is set to participate in other creative initiatives for the jeweler.

The company has joined other labs, including GIA and Lotus Gemology, in adopting the Chinese term for "jadeite jade."

The 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.

Located in Bangkok, the laboratory is Gemological Science International’s 14th location worldwide.

Those born in June have a myriad of options for their birthstone jewelry.

The diamond industry veteran has been named its senior sales executive.

The company plans to raise the prices of select watches to offset the impact of tariffs.

Between tariffs and the sky-high cost of gold, designers enter this year’s Las Vegas shows with a lot of questions and few answers.

Designed by founder Renato and his daughter Serena Cipullo, it showcases a flame motif representing unity and the power of gathering.

However, the tariffs remain in effect in the short term, as an appeals court has stayed the U.S. Court of International Trade’s decision.

The pop icon is one step closer to launching her “B Tiny” jewelry collection, a collection she first began posting about last fall.

Sponsored by Stuller

It was featured in the miner’s latest sale, which brought in $24.8 million.