CrimeOct 22, 2026
Jeweler Shot and Killed in His Suburban Cincinnati Store Tara Sinchuri was the owner of Everest Jewels in Fairfield, Ohio, and a father of three. He was found dead in his store on Tuesday.
Events & AwardsSep 28, 2018
Richard Mille, Audemars Pulling Out of SIHH
The watch brands won’t return to the fair after 2019.
The new RM 25-01 Tourbillon Adventure Sylvester Stallone, a Richard Mille watch developed in collaboration with the action star. The Swiss watch brand said this week it won’t return to the SIHH fair in Geneva after 2019, citing a shift in its distribution model. (Photo credit: Richard Mille Facebook page)
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.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
The announcements are blows to the organizers behind both trade shows. And while presented differently, the reasons underlying them are the same: trade shows need to change in order to remain relevant, something both Baselworld and SIHH have acknowledged.
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.
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.
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.
More on Events & Awards
The Latest
MajorsOct 22, 2026
Neiman Marcus Has Gifts for the Jewelry Lover Who Has EverythingBespoke experiences from Buccellati and Verdura are on the retailer’s 2026 “Fantasy Gifts” list.
CollectionsOct 22, 2026
Billie Eilish, Finneas Co-Design Collection for John HardyThe Academy and Grammy award-winning siblings have collaborated with John Hardy on a new jewelry line inspired by their personal style.
Brought to you by
A Diamond Is Forever Launches 2026 Holiday Campaign Championing Natural DiamondsA Diamond Is Forever's holiday campaign reimagines natural diamond icons for a new generation celebrating individuality.
PodcastsOct 21, 2026
Episode 10: This Episode Is Haunted Diana Singer shared the stories of two “cursed” diamonds on this month’s podcast, which was inexplicably riddled with technical issues.
Weekly QuizOct 15, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
IndependentsOct 21, 2026
Gardner-Collier Jewelry to Close After 9 Decades in BusinessThe family-owned jeweler has three locations across Missouri and Iowa.
SourcingOct 21, 2026
Venetia Mines Final Carats Ahead of 2-Year ShutdownThe De Beers-owned diamond mine in South Africa is being put on ice as part of a round of previously announced cost-cutting measures.
Brought to you by
Open an Account, Get $50 Off Your First Order. No Code Needed.Built on Relationships. Refined by Craft.
CollectionsOct 21, 2026
Helzberg, Nordstrom Carrying New Jewelry Collection From Off-WhiteThe collection centers designs with clean geometric lines, chunky sculptural pieces, and recognizable details from the luxury fashion brand.
SourcingOct 21, 2026
Gemfields’ Mixed-Quality Ruby Auction Earns $52MThe miner said it saw particularly strong prices for larger, fine-quality rubies at the sale.
CrimeOct 20, 2026
Security Guard Charged With Murder in Shooting at Texas MallThe guard opened fire on a man who was smashing a jewelry display case at La Gran Plaza in Fort Worth last week, police said.
IndependentsOct 20, 2026
David Gardner’s Jewelers Unveils Newly Expanded, Revamped ShowroomThe Texas jeweler added 2,000 square feet to its reimagined showroom, complete with a new design studio and an event space.
SourcingOct 20, 2026
The $50M Victoria’s Secret ‘Fantasy Bra’ By The NumbersJacob & Co.'s diamond masterpiece is the most expensive Fantasy Bra ever worn on the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show runway.
CollectionsOct 20, 2026
Mignon Faget’s Collection Chooses Handmade Over AIThe “Atelier” collection was inspired by the tools, rituals, and objects in an artist’s studio as a quiet rebuttal to an automated world.
MajorsOct 19, 2026
The Knot to Acquire Rival Wedding Planning Platform ZolaThe pending acquisition is an “exciting opportunity” for wedding vendors to grow their business, said The Knot Worldwide’s CEO.
SourcingOct 19, 2026
Jewelry Design Competition Show Airs in Thailand"The Secret Gems" features eight Thai jewelry brands paired with a team of young craftspeople who create jewelry together to win challenges.
CollectionsOct 19, 2026
John Hardy Enters the Medallion Chat With Talisman Collection The brand’s “Modern Talisman” capsule collection introduces pendants inspired by the mythology, natural world, and spiritual ethos of Bali.
IndependentsOct 19, 2026
The Stories of 5 Jewelers Celebrating Their Centennials in 2026Independent jewelers from New Mexico to New Jersey answer the question: What has kept your store in business for 100 years?
SurveysOct 16, 2026
How Inflation, Gas Prices Will Affect Holiday Sales The NRF is expecting holiday sales to increase this year, but consumers and retailers alike are facing Grinch-like headwinds.
CollectionsOct 16, 2026
Christina Puchi’s Earrings Hold the UniverseOur Piece of the Week gathers the planets, represented by a variety of colored gemstones, in a pair of 14-karat yellow gold earrings.
IndependentsOct 16, 2026
Reeds Jewelers Expands, Relocates FlagshipThe New York-based jeweler is moving its Amherst flagship store to a larger location in nearby Snyder.
MajorsOct 16, 2026
Katy Chen Appointed Executive Vice President of Graff USA Chen, who worked at Cartier and Tiffany & Co., will lead retail sales and operations for the luxury jeweler’s 11 U.S. stores.
IndependentsOct 15, 2026
Retailer Hall of Fame 2026: Amy and Elise Greenberg For 40 years, sisters Amy and Elise Greenberg have helmed their 126-year-old family business, leading with appreciation and integrity.
ColumnistsOct 15, 2026
Peter Smith: What Is the Culture REP?It’s a term Smith coined and felt compelled to share following a bad experience with an aborted flight and an unfeeling flight attendant.
WatchesOct 15, 2026
Stephanie Gottlieb’s New Movado Watches Are Made for Your Wrist StackMovado teamed up with the New York-based fine jewelry designer on a new collection of Movado Museum Velura watches.
SourcingOct 15, 2026
Signet Jewelers, Richemont May Join Bidder for De Beers, Report SaysThe two companies are reportedly in talks to join the Global Diamond Consortium, led by former De Beers CEO Gareth Penny, as per Bloomberg.
CollectionsOct 15, 2026
Wolf x Marla Aaron's New Jewelry Box Is for Some (Not All) of Your ThingsThe “Some of the Things” box follows the two larger “Everything” box designs with the look and function of antique sewing and toolboxes.
