SurveysOct 28, 2026
Consumer Confidence Up in October as Gas Prices EaseConsumer confidence remains on the long-term downward trend that’s persisted over the past few years, said a Conference Board economist.
Events & AwardsMar 01, 2019
30 Restaurants Agree Not to Raise Prices During Baselworld
Organizers of the watch and jewelry trade show also have a deal with a few bars.
Baselworld organizers have announced a restaurant and bar partner program, featuring a number of establishments located close to the show that have vowed to keep prices down. Pictured here is a shot outside the 2018 edition of the jewelry trade show.
Basel, Switzerland—Baselworld has launched another initiative it hopes will bring people back to the watch and jewelry trade show.
Show organizers announced earlier this week that they have partnered with a handful of local restaurants that, among other things, have agreed not to raise their menu prices during the show.
Baselworld has been struggling in recent years, losing exhibitors and attendees over the rising cost of exhibiting as well as the costs involved in staying and eating in the small Swiss city.
One major exhibitor, Swatch Group, announced last summer that it would not be returning to the watch and jewelry trade show in 2019, stating that the current trade show model no longer makes sense for business as it today.
After that news broke, show organizers scrambled to put together a detailed list of planned changes designed to woo back brands and buyers alike and to prove to its largest exhibitor that it is willing to change.
In November, Baselworld launched a hotel partner program, in which more than 40 hotels agreed to a set of rules regarding prices and minimum stays.
Now, organizers of the watch and jewelry trade show have announced the expansion of the hospitality program to include restaurants, bar and clubs.
More than 30 restaurants around the Swiss city have agreed to not raise prices during the Baselworld period. They are all restaurants that are located less than 10 minutes away from the show and can offer seating for more than 30 guests.
RELATED CONTENT: Baselworld, SIHH to Synchronize Dates in 2020Additionally, the restaurants will offer a special Baselworld menu.
Baselworld Hospitality Manager Justin Scott told National Jeweler they encouraged the restaurants to “get creative” in developing a menu. He said this menu will be separate from their regular offerings but added that there are no restrictions on what they can do with it—it could be a cheaper meal or a specialty of that restaurant.
Partner restaurants include Côte Jardin, Restaurant Hahn Basel, Spale Bar, Vapiano, 800° Premium Steakhouse and more. The full list can be found on Baselworld.com.
In addition to the restaurants, three bars and clubs also have become Baselworld partners: Acqua, Soho and Singer, the latter of which will open a pop-up restaurant on its second floor specially for Baselworld visitors.
All three are located on the route from the Exhibition Square into the city.
“We know that gastronomy
in the city plays an important role in the evaluation of our visitors’ sojourn during the show,” Baselworld Managing Director Michel Loris-Melikoff said. “In this area, there was repeated criticism, especially that prices were too high at the time of the show or that the cost/benefit ratio was not appropriate. Together with our partners, we are now demonstrating that there are many positive alternatives in Basel, because we only recommend restaurants that offer our guests demonstrably fair prices and a culinary standard commensurate with Baselworld.”
In other company news, Baselworld operator MCH Group has appointed Bernd Stadlwieser as CEO.
He succeeds Hans-Kristian Hoejsgaard, who has been in the interim CEO position since September 2018, a role he took after René Kamm left the company in August after news broke that Swatch Group was pulling out of Baselworld.
Stadlwieser has more than 20 years’ experience in the watch, jewelry and arts sector as well as business development and digitization, having held positions at Swarovski, the Thomas Sabo group, photography company Avenso and Mondaine watches.
In other company news, Baselworld operator MCH Group has appointed Bernd Stadlwieser as CEO.
He succeeds Hans-Kristian Hoejsgaard, who has been in the interim CEO position since September 2018, a role he took after René Kamm left the company in August after news broke that Swatch Group was pulling out of Baselworld.
Stadlwieser has more than 20 years’ experience in the watch, jewelry and arts sector as well as business development and digitization, having held positions at Swarovski, the Thomas Sabo group, photography company Avenso and Mondaine watches.
More on Events & Awards
The Latest
MajorsOct 28, 2026
Stuller’s Holiday Campaign Lets the ‘Magic of the Moment’ ShineThe holiday campaign includes key jewelry trends, a curated holiday gift guide, and resources to help jewelers prepare for holiday shoppers.
SourcingOct 27, 2026
De Beers Celebrates the Holidays With New ‘Desert Diamonds’ CampaignThe “Icons” holiday campaign spotlights four classic diamond jewelry styles reimagined in “Desert Diamond” tones.
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.
IndependentsOct 27, 2026
Solomon Brothers Acquires Mervis Diamond ImportersSolomon Brothers, which has three stores in the Metro Atlanta area, said it may continue to acquire other independent jewelers.
Weekly QuizOct 22, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
IndependentsOct 27, 2026
Gabriel & Co. Supports Charity Partner DKMS With Gala, New JewelsThe fine jewelry brand raised $2.3 million at its annual gala that supports the nonprofit’s fight against blood cancer and blood disorders.
CollectionsOct 26, 2026
Bliss Lau’s ‘Vantage’ Point Is the Hawaiian HorizonIn her “Vantage” collection, Lau explores heritage, identity, and inner strength through designs featuring blue-green Guatemalan jade.
Brought to you by
Open an Account, Get $50 Off Your First Order. No Code Needed.Built on Relationships. Refined by Craft.
MajorsOct 26, 2026
Tiffany & Co. Takes Consumers Behind the ScenesThe jeweler gave the public backstage tours of its flagship store and its design and innovation workshop as part of LVMH’s open house.
MajorsOct 23, 2026
PGI USA Set to Close at Year’s EndThe closure is part of a global restructuring that also includes PGI winding down its operations in Japan, South Korea, and Hong Kong.
SourcingOct 23, 2026
Rachel Chalchinsky’s ‘Survivor Tribute’ RingThe ring, our Piece of the Week, was designed by eight-year breast cancer survivor Rachel Chalchinsky of Color Source Gems.
TechnologyOct 23, 2026
JA Unveils New Website, LogoThe website offers enhanced member benefit access, industry directories, educational resources, a job board, and access to the MJSA Journal.
FinancialsOct 23, 2026
Kering’s Jewelry Sales Up Double Digits in Q3Boucheron and Pomellato had a strong third quarter, with Kering looking at jewelry as an increasingly important part of its portfolio.
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.
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.
Events & AwardsOct 22, 2026
JIS Fall 2026 Reports Record-Breaking Attendance The number of participants at the fall show was up 12 percent.
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.
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.
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.
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.
