AuctionsJun 09, 2025
Nancy Astor’s Cartier Tiara Sells for $1.2MThe rare turquoise and diamond jewel was the top lot at Bonhams’ June jewelry sale.
Events & AwardsApr 17, 2019
Baselworld 2020: Breitling Exits, Rolex Expands
Breitling is focusing on a company-organized summit for retailers, customers and media instead of exhibiting at the watch and jewelry trade show.
Breitling announced Monday that it won’t exhibit at Baselworld next year, focusing instead on a company-organized summit for retailers, customers and media. Pictured here is one of the watches the Swiss brand introduced before Basel this year, the Navitimer 1 B01 Chronograph Pan Am Edition.
Basel, Switzerland—Breitling announced Monday that it won’t return to Baselworld next year, making it the first—but possibly not last—big brand to back out of the show.
The watch and jewelry trade show traditionally has taken place in mid- to late March, but Baselworld 2020 is scheduled for April 30-May 5, immediately following SIHH in Geneva (April 26-29).
The shows agreed to synch their dates so retailers and the media, particularly from the United States and Asia, don’t have to travel to Switzerland twice in a few weeks’ span.
Breitling said Sunday that although it had a successful show this year, the 2020 dates don’t work for it.
So instead of exhibiting at Baselworld, where the brand’s massive fish tank was once the Instagram-ready centerpiece of Hall 1.0, the Swiss watch brand will invite retailers, media, customers and collectors to the second Breitling Summit.
The first summit took place in London in October 2018 to introduce the Premier collection. The brand hasn’t confirmed the dates for the second edition, a spokeswoman said Tuesday.
See: 4 New Watches Breitling Introduced at Baselworld 2019
Breitling created the Navitimer Ref. 806 1959 Re-Edition in conjunction with brand enthusiast and vintage watch fan @watchfred. The 30mm 1950s-style reboot is powered by the Caliber B09 movement with a 70-hour power reserve ($8,600, limited to 1,959 pieces). As in the original, the watch has a close caseback, acrylic instead of sapphire glass, and 94 beads on the bezel.
The Navitimer 1 B01 Chronograph Pan Am Edition is powered by the brand’s in-house Caliber 01 movement, which has a 70-hour power reserve. It was the second watch released in Breitling’s Navitimer 1 Airline Editions capsule collection.
Breitling revamped its Superocean Collection of dive watches this year, creating five sizes ranging from 48-36 mm. They are all COSC-certified and powered by the Breitling Caliber 17, which has a 38-hour power reserve. Pictured here is the Superocean Automatic 42, which is available in black, white or orange.
The three new Aviator 8 Curtiss Warhawk watches honor American aircraft manufacturer Curtiss-Wright and its most famous plane, the P-40 Warhawk, which was produced between ’38 and ‘44. There are two chronographs, both powered by the Caliber 01 movement with a 70-hour power reserve, and a three-hand model (pictured here). Retail prices range from $4,230 to $8,180.
“We decided to focus on our global Summit format in 2020 and the subsequent local road shows,” CEO Georges Kern said in a company statement. “The decisive factor is first and foremost the new Baselworld date at the end of April, which cannot be reconciled with our planning.”
He said the company will decide later if it will return to the watch and jewelry trade show in 2021.
Breitling’s decision to leave Baselworld in favor of focusing on its own event underscores one of the major hurdles business-to-business trade shows face today: getting exhibitors to see the value in spending money on a trade show when technology has made it easier for them to organize their own events and reach customers with new product year-round.
Oris introduced a new Big Crown Pointer date in November, then followed up with the release of more new timepieces during a pre-Basel press trip to Vail, Colorado in January.
That same month, Breitling debuted its first capsule collection.
The Navitimer 1 Airline Editions is a series of three ‘60s- and ’70-style aviation watches that pay homage to three airlines from that era: Swissair, Pan Am and TWA.
Available beginning this month at Breitling boutiques and select retailers, the capsule collection watches are available in limited quantities for a limited period of time, mirroring what
fashion brands such as Supreme do through their “drops” to drive demand.
They are priced between $8,000 and $9,000.
While Breitling won’t be at Baselworld 2020, show organizers said Monday that Rolex is staying and will be expanding into the space where sister brand Tudor was this year.
Tudor will have its own booth in Hall 1.0.
On Tuesday afternoon, National Jeweler reached out to other Baselworld exhibitors to ask about their plans for 2020: Patek Philippe, LVMH-owned brands TAG Heuer and Bulgari, Roberto Coin and Citizen, which also owns Frederique Constant, Alpina and Bulova.
Patek Philippe was the only brand to respond by deadline, stating: “As in previous years, Baselworld 2019 was a real success for Patek regarding the attendance not only in terms of quantity but also quality.
“We believe Baselworld remains a platform to meet our partners/retailers and journalists from all around the world. We hope the fair will continue to develop in the future.”
They are priced between $8,000 and $9,000.
While Breitling won’t be at Baselworld 2020, show organizers said Monday that Rolex is staying and will be expanding into the space where sister brand Tudor was this year.
Tudor will have its own booth in Hall 1.0.
On Tuesday afternoon, National Jeweler reached out to other Baselworld exhibitors to ask about their plans for 2020: Patek Philippe, LVMH-owned brands TAG Heuer and Bulgari, Roberto Coin and Citizen, which also owns Frederique Constant, Alpina and Bulova.
Patek Philippe was the only brand to respond by deadline, stating: “As in previous years, Baselworld 2019 was a real success for Patek regarding the attendance not only in terms of quantity but also quality.
“We believe Baselworld remains a platform to meet our partners/retailers and journalists from all around the world. We hope the fair will continue to develop in the future.”
More on Events & Awards
The Latest
Events & AwardsJun 09, 2025
CASE Awards Now Accepting Entries For 2025The deadline to submit is June 16.
MajorsJun 09, 2025
RDI Diamonds Partners With LavalierThe diamond wholesaler is working with the insurance provider to seamlessly offer personal jewelry insurance to RDI retailers’ clients.
Brought to you by
Jewelers of America is Headed to Las Vegas for JCK 2025The countdown is on for the JCK Las Vegas Show and JA is pulling out all the stops.
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.
Weekly QuizJun 05, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Events & AwardsJun 05, 2025
The 12 Fresh Faces in Couture’s Design AtelierDiscover the dozen up-and-coming brands exhibiting in the Design Atelier for the first time.
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.
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.
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.
MajorsJun 05, 2025
Platinum Guild International Updates Leadership TeamTwo existing executives have been given new roles.
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.”
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.
