Story Highlight
– Baselworld may return after seven years of absence.
– MCH Group and Informa Markets to announce new event.
– New platform aims to connect Asia and Europe.
– Watches and Wonders dominates current watch and jewellery shows.
– Swatch Group’s participation crucial for new Basel event.
Full Story
A significant development is underway in the world of horology, with indications that an event reminiscent of Baselworld may make a comeback after a seven-year hiatus. The pandemic brought about the downturn of Baselworld due to operational mismanagement, but interest in reviving the event has emerged.
MCH Group, the organisation behind Baselworld, along with Informa Markets, a UK-based global events firm, has issued invitations for a press conference. This event promises to introduce “a new platform designed to connect Asia and Europe, aligned with the realities of today’s jewellery, gems and watches industries.”
Set in Hall 1.0 of Messe Basel, the same venue that previously hosted Baselworld, this location is fondly remembered by attendees for its grandeur, showcasing esteemed brands such as Rolex, Patek Philippe, TAG Heuer, Omega, Chanel, Bulgari, and Breitling.
The original Baselworld saw its downfall in 2020 when the pandemic forced its postponement in March. A series of missteps in compensating exhibitors hastened its decline, leading major watchmakers like Swatch Group, Breitling, Rolex, and Patek Philippe to seek alternatives such as the SIHH in Geneva, which has since evolved into Watches and Wonders.
Attempts to launch an alternative event, HourUniverse, by MCH Group in 2021 were thwarted by continued restrictions from the pandemic. However, the current outlook for the event landscape has changed considerably over the past five years.
Watches and Wonders has established itself as a key annual highlight for promoting the Swiss watch industry globally, with numerous satellite events like Time to Watches and Chronopolis complementing it. In April, Watches and Wonders hosted around 65 brands, while approximately 150 other exhibitors participated throughout the city, including 50 at Haute Jewels Geneva, making it an incredibly vibrant week for industry stakeholders and enthusiasts.
This crowded marketplace likely fueled the belief that a new watch and jewellery exhibition could thrive. Nostalgia for Baselworld persists among many, with fond memories of its unique atmosphere and the community forged in nearby pubs where significant business discussions took place.
Despite its peak valuation of over CHF 2 billion in 2017, MCH Group has seen its worth drop to around CHF 150 million. Informa Markets, with a market capitalisation of £10.7 billion and a global workforce exceeding 14,000, brings extensive resources to the collaboration, aiming to enhance the event’s reach.
For the new show to gain traction, an anchor tenant is essential. The clear candidate for this role could be Swatch Group, which opted out of Baselworld in 2018, citing escalating costs and diminished influence at the event. CEO Nick Hayek has consistently expressed skepticism about large exhibitions, opting out of Watches and Wonders as well.
However, the proximity of Basel to Swatch Group’s headquarters offers a unique advantage. It raises interesting prospects regarding whether Swatch Group will consider uniting its prominent brands—such as Omega, Longines, and others—to support a revived Basel event.
Among others, brands like Breitling could also play a pivotal role in any new initiative, but discussions remain speculative until the upcoming press conference on Thursday.
As anticipation builds, the potential revival of a Basel event offers a tantalising glimpse into the future of the watch and jewellery industry in Switzerland.
