Leaving Baselworld: A Look at the Remnants of the Longest Running International Watch and Jewelry Fair
Baselworld: The Fall of the World's Premier Watch Fair
Reminiscing about my initial visit to Baselworld, the largest and oldest international watch and jewelry fair, in 2002 leaves a lasting impression. I was unfamiliar with the grandeur that awaited me, a young journalism enthusiast stepping into vast exhibition halls filled with multi-story buildings, each housing a unique brand showcase. The experience was akin to my teenage encounter with skyscrapers in New York, a feeling of being in an extraordinary realm.
For many years, Baselworld catered to an array of sectors, from high-end brands to those targeting the mass market, and was a must-attend event for industry players. Its peak came in 2013, upon the opening of a massive new exhibition space in Messeplatz, costing over 400 million Swiss francs and hosting more than 150,000 visitors and 1,500 exhibitors.
However, the fair's dwindling fortunes began in 2015. Attendee numbers started to dwindle, and some brands decided to withdraw. High costs and increased expenses, such as food and lodging for traveling personnel in an expensive city with limited accommodations, were frequently cited. Despite constant withdrawals, the consensus was that Basel remained the center of the watchmaking sector.
Until 2018, when Swatch Group, the industry's largest player, announced its decision to cease participation, citing the exhibition format as outdated. The absence of brands like Omega, Tissot, and Longines had a significant visual and financial impact, as Swatch Group occupied a significant space in the main hall.
In 2020, Baselworld was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic and has not resumed its previous format since. The focus has now shifted to Watches and Wonders, another major event held in Geneva, which features most of the world's prominent luxury watch brands. As a result, Baselworld's former status as the industry's premier event has been largely vacated[1][2].
In light of these events, the future of Baselworld remains uncertain. Future plans for its return or resurrection have not been disclosed, while Watches and Wonders continues to be the hub for watch aficionados and industry professionals.
- With the rise of environmental consciousness in the fashion-and-beauty, food-and-drink, home-and-garden, and travel sectors, many are questioning the sustainability of events like Baselworld.
- As Baselworld's former status as the premier watch fair has been largely vacated, an opportunity arises for eco-friendly lifestyle events to cater to the growing number of environmentally-conscious individuals.
- In the shifting landscape of international exhibitions, it is essential for the environmental lifestyle movement to establish a prominent platform similar to Baselworld, showcasing eco-friendly products and innovations in fashion, food, home, and travel.
