BaselWorld

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Watch and jewelery fair


The BASELWORLD is the largest and most important watch and jewelery fair in the world. It takes place each spring at Basel.

The fair carries the name BASELWORLD since 2003.

Swatch Group announced in 2018 that they would no longer attend Baselworld with any of their brands, and the show has been reduced by one day. In 2019 it was announced that SIHH and BaselWorld would be held in successive weeks in April.

History

The Basel Fair began in 1917 as the Schweizer Mustermesse Basel (MUBA), and included Swiss watch Manufacturers for the first time in 1925. In 1931, a dedicated pavilion was added for watches, known as the Schweizer Uhrenmesse.

In 1973, the first Europäische Uhren und Schmuckmesse (EUSM or "European Watch, Clock and Jewellery Fair") was held within the MUBA. This is usually considered to be the first in the series of Watch fairs in Basel, and future events were numbered from this year. The Mustermesse Basel changed its name to BASEL in 1983 and became an independent entity specifically focused on watches, clocks, and jewelry in 1994. In 1986, BASEL was opened to brands from outside Europe for the first time. The show was renamed Baselworld in 2003.

In 2020, before the global pandemic, many brands announced that they would no longer be involved in Baselworld. This was made worse as the show was postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic and ultimately cancelled. It was re-launched as a "year-round marketing and communications platform" but the in-person show was re-launched later that year as HourUniverse.

Swiss Industries Fair, Basel, 1931

April 11-21, 1931

The first Swiss Watch Fair was held in 1931 inside Hall 1 at the larger Swiss Industries Fair. 57 watch and clock companies exhibited that year.

Swiss Industries Fair, Basel, 1932

April 2-12, 1932

Although the industry was feeling the effects of the Great Depression, 61 companies participated in the second Swiss Watch Fair at Basel.

Swiss Industries Fair, Basel, 1933

March 25-April 4, 1933

51 watch companies exhibited at the Swiss Watch Fair in 1933.

Swiss Industries Fair, Basel, 1934

April 7-17, 1934

31 watch companies exhibited at the Swiss Watch Fair in 1934.

Swiss Industries Fair, Basel, 1935

March 30-April 9, 1935

31 watch, jewelry, and associated companies exhibited at the Swiss Watch Fair in 1935.

Swiss Industries Fair, Basel, 1936

April 18-28, 1936

32 watch, jewelry, and associated companies exhibited at the Swiss Watch Fair in 1936.

Swiss Industries Fair, Basel, 1937

April 3-13, 1937

41 watch companies associated companies exhibited at the Swiss Watch Fair in 1937.

Swiss Industries Fair, Basel, 1938

March 26-April 5, 1938

44 watch companies and 11 associated companies exhibited at the Swiss Watch Fair in 1938.

Swiss Industries Fair, Basel, 1939

March 18-28, 1939

48 watch companies and 9 associated companies exhibited at the Swiss Watch Fair in 1939.

Swiss Industries Fair, Basel, 1940

March 30-April 9, 1940

38 watch companies and 11 associated companies exhibited at the 10th Swiss Watch Fair in 1940.

Swiss Industries Fair, Basel, 1941

April 19-29, 1941

Just 39 companies exhibited at the Swiss Watch Fair in 1941, with most major watchmakers absent due to the war.

Swiss Industries Fair, Basel, 1942

April 18-28, 1942

65 watch companies and 19 associated companies participated in the 12th Swiss Watch Fair in 1942.

Swiss Industries Fair, Basel, 1943

May 1-11, 1943

71 watch companies and 24 associated companies exhibited at the 13th Swiss Watch Fair in 1943.

Swiss Industries Fair, Basel, 1944

April 22-May 2, 1944

81 watch companies and 23 associated companies exhibited at the 24th Swiss Watch Fair.

Swiss Industries Fair, Basel, 1945

April 14-24, 1945

Swiss Industries Fair, Basel, 1946

May 4-14, 1946

112 watch companies and 27 additional companies associated with the industry exhibited at the 26th Basel Watch Fair.

Swiss Industries Fair, Basel, 1947

April 12-22, 1947

As the Swiss industry rebounded from the war, 117 watch companies exhibited at the 27th Swiss Watch Fair, along with 37 associated companies.

Swiss Industries Fair, Basel, 1951

April 7-17, 1951

The 21st Swiss Watch Fair was the first with 150 exhibitors.

Swiss Industries Fair, Basel, 1952

Coverage of the 22nd Swiss Watch Fair tells us that it included a range of models, some with new complications for date, day, month, and moon phase, power reserve, alarm (no doubt a reference to the Vulcain Cricket), as well as automatic and waterproof models. Contemporary reports focused on Rolex and in particular the Oysterdate with date window at 3:00, as well as their ladies models.

Swiss Industries Fair, Basel, 1953

Swiss Industries Fair, Basel, 1954

149 makers of watches, clocks, and alarm timepieces exhibited in 1954. Also exhibiting were 7 horological press companies, 14 jewelry makers, 5 makers of watchmaking materials, 11 makers of watchmaking supplies, and 11 clock companies.

May 8-18, 1954

Swiss Industries Fair, Basel, 1955

April 16-26, 1955 152 makers of watches, clocks, and alarm timepieces exhibited in 1955. Also exhibiting were 7 horological press companies, 14 jewelry makers, 4 makers of watchmaking materials, 13 makers of watchmaking supplies, and 11 clock companies.

Swiss Industries Fair, Basel, 1956

April 14-24, 1956

157 makers of watches, clocks, and alarm timepieces exhibited in 1956. Also exhibiting were 8 horological press companies, 15 jewelry makers, 4 makers of watchmaking materials, 10 makers of watchmaking supplies, and 11 clock companies.

Swiss Industries Fair, Basel, 1957

April 27-May 7, 1957

158 makers of watches, clocks, and alarm timepieces exhibited in 1957. Also exhibiting were 8 horological press companies, 15 jewelry makers, 4 makers of watchmaking materials, 13 makers of watchmaking supplies, and 10 clock companies.

Swiss Industries Fair, Basel, 1958

April 12-22, 1958

157 makers of watches, clocks, and alarm timepieces exhibited in 1958. Also exhibiting were 8 horological press companies, 15 jewelry makers, 4 makers of watchmaking materials, 11 makers of watchmaking supplies, and 9 clock companies.

Swiss Industries Fair, Basel, 1959

April 11-21, 1959

157 makers of watches, clocks, and alarm timepieces exhibited in 1959. Also exhibiting were 7 horological press companies, 15 jewelry makers, 4 makers of watchmaking materials, 11 makers of watchmaking supplies, and 9 clock companies.

Swiss Industries Fair, Basel, 1960

April 23-May 3, 1960

158 makers of watches, clocks, and alarm timepieces exhibited in 1960. Also exhibiting were 6 horological press companies, 14 jewelry makers, 4 makers of watchmaking materials, 11 makers of watchmaking supplies, and 11 clock companies.

Swiss Industries Fair, Basel, 1961

April 15-25, 1961

160 makers of watches, clocks, and alarm timepieces exhibited in 1961. Also exhibiting were 5 horological press companies, 14 jewelry makers, 5 makers of watchmaking materials, 11 makers of watchmaking supplies, and 10 clock companies.

Swiss Watch Fair, Basel, 1962

March 31-April 10, 1962

156 makers of watches, clocks, and alarm timepieces exhibited in 1962. Also exhibiting were 5 horological press companies, 14 jewelry makers, 7 makers of watchmaking materials, 12 makers of watchmaking supplies, and 10 clock companies.

Swiss Watch Fair, Basel, 1963

April 20-30, 1963

177 makers of watches, clocks, and alarm timepieces exhibited in 1963. Also exhibiting were 1 horological press company, 12 jewelry makers, 12 makers of watchmaking materials, 17 makers of watchmaking supplies, and 11 clock companies.

Swiss Watch Fair, Basel, 1964

April 11-21, 1964

175 makers of watches, clocks, and alarm timepieces exhibited in 1964. Also exhibiting were 4 horological press companies, 11 jewelry makers, 9 makers of watchmaking tools and materials, 16 makers of watchmaking supplies, and 8 clock companies.

Swiss Watch Fair, Basel, 1965

April 24-May 4, 1965

174 makers of watches, clocks, and alarm timepieces exhibited in 1965. Also exhibiting were 4 horological press companies, 12 jewelry makers, 8 makers of watchmaking tools and materials, 15 makers of watchmaking supplies, and 11 clock companies.

Swiss Watch Fair, Basel, 1966

50th anniversary, April 16-26, 1966

184 makers of watches, clocks, and alarm timepieces exhibited in 1966. Also exhibiting were 5 horological press companies, 12 jewelry makers, 8 makers of watch accessories, 17 makers of miscellaneous watchmaking supplies, and 11 clock companies.

Swiss Watch Fair, Basel, 1967

April 15-25, 1967

181 makers of watches, clocks, and alarm timepieces exhibited in 1967. Also exhibiting were 5 horological press companies, 12 jewelry makers, 11 makers of watch accessories, 20 makers of miscellaneous watchmaking supplies, and 10 clock companies.

Swiss Watch Fair, Basel, 1968

April 20-30, 1968

177 makers of watches, clocks, and alarm timepieces exhibited in 1968. Also exhibiting were 5 horological press companies, 12 jewelry makers, 14 makers of watch accessories, 27 makers of miscellaneous watchmaking supplies, and 9 clock companies.

Basel Fair, 1969

April 12-22, 1969

215 makers of watches, clocks, and alarm timepieces exhibited in 1969. Also exhibiting were 5 horological press companies, 16 jewelry makers, 16 makers of watch accessories, 33 makers of miscellaneous watchmaking supplies, and 12 clock companies.

Basel Fair, 1970

April 11-21, 1970

242 makers of watches, clocks, and alarm timepieces exhibited in 1970. Also exhibiting were 8 horological press companies, 14 jewelry makers, 29 makers of watch accessories, 38 makers of miscellaneous watchmaking supplies, and 13 clock companies.

Swiss Watch Fair, 1971

April 7-17, 1971

232 makers of watches, clocks, and alarm timepieces exhibited in 1971. Also exhibiting were 9 horological press companies, 15 jewelry makers, 41 makers of watch accessories, 49 makers of miscellaneous watchmaking supplies, and 13 clock companies.

Swiss Watch Fair, 1972

April 15-25, 1972

This was the first year that other European watch companies attended the Basel Fair. It was well-attended by French and German watch companies in particular. This fair included mechanical digital watches, electric watches, tuning fork, and various types of quartz movements.

255 Swiss makers of watches, clocks, and alarm timepieces exhibited in 1972. Also exhibiting were 8 horological press companies, 15 jewelry makers, 25 makers of watch accessories, and 37 makers of miscellaneous watchmaking supplies.

European Watch, Clock and Jewellery Fair, 1973

April 7-17, 1973 The watch fair was officially separate from the rest of the Basel Fair. This is considered the first Basel Watch Fair.

267 Swiss makers of watches, clocks, and alarm timepieces exhibited in 1973. Additionally, 34 French, 49 German, 3 Italian, 11 British, and 4 Benelux watch makers exhibited.

European Watch, Clock and Jewellery Fair, 1974

March 30-April 8, 1974

245 Swiss makers of watches, clocks, and alarm timepieces exhibited in 1974. Additionally, 11 French, 67 German, 5 Italian, 5 Dutch, 2 British, 1 Belgian, and 1 Austrian watch makers exhibited.

European Watch, Clock and Jewellery Fair, 1975

April 12-21, 1975

249 Swiss makers of watches, clocks, and alarm timepieces exhibited in 1975. Additionally, 73 German, 5 Italian, 5 Dutch, 1 Belgian, and 1 Austrian watch makers exhibited. The Chambre Française de l'Horlogerie was represented by 34 watch companies, 6 "horologers", and 3 other members, while the British Clock & Watch Manufacturers' Association included 15 companies.

European Watch, Clock and Jewellery Fair, 1976

April 24-May 3, 1976

262 Swiss makers of watches exhibited in 1976. Additionally, 69 German, 48 French, 11 Italian, 8 British, 1 Dutch, 1 Belgian, and 1 Portuguese watch makers exhibited.

European Watch, Clock and Jewellery Fair, 1977

April 16-25, 1977

272 Swiss makers of watches exhibited in 1977. Additionally, 73 German, 43 French, 10 Italian, 3 British, and 1 Spanish watch makers exhibited.

European Watch, Clock and Jewellery Fair, 1978

April 15-24, 1978

280 Swiss makers of watches exhibited in 1978. Additionally, 70 German, 40 French, 6 Italian, 6 British, 1 Belgian, 1 Portuguese, and 2 Spanish watch makers exhibited.

European Watch, Clock and Jewellery Fair, 1979

April 21-May 1, 1979

293 Swiss makers of watches exhibited in 1979. Additionally, 65 German, 41 French, 7 Italian, 3 British, and 2 Spanish watch makers exhibited.

European Watch, Clock and Jewellery Fair, 1980

April 19-28, 1980

301 Swiss makers of watches exhibited in 1980. Additionally, 115 German, 48 French, 11 Italian, 17 British, 5 Dutch, 2 Austrian, and 1 Belgian watch makers exhibited.

European Watch, Clock and Jewellery Fair, 1981

April 25-May 4, 1981

European Watch, Clock and Jewellery Fair, 1982

April 17-26, 1982

European Watch, Clock and Jewellery Fair, 1983

April 16-25, 1983, the last time the Watch fair was held at the same time as the Swiss Industries Fair

European Watch, Clock and Jewellery Fair, 1984

April 5-12, 1984, the first time the Watch fair is held independently of the MUBA.

European Watch, Clock and Jewellery Fair, 1985

April 11-18, 1985

BASEL 86

April 17-24, 1986

  • Japanese companies are allowed for the first time, including Seiko

BASEL 87

April 23-30, 1987

BASEL 88

April 14-21, 1988

BASEL 89

April 12-19, 1989

BASEL 90

April 19-26, 1990

BASEL 91

April 18-25, 1991

BASEL 92

April 4-11, 1992

BASEL 93

April 22-29, 1993

This was the first year that the new SIHH, just three years old, would attract major brands like Cartier, Piaget, Baume & Mercier, Yves Saint-Laurent, Gerald Genta, and Frank Muller to Geneva. Omega returned to Basel to occupy the space left vacant.

BASEL 94

April 14-21, 1994

BASEL 95

April 26-May 3, 1995

BASEL 96

April 18-25, 1996

BASEL 97

Press conference April 9, Public opening April 10-17, 1997

BASEL 98

Press day, April 21, Public opening, April 22-29, 1998

BASEL 1999

April 29-May 6, 1999

Basel Fair 2000

March 23-30, 2000

Basel Fair 2001

March 24-31, 2001

Basel Fair 2002

April 4-11, 2002

Baselworld 2003

April 3-10, 2003

This edition of BaselWorld proved controversial, as watchmakers from Asia (primarily Hong Kong, but also China, Singapore, and Vietnam_ were relocated to Zurich and thus largely overlooked. The decision was reversed the next year after the threat of a major lawsuit. The fair also suffered due to the SARS epidemic.

Baselworld 2004

April 15-22, 2004

This was the year of tourbillons, including multi-tourbillon models from Greubel Forsey, Hysek, and Thomas Prescher as well as single tourbillon s from Blancpain, Bulgari, Gérald Charles (with Antoine Preziuso), IWC, Jaquet Droz, Movado, Parmigiani Fleurier, Piaget, and Zenith.

Baselworld 2005

March 31-April 7, 2005

Baselworld 2006

March 30-April 6, 2006

Baselworld 2007

April 12-19, 2007

Baselworld 2008

April 3-10, 2008

Baselworld 2009

March 26-April 2, 2009

Baselworld 2010

March 18-25, 2010

Baselworld 2011

March 24-31, 2011

Baselworld 2012

March 8-15, 2012

Baselworld 2013

April 25-May 2, 2013

Baselworld 2014

March 27-April 3, 2014

Baselworld 2015

March 19-26, 2015

Baselworld 2016

March 17-24, 2016

Notable introductions at Baselworld 2016 include the following:

Baselworld 2017

March 23-30, 2017

Notable introductions at Baselworld 2017 include the following:

Baselworld 2018

March 22-27, 2018

Notable introductions at Baselworld 2018 include the following:

Baselworld 2019

March 21-26, 2019

Notable introductions at Baselworld 2019 include the following:

Watches and Wonders 2021

The re-launched show, now called Watches and Wonders, was held online and in Geneva and Shanghai on April 7-12, 2021.

Important introductions:

Weblinks

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