Baselworld
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, 1952
- Rolex Oysterdate
- Rolex Oyster Perpetual redesign
Swiss Industries Fair, Basel, 1953
Swiss Industries Fair, Basel, 1954
May 8-18, 1954
Swiss Industries Fair, Basel, 1955
April 16-26, 1955
Swiss Industries Fair, Basel, 1956
April 14-24, 1956
Swiss Industries Fair, Basel, 1957
April 27-May 7, 1957
Swiss Industries Fair, Basel, 1958
April 12-22, 1958
- Universal Geneve shows their revolutionary microrotor automatic
- Rado introduces the rotating anchor logo for their automatic watches
- Ernest Borel Flash with electric illumination
Swiss Industries Fair, Basel, 1959
April 11-21, 1959
- Breitling Transocean
- Blancpain Cyclotron 53 jewel automatic
- Marvin Motorist
- Revue Thommen Ultra-Thin
- Sandoz Cal. 333 peripheral automatic movement
- Universal Geneve Polerouter Jet
Swiss Industries Fair, Basel, 1960
April 23-May 3, 1960
- Buren Super Slender Automatic with quick date change
- Gruen Power-Glide transmission
- Piaget ultra-thin automatic, Ref. 12444, 2.3 mm
- Rolex Day-Date
- Rolex Submariner Bathyscaph Trieste
Swiss Industries Fair, Basel, 1961
April 15-25, 1961
- Bulova Accutron preview
- Longines Cal. 400, the first electromechanical watch movement
- Universal Geneve Polerouter Sub
- Vulcain Cricket Nautical
Swiss Watch Fair, Basel, 1962
March 31-April 10, 1962
Swiss Watch Fair, Basel, 1963
April 20-30, 1963
- Leonidas Pilot Chronograph, Ref. 1550
- Universal Geneve Altesse/Avanti ultra-thin
Swiss Watch Fair, Basel, 1964
April 11-21, 1964
Swiss Watch Fair, Basel, 1965
April 24-May 4, 1965
- Audemars Piguet Cal. 2003
- Baume & Mercier ultra-thin (second only to Piaget)
- Buren Intramatic extra-thin movement
- Jaquet-Girard Electric watch
- Nivada Chronomaster and Dephtomatic
- Lip Electronic
- Mido Ocean Star lungless
- Octo Skynavy compass watch
- Movado Kingmatic with automatic movement with crown quickset
Swiss Watch Fair, Basel, 1966
50th anniversary, April 16-26, 1966
- Universal Geneve Golden Shadow 4.0 mm, with thinnest automatic, 2.5 mm
- Girard-Perregaux 36,000 A/h Clinergic 21 movement
Swiss Watch Fair, Basel, 1967
April 15-25, 1967
Swiss Watch Fair, Basel, 1968
April 20-30, 1968
Basel Fair, 1969
April 12-22, 1969
Basel Fair, 1970
April 11-21, 1970
- Beta 21 quartz watches
- Girard-Perregaux Giromatic
- Girard-Perregaux Elcron Quartz
- Omega Megaquartz
Swiss Watch Fair, 1971
April 7-17, 1971
- Nepro Zanzara 3 watch with electric buzzer
- Omega quartz
- Omega Memomatic
- Patek Philippe quartz
- Vulcain Open heart models
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.
- Audemars Piguet Royal Oak debut
- Astrolon, world's first movement made of synthetic material
- Ditronic LCD watch
- Longines/Ebauches SA LCD watch
- Nepro automatic Memotron alarm movement with electronic buzzer
- Omega Time Computer LED watch
- Roamer Micro-Quartz
- Universal Geneve Zone Timer Accutron with second timezone display
- Vacuum Chronometer, with high-beat movement in a sealed vacuum
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.
- Bulova Oval mini Accutron, 4.4 mm thick
- Bulova 10.5 ligne Accutron with 2 hands, center seconds with date, and center seconds with day and date
- Nepro Electric Memotron with electronic buzzer
- Rado DiaStar Electrosonic
European Watch, Clock and Jewellery Fair, 1974
March 30-April 8, 1974
European Watch, Clock and Jewellery Fair, 1975
April 12-21, 1975
European Watch, Clock and Jewellery Fair, 1976
April 24-May 3, 1976
European Watch, Clock and Jewellery Fair, 1977
April 16-25, 1977
European Watch, Clock and Jewellery Fair, 1978
April 15-24, 1978
European Watch, Clock and Jewellery Fair, 1979
April 21-May 1, 1979
European Watch, Clock and Jewellery Fair, 1980
April 19-28, 1980
- Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Quartz is introduced
European Watch, Clock and Jewellery Fair, 1981
April 25-May 4, 1981
- Eterna celebrates their 125th anniversary
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.
- Tissot Seastar waterproof watches
- Tissot PR 100 line
- Gerald Genta minute repeater with perpetual calendar
European Watch, Clock and Jewellery Fair, 1985
April 11-18, 1985
- Audemars Piguet Bamboo line
- Chopard Luna d'Oro
- Fortis releases a reissue of their Harwood automatic watch
- Jean Lassale Thalassa
- Omega launches the De Ville line
- Ulysse Nardin Galileo Galilei
BASEL 86
April 17-24, 1986
- Japanese companies are allowed for the first time, including Seiko
BASEL 87
April 23-30, 1987
- Chopard Monte Carlo
- Gerald Genta Thirteenth Hour
- Girard-Perregaux Equation Espace
- Jaeger-LeCoultre Perpetual calendar
- Longines Hour Angle
BASEL 88
April 14-21, 1988
- Blancpain Rattrapante chronograph
- Hublot Chronograph
- IWC Da Vinci
- Jean d'Eve Samara Automatic quartz
- Seiko AGS automatic quartz
BASEL 89
April 12-19, 1989
- The first AHCI exhibit
- Concord Delirium 2.95 mm water resistant
- Jean d'Eve Sectora
- Ulysse Nardin Planetarium Copernicus
- Universal Geneve Collection 66 Cal. 66
- Zenith Academy quartz
BASEL 90
April 19-26, 1990
- Seiko Scubamaster
- Svend Andersen Communication
- Technos Mosaba tuning fork
- Zenith 125th anniversary collection
BASEL 91
April 18-25, 1991
- Daniel Roth Double-Face Tourbillon
- ETA Cal. 255.611 with Renata CR2320 3-year battery
- Hebdomas Jumping Hours
BASEL 92
April 4-11, 1992
- Breitling Navitimer 92 civilian version
- ETA Cal. 2893 series
- Gerald Genta Success
- IWC Da Vinci update
- IWC Doppelchronograph
- Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Grande Taille
- Philippe Dufour Grande et Petite Sonnerie Minute Repeater
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.
- Alain Silberstein Kronomarine
- Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore
- Breguet Tourbillon Regulator Skeleton
- Chopard Imperiale chronograph
- Jean d'Eve Jean d'Eve Quarta
- Junghans Mega Solar
- Ronda Cal. 315 with 3-year battery
- Tissot PR50
BASEL 94
April 14-21, 1994
- Audemars Piguet Grande Sonnerie Houres et Quarts
- Christiaan van der Klaauw Satellite du Monde prototype
- Blancpain 1735
- Gerald Genta Donald Duck
- IWC Titan
- Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Repetition Minutes
- Longines Pioneer
- Omega Speedmaster Professional 25th anniversary
- Paul Picot Technicum Automatic chronograph Rattrapante chronometer with power reserve
- Ulysse Nardin Rattrapante tourbillon chronograph
BASEL 95
April 26-May 3, 1995
- Christiaan van der Klaauw Satellite du Monde production models
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
- A. Lange & Söhne Lange 1 Tourbillon
- Christiaan van der Klaauw Planetarium 2000
- Chronoswiss Tora with Second Time Zone
- Glashütte Original PanoRetroGraph
- Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Perpetual
- Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Quantieme Perpetuel
- Jörg Hysek Time Traveller
- Maurice Lacroix Calendrier Retrograde
- Omega De Ville Co-Axial
- Patek Philippe "10 Jours", Ref. 5100
- Ulysse Nardin Perpetual Calendar GMT
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.
- Rolex Submariner 16610LV "Kermit" - 50th anniversary model and first "Maxi" dial Submariner
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.
- Anonimo Militare Chrono
- Audi Square Chronograph
- Breitling Chronomat Evolution
- Glycine Airman 9
- Greubel Forsey double tourbillon
- Harry Winston Opus IV by Christophe Claret
- Porsche Design Indicator designed by Paul Gerber
- Sinn 856 Pilot's Chronograph Black
- TAG Heuer V4 Concept Watch designed by Jean-François Ruchonnet and produced by Philippe Dufour
- TAG Heuer SLR Chronograph
- Thomas Prescher triple tourbillon (AHCI)
- Vogard Timezoner developed by Thomas Prescher
Baselworld 2005
March 31-April 7, 2005
- Breguet La Tradition
- Corum Golden Bridge
- Corum Admiral's Cup
- De Bethune DB17S
- Harry Winston Opus V
- IWC Ingenieur Automatic Mercedes-AMG, Ref. 3227
- Patek Philippe Annual Calendar
- Patek Philippe Calatrava, Ref. 5296
- Patek Philippe Calatrava, Ref. 600
- Patek Philippe Nautilus Moon Phase, Ref. 3712
- Rolex Cellini Prince
- Seiko Spring Drive
- TAG Heuer 360 Concept Chronograph
- Ulysse Nardin Freak 28,800 v/h Diamond Heart
Baselworld 2006
March 30-April 6, 2006
- Christiaan van der Klaauw Venus 2006
- Harry Winston Opus VI (Baselworld)
- TAG Heuer Monaco LS
- Seiko Credor Spring Drive Sonnerie
Baselworld 2007
April 12-19, 2007
- IceLink 6Timezone with 6 independent movements
- Patek Philippe 40 mm Ref. 5167, replacing the original 38 mm "Jumbo" model
Baselworld 2008
April 3-10, 2008
Baselworld 2009
March 26-April 2, 2009
Baselworld 2010
March 18-25, 2010
- Hublot Classic Fusion line introduced
- Rolex Submariner, Ref. 116610 steel "supercase" released
Baselworld 2011
March 24-31, 2011
- Breuget Type XXI 3810 Titanium
- Christophe Claret 21 Blackjack
- Chronoswiss Balance
- Chronoswiss Timemaster Big Date Power Reserve
- Citizen Satellite Eco-Drive
- Corum Admiral’s Cup Legend 42
- Glashutte Original Seventies Panorama Date
- Harry Winston Opus Eleven
- Hublot Minute Repeater Tourbillon Chronograph
- Omega Speedmaster Co-Axial Automatic Chronograph
- Patek Philippe Ref. 5270
- Porsche Design Heritage Compass
- Rolex Explorer II, Ref. 216570, 42 mm
- Seiko Credor Spring Drive Minute Repeater
- Urwerk UR-202S
- Zenith El Primero Stratos
Baselworld 2012
March 8-15, 2012
- Bell & Ross BR 126
- Breguet Classique Chronometrie 10 Hz
- Breitling Chronomat GMT 44
- Devon Tread 2
- Hamilton Pan Europ
- Hublot Classic Fusion Tourbillon
- HYT H1
- Omega Speedmaster Racing
- Rolex Sky-Dweller
- Seiko Astron
- Sinn EZM 10
- Zenith Pilot Doublematic
Baselworld 2013
April 25-May 2, 2013
- Rolex Yacht-Master II in steel
- Rolex GMT-Master II "Batman"
Baselworld 2014
March 27-April 3, 2014
- Bulgari Octo Finissimo Tourbillon
- Girard-Perregaux Tri-Axial Tourbillon
- Patek Philippe Nautilus Travel Time Chronograph Ref. 5990
- Rolex Sea-Dweller 4000
- Rolex GMT-Master II "Pepsi"
Baselworld 2015
March 19-26, 2015
Baselworld 2016
March 17-24, 2016
Notable introductions at Baselworld 2016 include the following:
- Angelus U30 Tourbillon Rattrapante
- Bremont Regatta AC
- Bulova Moon Watch
- Bulgari Octo Finissimo Minute Repeater
- Chanel Monsieur de Chanel
- Citizen Eco-Drive One
- Frédérique Constant Slimline Perpetual Calendar Manufacture
- Rolex Datejust 41
- Sinn 556 Anniversary
- Sinn 6200 Meisterbund I
- Sinn 910 Anniversary Split-Seconds Chronograph
- TAG Heuer Carrera Heuer-02T Tourbillon
- TAG Heuer Monza update
- Tudor Heritage Black Bay with in-house movement
- Ulysse Nardin Grand Deck Marine Tourbillon
Baselworld 2017
March 23-30, 2017
Notable introductions at Baselworld 2017 include the following:
- Breitling Avenger Hurricane Military
- Breitling Colt Skyracer
- Bulgari Octo Finissimo Automatic
- Chopard L.U.C. XP
- Citizen Promaster Eco-Drive Professional Diver 1000M
- Eterna KonTiki Manufacture Diver Bronze
- Glashütte Original Senator Chronograph Panorama Date
- Graff Eclipse Tourbillon
- Hermès Cape Cod
- Slim d’Hermés L’heure Impatiente
- Hublot MP-09 Tourbillon Bi-Axis
- Konstantin Chaykin Joker
- Longines Heritage 1945
- Maurice Lacroix Masterpiece Double Retrograde Moonphase
- Movado Connect
- Nomos Club 38 Campus
- Omega 60th Anniversary Limited Editions: Omega Railmaster, Omega Seamaster, Omega Speedmaster
- Patek Philippe Ref. 5320G
- Patek Philippe Aquanaut Ref. 5168G, larger 42.2 mm "Jumbo" model
- Rolex Cellini Moonphase
- Rolex Sea-Dweller Ref. 126600
- Rolex Sky-Dweller in Rolesor
- Rolex Yacht-Master II updated "-0002" models
- Sinn EZM 12
- TAG Heuer Autavia Caliber Heuer 02
- Tudor Heritage Black Bay Chronograph
- Zenith Defy El Primero 21
- Zenith Type 20 Pilot
Baselworld 2018
March 22-27, 2018
Notable introductions at Baselworld 2018 include the following:
- Arnold & Son Globetrotter
- Nomos Autobahn neomatik
- Oris Big Crown ProPilot Calibre 114
- Patek Philippe Ladies Chronograph, Ref. 7150
- Rolex GMT-Master II Ref. 126710 "Pepsi"
- Sinn 836
- TAG Heuer Carrera Calibre 16 Chronograph
- Tudor Black Bay GMT
Baselworld 2019
March 21-26, 2019
Notable introductions at Baselworld 2019 include the following:
- A. Lange & Söhne Lange 1 25th Anniversary
- Bulgari Octo Finissimo Chronograph GMT, the thinnest mechanical chronograph
- Bulova Computron LED watch
- Chopard L.U.C Flying T Twin flying tourbillon
- Chronoswiss Regulator Classic update
- Citizen Eco-Drive Caliber 0100
- Grand Seiko Spring Drive 20th Anniversary
- Greubel Forsey Quadruple Tourbillon GMT
- Hautlence HL Sphere
- Hublot Classic Fusion Ferrari GT, the latest Ferrari watch
- Kudoke Kudoke 1 and Kudoke 2
- MB&F Legacy Machine Flying T
- Patek Philippe Alarm Travel Time, Ref. 5520P
- Patek Philippe Calatrava Weekly Calendar, Ref. 5212-A
- Rolex GMT-Master II "Batman"
- Rolex Yacht-Master 42
- TAG Heuer Autavia collection
- Tudor Black Bay P01
- Zenith Defy Inventor with integrated silicon regulator
HourUniverse 2021
The re-launched show, now called HourUniverse, is to be held in Basel on April 8-12, 2021.