BASELWORLD 2013: new era – new records

The redesigned BASELWORLD Watch and Jewellery Show closed its doors today after eight highly successful days. This, the world’s most important event for the watch and jewellery industry, was able to set a new record with 122,000 visitors (+17% / 2012). The exhibitors expressed their great satisfaction with the new quality of BASELWORLD and the course of business. In terms of the media presence too, a new record has doubtless been achieved, with no fewer than 3610 accredited journalists (+9% / 2012).

A SUCCESSFUL START TO THE NEW ERA

The exhibiting companies expressed their great satisfaction with the business they had conducted and also with the quality of the show.

Jacques J. Duchêne, Chairman of the Exhibitors’ Committee, had the following to say at the end of the show: “We can look back on a brilliant event. All the effort that went into it, together with the commitment of the exhibitors, the show management and the political authorities, has paid off. And now we can reap the fruits of this labour – a show boasting a new quality and aesthetics, unrivalled anywhere in the world”.

François Thiébaud, President of the Swiss exhibitors at BASELWORLD also confirms: “We are delighted to confirm that a new century has been heralded in for the watch industry with BASELWORLD 2013. We have concluded exceptional business deals in this exceptional infrastructure”.

Karl-Friedrich Scheufele, Co-President of Chopard, states: “BASELWORLD 2013 proved to be a highly successful edition, despite the fact that it was held later in the year than usual. All the markets were present, and we recorded a very good media presence at our stand. Both our guests and the journalists were delighted with the new show layout”.

Thierry Stern, President of Patek Philippe, underlines the importance of the event: “The general mood was an exceptionally positive one. This key meeting point for the industry enables us to meet all our dealers, establish their views and perspectives for the current year and present our innovations to them”.

For Guido Terreni, Managing Director Watch Business Unit at Bulgari, the show was similarly a major success. “We are very impressed by the new building. It gives the exhibitors the opportunity to stage higher-quality presentations. BASELWORLD is now a genuine luxury show. We are particularly satisfied, since our new stand, in its new position, gives us enhanced visibility. This meant we were also able to benefit from an increased visitor frequency”.

THE MOST IMPORTANT MEDIA EVENT GLOBALLY FOR THE INDUSTRY

“This is an exceptional year for us”, explains Luc Perramond, CEO of La Montre Hermès. “We have been able to inaugurate our new pavilion by Toyo Ito. This stand reflects our brand in an outstanding manner. We were able to welcome around 800 journalists. The number of buyers has also risen. This show is an event not to be missed for us”.

Françoise Bezzola, Vice President Communication at TAG Heuer, sums up the show as follows: “An excellent edition for TAG Heuer: we were able to record two-digit growth rates. The new position and the new stand offered our customers greater comfort and convenience. The new hall gives the show even more prestige and definitely puts it in the top league. BASELWORLD is, above all, an out-of-the-ordinary communication platform, which gives us the opportunity to speak to the world’s press and keep abreast of the market within the space of just a few days”.

“This show remains the not-to-be-missed rendezvous for the industry”, says Nicolas Beau, Directeur International Horlogerie at Chanel. “The atmosphere was indeed highly satisfying. We had a good number of visitors to the stand and were able to welcome 1,200 journalists”.

For Robert Buchbauer, CEO of Swarovski, it is clear that: “BASELWORLD 2013 was an exceptional platform for us, allowing us to meet our customers and the media. Thanks to our new ‘wings of sparkle’ stand concept, we attracted a large number of visitors and a high level of attention from the media from all over the world. It was a great opportunity to present our new watch and jewellery collection”.

On the part of the jewellery exhibitors, the expectations of Giuseppe Picchiotti, owner of Picchiotti, were also fulfilled: “It went very well and we are highly satisfied. We invested a great deal in new models and in our stand, and our customers are delighted. We were also able to acquire considerably more new customers compared with previous years – especially from Russia and the Far East”.

Walter Häusermann, Chairman of Swiss jewellery brand Furrer-Jacot, can be quoted as follows: “It was a gratifying show. The improved show infrastructure and the new show stands meant we were able to position our brand in the ideal manner in Hall 1.1. And, as far as orders are concerned, this was the best show for us for five years”.

Marc Buelling, owner of Buelling Germany, was particularly satisfied with the fact that Germany’s jewellery capital – the “Golden City” of Pforzheim – made its first appearance in the hall. “For our company, BASELWORLD 2013 was one of the most successful shows of the last 15 years. The quality of the visitors was uniquely high”.

In the other sectors of BASELWORLD too, a large number of positive voices were to be heard on the last day of the show. Hence Bernd-Willi Ripp, Managing Director of Groh+Ripp reported: “We are highly satisfied with the course of business and were able to forge a large number of new, international contacts. For us, BASELWORLD is the most important platform for showcasing in a fitting manner the production options that we are able to offer for high-grade coloured gemstones. BASELWORLD is where the whole world meets up”.

For the National Pavilions in Hall 4, Stephen Wong, Regional Director Europe of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), has the following to say: “Switching to Hall 4, directly on Exhibition Square, was a good move for the exhibitors from Hong Kong, and especially for the jewellery sector. The new stands mean that the products can be presented in an even more impressive manner. The feedback from our visitors is similarly positive: they welcome the central position of the Hong Kong Pavilion and the clear layout of both storeys of Hall 4. BASELWORLD is a ‘must’ for us, and we are proud that we will be able to organise the biggest country pavilion at this decisive industry event over the years to come too”.

BASELWORLD 2014: March 27 – April 3, 2014

For Sylvie Ritter, Managing Director of BASELWORLD, it is clear that: “With BASELWORLD 2013 we have set new standards. This has further reinforced the uniqueness of this event. There is nothing comparable in the luxury goods industry anywhere in the world. We shall be doing everything within our power to further expand our leading position next year too”. BASELWORLD 2014 is being held from March 27 to April 3, 2014 in the halls at Messe Basel.