O/T: Swatch Group Reportedly Out Of Baselworld 2019

Calibre11
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Yes, it's big news. Swatch Group is 18 brands and they take up a very significant amount of space at Baselworld. Without them, its LVMH, Rolex, Breitling and Patek as the main players (remembering that all Richemont brands plus Audemars Piguet and others are at SIHH only in Geneva in January).

I believe that Rolex has a contract until 2020...but then again, we thought that Swatch Group had signed up to 2019. Here is an article from earlier this year:

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/arti...ch-industry-s-biggest-trade-show-is-imploding

On reflection, I think Baselworld has had its day. The split with SIHH makes covering both events as the Time+Tide team do tiring and expensive...and then brands like TAG Heuer typically bring a dozen new watches to Basel but will only officially show the press 4-5.

The key to whether it continues will be the reaction from the buyers. Remember that fundamentally, these shows were historically for dealers to see all the new stock in one place and to place their orders. That is why Richemont squeezed in SIHH ahead of Baselworld, to try and take advantage of committing sales earlier.
 
Mr_Orange
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This has been covered by all the major blogs/watch news sites.

If what has been reported is true, it does appear to be systematic of the Swiss' reluctance to change 馃槈.
 
Hubert
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I posted this during this year's Baselworld. So this is the perfect time to revisit it.
 
Mr_Orange
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Raymond Weil is also leaving Baselworld. Not as dramatic as the Swatch Group's departure but another departure, nevertheless.
 
absolutemustard
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Companies are realizing the new world we live in. Talking watches to a show and not having them for sale for 6-8 months later doesnt work anymore.
 
Aquagraph
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absolutemustard absolutemustard
Companies are realizing the new world we live in. Talking watches to a show and not having them for sale for 6-8 months later doesnt work anymore.

True, but I'm betting it's more to do with the huge cost of exhibiting at these things.
 
Lugduno
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Aquagraph Aquagraph
True, but I'm betting it's more to do with the huge cost of exhibiting at these things.
Likely a combintion of both. The times are changing and Baselworld would probably need to lower their prices or completely plan everything in a very different, and more modern approach. The current price tag combined with the rise of smaller edition and direct contact for the brands with its customers will probably scare away even more brands.
 
Calibre11
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Good news! Although it does ask the longer term question of why you鈥檇 run two 3 day events in two cities instead of a single 5 day show that alternates between Basel and Geneva..but that sounds like a post-2025 issue.
 
Hubert
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Calibre11 Calibre11
Good news! Although it does ask the longer term question of why you鈥檇 run two 3 day events in two cities instead of a single 5 day show that alternates between Basel and Geneva..but that sounds like a post-2025 issue.
Yes; I agree. They probably want emphasize the distinction of the clientele by maintaining the geographical separation between the two expos.

In any case, this is certainly good news! 馃榾
 
Mr_Orange
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Calibre11 Calibre11
Good news! Although it does ask the longer term question of why you鈥檇 run two 3 day events in two cities instead of a single 5 day show that alternates between Basel and Geneva..but that sounds like a post-2025 issue.

I was thinking the same thing when I read an article on this earlier today.
 
THJunkie
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absolutemustard absolutemustard
Companies are realizing the new world we live in. Talking watches to a show and not having them for sale for 6-8 months later doesnt work anymore.

Quite. 9 months later and many warws are still to make it to the shops. Omega for example have a 75th anniversary which they鈥檙e going to miss by nearly 3 months

What a joke!
 
Calibre11
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Not a bad idea...Basel is ~40mins away from Zurich and many stay in Zurich anyway.

Still, it鈥檚 all a bit silly..if you鈥檙e going to be showing off all your brands at the same time as Baselworld, why not swallow your pride and show them...in Basel?
Edited:
 
Hubert
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Calibre11 Calibre11
Not a bad idea...Basel is ~40mins away from Zurich and many stay in Zurich anyway.

Still, it鈥檚 all a bit silly..if you鈥檙e going to be showing off all you brands at the same time as Baselworld, why not swallow your pride and show them at Basel?
Exactly! They are a proud bunch!
 
Mr_Orange
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Calibre11 Calibre11
Still, it鈥檚 all a bit silly..if you鈥檙e going to be showing off all you brands at the same time as Baselworld, why not swallow your pride and show them at Basel?

Nicholas Hayek swallow his pride.... you must have been drinking when you wrote that last post 馃槈.
 
Hubert
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Mr_Orange Mr_Orange
Nicholas Hayek swallow his pride.... you must have been drinking when you wrote that last post 馃槈.
Yeah! When hell freezes over.
hellfreezesover_gettyimages-96340613_resized.jpg
 
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