BaselWorld news and archive

Baselworld cancels 2022 tradeshow

Troubled Swiss tradeshow Baselworld has cancelled its 2022 edition, which was to take place next spring. The international watch fair said the launch of a new concept is taking longer than expected. The fair’s managing director, Michel Loris-Melikoff, who took over the management of Baselworld in 2018, also announced his departure. Baselworld,...

Fairs

Rolex, Patek Philippe ditch Baselworld to create new watch fair

Five of the world's biggest luxury watchmakers, including Rolex, Patek Philippe and Chanel, announced Tuesday they would withdraw from Baselworld to create a new watch fair. Joined by jeweller Chopard and Rolex subsidiary Tudor, the brands that for decades were considered pillars of the iconic fair in the northern Swiss city of Basel have...

Fairs

Baselworld watch fair cancelled over coronavirus fears

Zurich - The organisers of Baselworld, one of the world's biggest watch fairs, said Friday they would cancel the 2020 event after the Swiss government banned mass assemblies over the spread of the deadly new coronavirus. "For health safety reasons and in accordance with the precautionary principle following the bans of large-scale public and...

Business

Luxury watchmakers plan for Brexit, cope with French protests

Luxury watchmakers have joined the list of businesses implementing Brexit contingency plans by stockpiling inventory in Britain before it leaves the EU, industry leaders said. Brands are seeking to guard against "practical problems" that may emerge, including new customs procedures or import backlogs following Brexit, the head of the Federation...