Baselworld 2017 concluded successfully but in 2018 the fair duration will be shortened.

Baselworld 2017, the prestigious fair for premium watchmaking and jewellery brands held in the city centre of Basel, Switzerland from 23 to 30 March, had successfully concluded, registering 106,000 trade visitors from more than 100 countries to preview the latest on offer from 1,300 exhibitors representing 40 counties.

Although the attendance numbers were 4% less than last year, it was set against a challenging market marked by economic and political uncertainties on the international front.

The fair for premium watchmaking and jewellery brands celebrated its hundred years' anniversary this year, and is regarded as a trendsetting event for the global market.   It is equally important for producers and brands as for retailers and buyers for it presented an opportunty to exchange industry views, discover and explore new creations and innovations.

Willie Hamilton, Chief Executive of the Master Jewellers, UK, said, "for the UK independent retailer, it is a chance to see and buy the latest watch trends, view new jewellery brands and buy precious gemstones.  It offers a chance to network with the most important players of the industry."

Inaugurated this year was the new “Les Ateliers” space in Hall 1.2 that featured 40 independent watchmaking brands exhibiting their latest offering in an open and welcoming space, laid out in such a way that the stands reflected the daring nature of the creations being presented. In similar vein, both renowned designers and the new kids on the block in the jewellery world enjoyed a dedicated space known as the Design Lab.

As the market today is constantly evolving, watchmakers and jewellers have to work relentlessly to keep up with social changes, according to industry experts. While the priority focus remains the products themselves, much energy has gone into rethinking the entire value chain, from design and price positioning to distribution.

In response to the latest consumer trends, which increasingly lean towards online shopping, industry experts pointed out that brands now have to be able to stock products that are immediately available, and to regularly renew their collections.   In terms of positioning, they also need to be able to offer a range of price points.


As a result, even the most prestigious brands now sell entry-level timepieces at more affordable prices, equipped with simpler complications, or in steel, for example, rather than gold or platinum.

There were 220 Swiss brands in the exhibition this year, compared to merely 29 Swiss watchmaking and jewellery brands in the first ever show in 1917,  and today watchmaking remains a important export earner for Switzerland, it being its third largest behind pharmaceutical and chemicals and the machinery industry.

In the face of a challenging market marked by  a strong Swiss franc, and the economic and political uncertainties on the international front, Swiss watch exports have suffered a slowdown in the last two years.  Nevertheless, Swiss watch exports finished 2016 with sales of CHF 19.4 billion, almost double the figures of the early 2000s, according to official figures.

Baselworld 2018 will take place 22 to 27 March 2018.

Next year, Baselworld 2018 will be held for a shorter period of time, from March 22 - 27 , that is six instead of eight days in total.  According to Sylvie Ritter, Managing Director of Baselworld, the industry is going through a challenging phase, affecting particularly small companies.  "Listening to our exhibitors and in agreement with the members of the different Committees, we have decided to reduce the duration of the show and make adjustments.  Baselworld will maintain the attractiveness of the show and its global impact by remaining faithful to our strategy which favours quality and leverages diversity in all sectors," said Ms Ritter.

All photos from Baselworld 2017.