BASELWORLD 2013 with the new era sets new records

The redesigned BASELWORLD Watch and Jewellery Show concluded on May 2, 2013 after eight successful days. With exhibitors expressing satisfaction related to the business, the event set a new record with 122,000 visitors (+17% / 2012).

At the 41st BASELWORLD Watch and Jewellery Show over the past eight days, 1460 exhibitors from the watch and jewellery industry, from a total of 40 different countries, showcased their exclusive innovations and high-quality collections in Basel. With the newly-opened hall complex by architects Herzog & de Meuron, a completely refurbished show concept and more than 1000 new stands, BASELWORLD successfully moved into a new era and immensely expanded its global significance. With 122,000 buyers hailing from 100 countries, the event set a new record in itself.

With the new layout of the show, the companies dealing with precious stones and the national pavilions were placed in the new hall, which created a petite confusion in searching the locations and reaching the exhibitors.

Keeping in mind the slow trend of the European market, the show did well for the exhibitors, and as usual watches drew huge response. Gemstones were also very much in demand at the show and the prices were elevated. Loose diamonds also drew inquiries at the show but the price was the only constraint for closing the deal. The diamond business was slow and the inquiries were not converting so rapidly, one of the reasons estimated is that the show witnessed limited people for buying diamonds. Present at the Baselworld 2013, Sanjay Kothari, Vice Chairman - KGK Group of Companies said, “To participate in The Basel Watch & Jewellery Fair is always an unparalleled experience. It is ever exciting to have so many jewellers and traders at the same place together and is equally exciting to showcase our best work for everyone to see. We hope to get a great response and associate with the event in the coming years as well.’ But at the same time he expressed his unhappiness with the location of the Indian pavilion. He also added that the response from the buyers was positive, “we have fix appointments at the show and that is the only way to do it. In Basel you cannot depend on walk-in customers.” With all the leading brands in hall no.2 along with the Indian pavilion sharing the same hall, the jewellery as well as Indian brands did well. Nevertheless the layout and branding was the major drawback for Indian companies participating at the show.

Yet, the exhibiting companies seemed satisfied with the quality of the show along with the business they conducted at the show. For Guido Terreni, Managing Director, Watch Business Unit at Bulgari, the show was 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". "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". Nirmal Bardia of RMC Gems Ltd, who participated in the show after 7 years, placed in hall no. 3 was happy with the response. He added, “Pariba and tourmaline were sold well and there were also good inquiries for emerald. Russians and Americans were some of the important buyers.”

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".