Basel World 2007 strikes positive note for the year

The Baselworld 2007 watch, gem and jewellery show got off to a good start yesterday, with most of the world's most famous brands making it clear that they looked for growth from the new consuming markets in India and China - even though they cited problems about penetrating those markets and indicated that growth there might not be immediate.

Predictably, traffic yesterday was brisk in Halls 1 through 3 which feature most of the big names. However Hall 6, which features the national pavilions including those of India, Hong Kong, Thailand and Israel, among others, saw a definite pick-up in traffic on the second day. Many Indian exhibitors said they were optimistic about the show and the prospects for the year in general.

The trends at the show seem to be in consonance with those seen at the January Vicenza show. Big looks with bold colours seem to be heavily favoured. The circular motif seems to be conitnuing - the 'circle in a circle' too seeing continued usage with variations. The high prices of precious metals seemed to have impacted designs with diamond and gemstone content of most offerings significantly increased.

Even at the national pavilions, where extremely competitive prices are unique sales propositions, visitors seemed more concerned with style and the quality of product rather than being focussed on price alone.

It is interesting to note here that the show's management announced at a press conference on April 11th that Hall 6, which currently houses the national pavilions, will be demolished after 2011 as part of a plan that will introduce 'significant improvements' to the show's infrastructure. Rene Kamm, CEO of show organizer MCH Swiss Exhibitions, noted that there was “an increasing convergence of watch and jewelry brands and are assuming that this development will become even more marked in the future.”

Kamm unveiled a CHF 350 million ($287 million) plan for a three-storey hall complex, in which Hall 1 will be extended and the new hall complexes 1 and 3 will be linked by a roof over Exhibition Square. The red porch to Hall 1, as well as the present Hall 3, will be demolished to make way for this new building. The changes will double the amount of floor space for multi-storey stands from 45,000 to 90,000 sq. metres.