Not all images were able to load for printing. Please close the print window and try again. Swatch Group To Hold its Own Watch Fair In Zurich, During Baselworld 2019
After leaving Baselworld, Swatch Group to hold a dissident watch fair in Zurich, at the same dates.
The topic of watch fairs is hot these days. Everything started with the explosive news of Swatch Group’s decision to leave Baselworld 2019. This led to several other departures, followed by the resignation of Baselworld/MCH’s CEO and multiple criticisms. In order to stop the bleeding and calm things down, the SIHH and Baselworld announced they will be synchronising their calendars again. However, this isn’t the end of the story. A recent piece of news published by Reuters and Le Temps confirms that the Swatch Group will hold its own watch fair, in Zurich and right during Baselworld 2019.
According to Reuters, which was informed by a retailer who received an official invitation, the Swatch Group will hold its own show in Zurich – rumours were already heading in that direction – with its most luxurious brands presenting their novelties. The invitation mentions the following brands: Breguet, Harry Winston, Blancpain, Jaquet Droz, Glashütte Original and Omega. Apparently, the more accessible brands such as Longines, Tissot or Rado won’t be part of this event. Ironically, the name of the event on the invitation is « Time to Move ».
The most surprising fact concerns the dates. While we were expecting this fair to take place right before or right after Baselworld, it appears (again according to Reuters and Le Temps) that Swatch Group will exhibit on the exact same dates as Baselworld 2019 – in March.
Important to note about this upcoming event is the fact that it should be a retailer-only meeting – meaning no press or collectors. Contacted by Le Temps, Swatch Group confirmed and explained that the choice for the location and dates were a request of retailers who wanted to visit the brands at the same time they were visiting Baselworld.
Now that SIHH and Baselworld have found a way to synchronise calendars and that MCH shows its wish to evolve, the question concerning the presence of the Swatch Group at Baselworld 2020 remains open – and as yet, unanswered.
1 response
No press invited? Hmmm.