Following on from a recordbreaking 2011, the new Baselworld to be held from March 8th to 15th certainly looks promising. In this optimistic, albeit cautious context, watchmakers, jewellers and suppliers are currently putting the final touches to their creations, in order to create a splash at the largest
international event in their sector. An opportunity to take a good look at the Swiss watchmaking scene and its brands that spark trends without succumbing to the dictates of ephemeral fashions.

   Baselworld is an opportunity to affirm the upward-moving export trend, but above all to reveal the most recent creations of Swiss Exhibitors which rival each other in ingenuity and skill. From the most classical to the completely futurist, from feminine to virile and from quartz to mechanical, the timepieces
provide a veritable anthology of techniques and emotions flirting with both innovation and tradition. While certain trends naturally develop year after year, Swiss watchmakers studiously avoid creating their models according to fleeting fashions. A watch is above all the story of a lifetime.

The vintage look and spirit
   Vintage has been in the spotlight for several years already, reviewed and amended according to contemporary aesthetic codes. These “new vintage” creations revisit historic models with a glorious past. Thus, the 1950s and 60s are once again blooming on our wrists, albeit with great sobriety. Aesthetics are simplified, with frequently ultra-thin cases, useful functions and comfort being the absolute must. This return to roots also requires a re-think of
mechanisms to improve them even more. The automatic movement is enjoying its finest hour. It is used in various additional modules, beating to new rhythms and treated to every possible attention on the decoration front. Far from left behind, the tourbillon has rarely been as widely present, performing its revolutions on creations by prestigious brands as well as on less expected models – all thus beautifully showcasing Swiss skills. Aesthetics are carefully
designed, with round and more modestly sized cases; finely crafted, highly readable dials that are frequently openworked or skeletonized so as to make extensive use of transparency in enhancing visibility; as well as monochrome and two-tone colours including many shades of black, white, silver and increasingly frequently, royal blue.

  Continuing to draw inspiration from the work of ancient watchmakers, models demonstrate a new infatuation that is becoming a distinct trend – namely, that of artistic crafts. Enamelling, paving, mosaic, engraving, marquetry, guilloche represent an entire range of techniques serving to shape matter in order to create three dimensional decorative motifs. with mother-of-pearl, ceramics, diamonds and precious stones are exalted by artisans who create ultrarealistic
depictions of fauna, lush flora and other moving works of art.

Functionality above all
  Whether re-visited or resolutely contemporary, above all, watches fulfil needs. Consequently, the GMT models are designed for today’s nomads. With models displaying one, two or three time zones and up to 24 cities as points of reference, it has never been so easy to travel. Nor does the success
of the chronograph show any sign of diminishing. Associated with the world of cars, planes or simply daily needs, the three counters – hours, minutes and small second hand – pop up everywhere, a trend that confirms the return of urban chic and sporting elegance in the hearts of watch lovers. And finally, ocean depths are being steadily conquered by the technologies used in the most recent diving watches.

From “new vintage” to 100% futurist
  Baselworld is also an opportunity to get to know timepieces from “another dimension”. Welcome to a world where avant-garde rules supreme and where classic references have no place, giving way to models distinguished by their innovative architecture and extraordinary displays. Stunning techniques
combining titanium, ceramics, carbon fibre, rubber… Liquid, solid, air: all conventional limits are surpassed and any sense of propriety has gone by the wayside. Moreover, futuristic timepieces rhyme with unlikely associations, such as sapphire crystals serving as case middles or dials, opaque glass discs
masking the time, or mechanisms that are alternately revealed and hidden. A realm featuring a wealth of mechanical devices and passionately dedicated creative spirits.

2011, record year for Swiss watchmaking
  With over 19.3 billion francs’ worth of exports, 2011 was the ultimate record year, with remarkable growth in the context of which Swiss watch companies exceeded the previous year’s result by 19.2%. The fourth quarter was the best, with the three biggest months in the history of watch exports – results that are a noteworthy exception within a tough economic climate. The sector’s success was also penalised by the strong Swiss franc, which affected both profit margins and retail prices. Nonetheless, the 29.8 million watches exported last year (+13.8%) bode well for 2012.

Baselworld 2012
  Those in charge of Baselworld look optimistically into the future. For show manager Sylvie Ritter, it is clear that “this is one of the best Baselworlds of all times. We are doing everything possible to ensure that we successfully establish ourselves at this new high level. This show will remain the most important and highest-quality event for the international watch and jewellery industry.”

  For the international watch and jewellery industry, the New Year will only be starting on March 8, 2012, when Baselworld, the World Watch and Jewellery Show, opens its doors to the specialist trade, as an established industry highlight. For a period of eight days, the key brands of the luxury goods sector
will be presenting their innovations in Basel.

  As the world’s leading show, Baselworld aspires to provide positive stimuli for the industry. The show management is convinced that Baselworld will live up to this aspiration in the coming year too, and is expecting some 1,800 exhibitors and more than 100,000 professional visitors from all over the world at Baselworld 2012. The proven concept is being maintained. The exhibiting companies are being given sufficient space to present their collections and their brand worlds at a show that is clearly divided into sectors, at the topmost level.

  The extensive building work for the new hall infrastructure will be interrupted for the duration of Baselworld 2012. The show will not be affected at all by the construction work which is being carried out with a view to Baselworld 2013. All the hall entrances are available as usual.