The 2019 edition of BaselWorld, the world's biggest annual watch and jewelry fair, opened its doors to the public Thursday 21 March, with exhibitors, show managers and industry experts looking forward to a future-oriented transformation of the show in the digital world.
The show witnessed many initial changes that included modern communication strategies, strengthening the jewelry sector, and expanding the gastronomic offerings at the show. The exhibition management promised that BaselWorld would be transformed from a classic sales and distribution platform into a future-oriented experience event.
With less than 600 brands attending there was be less competition among the novelties, for press coverage and more attention given to medium to smaller sized companies.
In term of new watches, brands represented their latest innovations and creations, among them the Patek Philippe 5212A Calatrava Weekly Calendar Watch and 5170P chronograph as well as the Khaki Green Jumbo Aquanaut. Rolex has launched the all-new Rolex Oyster Perpetual Yacht-Master 42, available exclusively in 18ct white gold. Bulgari represented the Octo Finissimo Chronograph holing a new world record for both the thinnest mechanical chronograph, at a mere 6.9mm thick, and the 3.3mm thick Caliber BVL 318 is the thinnest automatic chronograph caliber.