Pre-Baselworld 2008 Press Conference reports excellent export figures, projects upbeat future and discerns new industry trends

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02-Apr-2008

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The mood at the Pre-Baselworld Press Conference was buoyant and optimistic as the Swiss watch industry leaders expressed great contentment with surging 2007 exports valued at Swiss Francs (CHF) 16.0 billion, representing a whopping and unprecedented 16.0 % increase over corresponding 2006 export figures and a 50.0 % increase over the previous four years.

One message was crystal clear—the resurgent Baselworld series is here to stay. Dispelling any notion of change of dates for the Baselworld Exhibition series, Jacques J. Duchene, President of the Exhibitors Committee, reiterated the Committee’s decision to continue holding Baselworld during the traditional end-March, early-April season. To confirm this decision dates for Baselworld 2009 (26 March to 2 April); Baselworld 2010 (4 to 11 March); Baselworld 2011 (24 to 31 March) and Baselworld 2012 (29 March to 5 April) were also announced. Increased demand for exhibition space has been the catalyst for the newly designed and expanded exhibition areas. A brand new Exhibition Centre is also expected to take shape in 2012.

The 116,000 sq. m. exhibition area spread out over 6 different halls will see the participation by 2,087 exhibitors from over 45 countries, including 458 Swiss brands. The international media is also well represented with over 2,500 media correspondents from all over the globe. Over 100,000 buyers worldwide are also expected to converge on Baselworld 2008.

Commenting and shedding further light on the Swiss watch exports, Monsieur Duchene stated that all regions reported double digit growth with the sole exception of the United States of America where exports declined by an infinitesimal 1.0 %, attributable to the ongoing economic meltdown wrought by the sub-prime mortgage crisis. The Asian continent (including the Middle East) accounted for a hefty 43.7 % of exports followed by Europe (34.2 %), the Americas (20.2 %), Africa (1.0 %) and Oceania-Australia & New Zealand (0.9%).

The determination of the industry to stringently protect and prevent the infringement of intellectual property fight piracy came under the scanner as Monsieur Duchene enumerated the accomplishments of the industry’s anti-piracy unit with raids that netted confiscations of counterfeit watches in regions as diverse and as geographically apart as China, Hong Kong, Italy and Mexico. The Swiss Government will also shortly enforce regulations to prevent trading in fakes and the industry is making much headway to curb the industrial production of counterfeits around the world. The following trends were readily discernable at Baselworld 2008
 
• Innovative display is key to the success of the image and retail potential of a brand

• Original / Large sized chronographs are back in vogue

• A section of men’s watches are increasingly becoming jewellery pieces

• More fashion brands are emerging into the watch sphere with new calibers and are steadily coming to the fore as watch makers
• Diamond settings are gaining ground

• Tourbillon as counters to gravitational influences are becoming fashionable

• Customers are clamouring for more comfortable & multi-material straps

The Press Conference attended by a vast throng of journalists including a 5-member strong Arabian Watches & Jewellery (AWJ) contingent. Those who addressed the Press Conference were Rene Kamm, CEO, MCH Swiss Exhibition (Holding), organizers of the exhibition; Sylvie Ritter, Show Director, Baselworld; Jacques J. Duchene, President, Baselworld Exhibitors’ Committee and country representatives Francois Thiebaud (Switzerland), Peter Rost (Germany), Patrice Besnard (France), Benjamin Chau (Hong Kong) and Dr. Gaetano Cavalieri, President, CIBJO (Italy).

 

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