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Exhibition draws praise from exhibitors, visitors and media
Introduction:
Amid a very upbeat ambience, the eight-day 36th Baselworld 2008, which commenced on Thursday, 3 April officially closed on Thursday, 10 April. All expectations were surpassed at the exhibition. It was a strong and successful closure to yet another exhibition in the popular Baselworld series. This year was particularly noteworthy thanks to superb 2007 export figures hovering on the CHF $ 16.0 billion, reflecting a staggering 16.79 % increase over corresponding 2006 statistics (at CHF 13.7 billion) and a whopping 50.0 % increase over the previous four years. Baselworld 2008 has been the best series to date.
According to Jacques J. Duchene, President of the Exhibitors Committee, 2008 has been an excellent year. “Baselworld 2008 has gone very well and we are very satisfied by its outcome. This only proves and reinforces the prestige of Baselworld as the industry’s premier event in the exhibition calendar’, he said in a statement to the press upon the event’s conclusion. The figures and logistics were very impressive. Several top industry leaders interviewed at Baselworld 2008 also provided positive comments on the outcome of the show.
Facts:
The 160,000 sq. m. gross exhibition area was spread out over six different large halls that saw the participation by 2,087 exhibitors from over 45 countries, including 458 Swiss brands. The breakdown of the latter was as follows: 291 brands in the watch-making section (Halls 1,4,5); 43 brands in the jewellery section (Halls 2,5) and 124 brands in related sectors (Halls 3,5). According to the organizers, the international media was also well represented with a record 2,981 journalists & media correspondents (up 8.0 %) from all over the globe. According to the exhibition organizers, over 106,800 buyers (up 5.0%) worldwide converged on Baselworld 2008.
Inauguration:
Earlier, the 36th World Watch & Jewellery Show-Baselworld 2008 was officially inaugurated with the symbolic cutting of the ceremonial ribbon on Thursday, 3 April by a quartet comprising Doris Leuthard, Swiss Federal Councillor & Economic Minister; Guy Martin, District President of the Canton Basel City; Jacques J. Duchene, President of the Exhibitors Committee and Rene Kamm, CEO, Messe Schweiz, organizers of Baselworld 2008. A large assembly of officials, senior industry professionals and media persons were present at the ceremony.
Clearly, the atmosphere at Baselworld 2008 was electric, optimistic, even celebratory. Good sales deals were concluded and although no specific figures were available at the time of going to press, MPParabia can confirm that there was very strong interest in premium watches across the board from virtually all round the globe. Not to be outdone, several top distributors of premium watches and elite jewellery from across the Middle East were present at Baselworld 2008. New and innovative watch models were on display and demand for high-end watches was unrelenting.
Basel 2009 dates:
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 Committees 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)
Swiss Watch exports 2007 VS 2006:
Commenting and shedding further light on the 2007 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 %, in 2007 VS 2006 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 %).
Swiss watch exports in February 2008 also saw phenomenal increases. Total exports stood at CHF 1.33 billion, an increase of 18.3 % over corresponding February 2006 figures, the highest recorded over the preceding 12-month period.
Trends & directions:
The following trends were readily discernable at Baselworld 2008:
• Original, large-sized chronographs are in vogue
• Several displayed watches had a wide range of countdown functions and multiple time zones
• The Tourbillon reverts to its original function of negating variations in vertical positions
• Basic movements were enhanced with rotors—pierced or exquisitely decorated. Companies had also invested considerably in developing sophisticated movements, escapements and other vital intricacies. Silicon escapements were coming to the fore
• Circular shapes appeared to be the most popular followed by squares and rectangles with pure and vigorous lines
• Pink gold, steel and other alloyed high-tech materials took their place of pride
• Men’s watches were increasingly becoming jewellery pieces
• There is a growing interest in mechanics in women’s watches
• Fashion brands were developing their own calibres and becoming recognized watchmakers
• Diamond settings in watches were becoming progressively popular
• Use of newer materials such as innovative ceramics and new coatings showed promise
• Special attention was being paid to comfort
Middle East interest:
Attention and appetite from the Middle East professional watch and jewellery community for Baselworld 2008 was very high. A snap, straw poll by the MPParabia of a section of Middle East distributors revealed a strong interest in the industry’s biggest exhibition. Mohammed Jaafar of Asia Jewellers, Bahrain, a regular at Baselworld expressed his delight at being in Basel. “It is where the watch & jewellery industry comes to meet with our principals, examine the newest collections and placing our indents, Baselworld is indispensable,” he added.
Similar comments were also echoed by a cross section of interviewees as quoted below:
• “The industry comes alive at Baselworld and provides the perfect platform to bond with our principals, look first hand at the latest collections and trends, network within the industry and place orders”— Nabil Abu Issa of Blue Salon, Qatar.
• “Baselworld cannot be skipped-it is a must see event. The sheer size, magnitude and dynamism of the place and the exhibition is a showpiece for any and every serious player in the world of premium watches and fine jewellery—Jamil Al Majed, Al Majed Group, Qatar.
• “Baselworld is the major highlight in the international watch & jewellery exhibition calendar. It all begins here and what and how we do during the course of the next fiscal year in our business will depend a lot on the outcome of Baselworld—Ayman A. Duweik, CEO, Swiss Gallery, Amman, Jordan.
• “Baselworld is eagerly looked forward to. There is growing interest in the Middle East by top premium brands as the regional market holds tremendous retail promise and potential”—Faisal M. Al Faisali, PR & Marketing Manager, Trafalgar, Kuwait.