BASELWORLD 2016 NEWSLETTER - DAY 1

Market News

Baselworld 2016 Touches Reality on Today’s “Gloomy” Environment

Mr François Thiébaud, President of the Swiss Exhibitors’ Committee downplayed the weakening of the Swiss watch industry considering the robust growth of the industry during the prior five years, it’s not that bad.

Mr Thiébaud, presented the figures during the Baselworld annual press conference Wednesday the 16th of March at Baselworld said “ the sector weakened only very slightly in 2015 (minus 3.3%), despite the global political and economic context. Given that for the global watchmaking industry, the value of Swiss watches exported is by far the highest in the world”. He underlined the fact that Swiss watchmaking has grown by more than 60% since 2010! Mr Thiébaud also paid a glowing tribute to the show saying that Baselworld is where “beauty and innovation are in the service of time.”

Sylvie Ritter, Managing Director of Baselworld, described the current environment” gloomy” due to the current economic and political situation, and the consequences for the industry and Baselworld. Ritter said after greeting the attendees as well as the some 3,000 journalists following the press conference on the livestream “the exhibition had felt the uncertainty of some exhibitors among the smaller businesses, those that might not be in a position to prevail in times of low demand in the mid-term.” Ritter underlined Baselworld's response in times of uncertainty: “Not deny reality, but remain optimistic and build the future resolutely moving forward!”

Mr René Kamm, CEO of the MCH Group, opened the event by welcoming all present to the press conference of a “special occasion that marks the start of the one unmissable event for the world’s watch and jewellery industry.” As the MCH Group is celebrating the 100th anniversary of its first show, the Mustermesse Basel (Muba).

Newly appointed President of the Baselworld Exhibitors’ Committee, Mr Eric Bertrand said “despite facing challenge after challenge, the industry has “always bounced back farther and higher.” And Mr Bertrand believes this ability is not achieved by chance, but much rather that, “these successes and achievements are the result of passionate people active in the areas of watchmaking, jewellery and precious stones, who give the best of themselves, their dynamics and their desires to allow people to continue to dream.”

Product Launch

Chopard L.U.C Perpetual Chrono

The new Chopard L.U.C Perpetual Chrono from Chopard combines a hand-wound chronograph and a finely crafted perpetual calendar within an unprecedented L.U.C movement, Calibre 3.10-L. The L.U.C Perpetual Chrono flaunts one of the most sophisticated styles and constructions in the world of Haute Horlogerie, while meeting the highest technical ethical and aesthetic standards. Issued in a “Fairmined” 18-carat white gold 20-piece edition, it is intended for watchmaking connoisseurs and devotees of exceptional objects.

Jaquet Droz Grande Seconde Off-Centered

The Jaquet Droz Grande Seconde Off-Centered is highlighted by a mineral disc cut from onyx, the dial has been polished to a glossy finish. Contrasting the black reflective surface of the minimalist dial, are brushed 18K white gold monoblock chapter rings. Hours and minutes are indicated by polished white gold Lance-shaped hands in the upper dial. And a long baton-shaped hand with an open-tipped counterweight indicates small seconds in the lower dial. The watch is supported with an automatic movement decorated with Côtes de Genève rayonnante , perlage, and a matte frosted skeletonized rotor with an embossed Jaquet Droz logo.

Girard-Perregaux 1966 Skeleton

As the model name suggests, The Girrard-Perregaux 1966 Skeleton is a transparent showstopper. The anti-reflective sapphire crystal case of the new piece reveals the in-house movement GP01800-0006, a mechanical labyrinth comprised of 173 components. Due to its non-existent dial, an outer ring has suspended hour markers. The hand-stitched alligator strap compliments the 38 mm pink gold case.

Harry Winston Premier Moon Phase 36mm

The Harry Winston Premier Moon Phase 36mm is powered by HW5201 quartz movement and displays the lunar cycle, hours, minutes and the date. The moon’s movement can be viewed through a crescent-shaped opening, while the hour and minutes are indicated by beveled hands. The date is indicated at 6 o’clock through an open circle, decorated with a yellow gold border. The mother-of-pearl dial, with its contrasting colors and ornate design motifs, completes the look of the piece beautifully.

Hublot Big Bang Unico Sapphire Automatic Flyback Chronograph

The Hublot Big Bang Unico Sapphire automatic flyback chronograph is the first new release in anticipation of Baselworld 2016. The case middle, bezel, and case back were all cut out of blocks of sapphire crystal, which is scratch resistant and is almost as hard as diamonds. Titanium was used for smaller elements, including the screws, crown (additionally molded with silicon), and the deployant buckle. Overall the watch measures 45 mm in diameter. The skeletonized dial is made of transparent resin and features the automatic Unico HUB1242 flyback chronograph movement.

Carl F. Bucherer Patravi TravelTec in Black

Carl F. Bucherer’s triple-time-zone chronograph watch, the TravelTec, gets a matte-black makeover at Baselworld 2016. Previously available in steel and rose-gold variations, the newest version of the Carl F. Bucherer Patrvai TravelTec features a scratch-resistant black DLC coating. Inside the case — whose 50-meter water-resistance is enabled by a solid, elaborately engraved caseback and screw-down crown — beats Carl F. Bucherer’s automatic chronograph Caliber CFB 1901.1, which is chronometer-certified and carries a 42-hour power reserve. The front of the case, which is 15.5 mm thick, is fitted with a sapphire crystal that has a non-reflective treatment on both sides.

Czapek Quai des Bergues

Czapek Quai des Bergues is the first collection released by Czapek & Cie in the memory of François Czapek the famous Polish watchmaker. The Quai des Bergues is now officially unveiled, the first family of six models that will perpetuate the Czapek style and will be perfectly integrated into the haute horlogerie segment. The watch is inspired from pocket watch with the reference number 3430, manufactured by François Czapek in Geneva around 1850.

Chronode, the Le Locle-based company of Jean-François Mojon, developed the Czapek SXH1, and haute horlogerie mechanical calibre with 29 jewels. The manually-wound movement has two barrel springs and runs at a rate of 21,600 vibrations per hour, which translates as 3 Hertz. It boasts a power reserve of 168 hours, or seven days. The case, manufactured by LAB in La Chaux-de-Fonds, comes in rose gold or white gold, titanium, or in "XO" steel, a material that is ultra-resistant to corrosion and has never been used in watchmaking before.

Movado Goes Smart

Movado Group announces the expansion of its collaboration with HP Inc. to bring smartwatch technology to its brand portfolio. The Movado brand launched one of its first connected timepieces, Movado BOLD Motion, with HP Inc. in 2015 and will introduce new styles for both men and women at the Baselworld Fair.

Ricardo Quintero, President Movado said that the collaboration with HP enables the group to increase market share in the wearable technology sector with the introduction of striking timepieces enhanced with leading-edge technology. HP understands our vision of what consumers need and want.

Movado Group, Inc. designs, manufactures, and distributes Movado, EBEL, Concord, Coach, HUGO BOSS, Lacoste, Juicy Couture, Tommy Hilfiger, and Scuderia Ferrari brand watches worldwide.

Movado Group's new smartwatch collections will be launched in North America, Canada and Europe with over 25 new skus for both men and women starting at a retail price of $195.00.

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