SWITZERLAND. Rolex, Patek Philippe, Chanel, Chopard and Tudor have announced plans to quit the long-running Baselworld show to create a new watch trade fair in Geneva with the Fondation de la Haute Horlogerie.
The move looks set to threaten the status of Baselworld (run by MCH Group) as the world’s leading watches & jewellery show. In 2018, one of its traditionally largest exhibitors, Swatch Group, pulled out, citing differences with MCH Group over the direction of the event.
The new event, which has yet to be named, will run in early April 2021 at Palexpo, Geneva, and will be connected to Watches & Wonders, which is organised by the Fondation de la Haute Horlogerie (behind which the Richemont Group is a major driver).
A strong statement issued today by the brands said their departure “follows a number of unilateral decisions made without consultation by Baselworld management, including the postponement of the watch show until January 2021, as well as its inability to meet the brands’ needs and expectations”.
Jean-Frédéric Dufour, CEO of Rolex and Board Member at Tudor, said: “We have taken part in Baselworld since 1939. Unfortunately, given the way the event has evolved and the recent decisions made by MCH Group, and in spite of the great attachment we had to this watch show, we have decided to withdraw. Following discussions initiated by Rolex, it seemed only natural to create a new event with partners that share our vision and our endless, unwavering support for the Swiss watchmaking sector. This will allow us to present our new watches in line with our needs and expectations, to join forces and better defend the interests of the industry.”
Patek Philippe President Thierry Stern said: “The decision to leave Baselworld was not an easy one to take for me, being the fourth generation of the Stern family to participate to this traditional yearly event. But life evolves constantly, things change and people change as well, whether it is at the level of those responsible for the watch fair organisation, the brands or the clients.
“We constantly have to adapt ourselves, question what we do, since what was right yesterday may not necessarily be valid today. Today Patek Philippe is not in line with Baselworld’s vision anymore, there have been too many discussions and unsolved problems, trust is no longer present. We need to answer the legitimate needs of our retailers, the clients and the press from around the world.
“They have to be able to discover the new models from Swiss watchmakers each year, at one time, in one place, and this in the most professional manner possible. That is why, following several discussions with Rolex and in agreement with other participating brands, we have decided to create, all together, a unique event in Geneva, representative of our savoir-faire.”
Frédéric Grangié, President of Chanel Watches & Fine Jewellery, said: “This exhibition will allow us to present all of our new creations in an environment that meets our high-quality standards.”
Karl-Friedrich Scheufele, Co-President Chopard et Cie, said: “Chopard first exhibited at the Basel fair in 1964 with a stand of some 25sq m. After careful consideration, our family decided to support the Rolex initiative and retire from Baselworld – a painful decision. The creation of this new watch show in Geneva, in parallel to Watches & Wonders, will allow us to better serve our watchmaking partners and our customers. Through the alliance, these grandes maisons will also be able to collaborate in promoting the values and best interests of Swiss watchmaking.”
Richemont CEO Jérôme Lambert, speaking on behalf of the Fondation de la Haute Horlogerie Council, said: “The Fondation de la Haute Horlogerie is delighted to welcome a new salon which will strengthen the historical Watches & Wonders event in Geneva next year.”
As reported, Baselworld 2020 was postponed to next January due to the COVID-19 outbreak.
