How the key jewelry-watch exhibitions are dealing with the crisis of 2020: current mood and situation.
The pandemic of COVID-19, which took over the world this year, has put an end to Baselworld, as well as Watch&Wonders (which is SIHH, except in a new look). However, one of the expositions is not doing so well now, while the second one is demonstrating collective solidarity and presenting some novelties of this year online (watchesandwonders.com), which has temporarily put the physical space of Palexpo to a web.
What about Baselworld?
At the same time, more than a hundred-year history created within the walls of Messe Basel, a massive flow of the visitors, kilometers of showcases, offering a view of jewelry that costs tens of thousands of the Swiss francs, in its original look, has unfortunately sunk into the oblivion. The beginning of the end was triggered by a group of 18 brands, which were a part of the Swatch Group, which lasted painfully long. The agony ended with a full loss of the MCH Group that was responsible for the area management: in April, the oldest members — Rolex and Patek Philippe, as well as Chopard, Chanel, and Tudor parted from Basel. The brands were also joined by the brands of LVHM, which resulted in the first pavilion becoming empty. The reason behind this mass demarche is simple - money: besides the irrelevant prices for the squared meters, there was another factor added. It is the inflexibility of the lessors, who promised the most loyal from the remaining clients to return only 30% of the paid-in amount (in case if they would not agree to postpone the payment for the next year). As a result, the old-timers left the exhibition, coldly announcing it during an official press-release. In the support group of the administration, there were only small brands left (which, perhaps, wanted to escape as well, but they are fully hobbled).
As a result, the old-timers left the exhibition, coldly announcing it during an official press-release, and in the support group of the administration stayed not so many brands.
Hope is alive
During spring, the exhibitions were suffering from the growing number of restrictions due to the pandemic of coronavirus. When there was still hope, the organizers announced new dates almost every week, moving them closer to summer. New, unexpected events appeared, which were supposed to be an addition to the exhibitions in Geneva. As a result, however, the pacesetters of the ticking lux tailed away completely. The long-term plans are to get through the summer and, possibly, through the fall as well.
Nevertheless, at the end of May, some information on the Internet from half-official sources appeared, reporting that the head of the MCH Group registered the name Swiss Watch Week and reserved the exhibition center in Lausanne for the April of the next year. It's only 60 km from the Watches&Wonders, but who could predict in today's situation? Thus, we are waiting for the news and hoping for the best.