Baselworld 2015 opens its doors to the public today with more than 1,500 brands set to show off some stunning new creations in watches and jewelry to the world.

Billed as the undisputed premier event that unites key players from all sectors of the global watch and jewellery industry under one roof, the show kicked off yesterday in Basel, Switzerland, with an inaugural Press conference attended by more than 4,000 journalists representing print, TV and digital media from every continent.

This year’s Baselworld has more than 1,500 brands from 40 countries in attendance and is expected to attract as many as 150,000 visitors over its eight-day run, according MCH, the show’s organsier.

CEO René Kamm said MCH was was proud have a premium product such as Baselworld and to be able to host “the most important marketplace and trendsetting event for an amazing industry”.

Sylvie Ritter, Managing Director of Baselworld, reiterated Baselworld’s importance as “the one unmissable event for the watch and jewellery sector”.

“Every year 150,000 professionals come here to feel the pulse of the industry, discover new trends and buy the latest creations from the 1,500 brands,” she said. ““This position has to be defended untiringly, that’s why Baselworld moves forward every year, improving convenience and impact, and never ceases to innovate to meet the constantly evolving requirements.” 

Commenting on the state of the market, Ritter said though the industry faced some challenges, the year 2014 had been an “extremely positive one” for watches and jewellery and that “the attractiveness and buzz that this sector creates keeps growing”.

Swiss Exhibitors’ Committee President François Thiébaud said the industry would continue to closely monitor Swiss franc, which has skyrocketed in value following a removal of a cap of 1.2 Swiss francs to the euro in January. 

He revealed that Swiss watch exports in 2014 increased 1.9 per cent in value compared to 2013, reaching a total of CHF22.2 billion ($22.3 billion), and that 2015 has started promisingly with exports in January reaching CHF1.6 billion ($1.61), up 3.7 per cent year on year.

However, despite these good result, forecasts for 2015 have been revised downwards as a result of the deteriorating economic environment, he said.

Arabian Knight is on the floor at Baselworld and will be spotlighting all the latest bling and tomorrow’s trends as they are launched.


VENUE AND SHOW TIMINGS

Baselworld 2015, March 19-26, 2015

Messe Basel, Switzerland

Daily from 9 am to 6 pm (except Thursday, March 26, 9 am to 4 pm).