Rolex, Patek Philippe, Chanel, Chopard and Tudor leave Baselworld.
It was in the air after the exchange of jokes between the Baselworld exhibitors' committee, chaired by a Rolex executive, and the Mch Group. Hubert de Plessix, head of investment at Rolex, on the return to exhibitors of the investment required for the 2020 edition, which was then postponed, had commented: "A full refund would be the best way to encourage exhibitors to participate in a future edition. Otherwise this will be the end, pure and simple, of Baselworld'.
And now, the end it is. With Rolex (and Tudor) go Patek Philippe and Chopard, historical supporters of the fair, and Chanel, which is linked to Tudor by its investment in the Kenissi manufacture.
Four of the most powerful independent watch manufacturers are preparing to organise an event in Geneva, in collaboration with the Fondation de la Haute Horologerie (FHH), already the organiser of Watches & Wonders (formerly Sihh). The new Salon will take place in early April 2021 at the PalaExpo, right at the same time as Watches & Wonders, in the same location.
Needless to say, with Lvmh having already inaugurated its own format - this year in Dubai - of the Lvmh Watch Week and the defection of these last very important names after the others who had already abandoned the Basel event, Baselworld in reference to watchmaking (we are not talking about the jewellery sector) is preparing to close its doors for good. Or to become a small, second-rate event.
