Watch and jewelery fair
The BASELWORLD is the largest and most important watch and jewelery fair in the world. It takes place each spring at Basel.
The fair carries the name BASELWORLD since 2003.
Swatch Group announced in 2018 that they would no longer attend Baselworld with any of their brands, and the show has been reduced by one day. In 2019 it was announced that SIHH and BaselWorld would be held in successive weeks in April.
The Basel Fair began in 1917 as the Schweizer Mustermesse Basel (MUBA), and included Swiss watch Manufacturers for the first time in 1925. In 1931, a dedicated pavilion was added for watches, known as the Schweizer Uhrenmesse.
In 1973, the first Europäische Uhren und Schmuckmesse (EUSM or “European Watch, Clock and Jewellery Fair”) was held within the MUBA. This is usually considered to be the first in the series of Watch fairs in Basel, and future events were numbered from this year. The Mustermesse Basel changed its name to BASEL in 1983 and became an independent entity specifically focused on watches, clocks, and jewelry in 1994. In 1986, BASEL was opened to brands from outside Europe for the first time. The show was renamed Baselworld in 2003.
In 2020, before the global pandemic, many brands announced that they would no longer be involved in Baselworld. This was made worse as the show was postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic and ultimately cancelled. It was re-launched as a “year-round marketing and communications platform” but the in-person show was re-launched later that year as HourUniverse.
April 11-21, 1931
The first Swiss Watch Fair was held inside Hall 1 at the larger Swiss Industries Fair. 57 watch and clock companies exhibited that year.
April 2-12, 1932
Although the industry was feeling the effects of the Great Depression, 61 companies participated in the second Swiss Watch Fair at Basel.
March 25-April 4, 1933
51 watch companies exhibited at the Swiss Watch Fair in 1933.
April 7-17, 1934
31 watch companies exhibited at the Swiss Watch Fair in 1934.
March 30-April 9, 1935
31 watch, jewelry, and associated companies exhibited at the Swiss Watch Fair in 1935.
April 18-28, 1936
32 watch, jewelry, and associated companies exhibited at the Swiss Watch Fair in 1936.
April 3-13, 1937
41 watch companies associated companies exhibited at the Swiss Watch Fair in 1937.
March 26-April 5, 1938
44 watch companies and 11 associated companies exhibited at the Swiss Watch Fair in 1938.
March 18-28, 1939
48 watch companies and 9 associated companies exhibited at the Swiss Watch Fair in 1939.
March 30-April 9, 1940
38 watch companies and 11 associated companies exhibited at the 10th Swiss Watch Fair in 1940.
April 19-29, 1941
Just 39 companies exhibited at the Swiss Watch Fair in 1941, with most major watchmakers absent due to the war.
April 18-28, 1942
65 watch companies and 19 associated companies participated in the 12th Swiss Watch Fair in 1942.
May 1-11, 1943
71 watch companies and 24 associated companies exhibited at the 13th Swiss Watch Fair in 1943.
April 22-May 2, 1944
81 watch companies and 23 associated companies exhibited at the 24th Swiss Watch Fair.
April 14-24, 1945
May 4-14, 1946
112 watch companies and 27 additional companies associated with the industry exhibited at the 26th Basel Watch Fair.
April 12-22, 1947
As the Swiss industry rebounded from the war, 117 watch companies exhibited at the 27th Swiss Watch Fair, along with 37 associated companies.
April 7-17, 1951
The 21st Swiss Watch Fair was the first with 150 exhibitors.
Coverage of the 22nd Swiss Watch Fair tells us that it included a range of models, some with new complications for date, day, month, and moon phase, power reserve, alarm (no doubt a reference to the Vulcain Cricket), as well as automatic and waterproof models. Contemporary reports focused on Rolex and in particular the Oysterdate with date window at 3:00, as well as their ladies models.
149 makers of watches, clocks, and alarm timepieces exhibited in 1954. Also exhibiting were 7 horological press companies, 14 jewelry makers, 5 makers of watchmaking materials, 11 makers of watchmaking supplies, and 11 clock companies.
May 8-18, 1954
April 16-26, 1955 152 makers of watches, clocks, and alarm timepieces exhibited in 1955. Also exhibiting were 7 horological press companies, 14 jewelry makers, 4 makers of watchmaking materials, 13 makers of watchmaking supplies, and 11 clock companies.
April 14-24, 1956
157 makers of watches, clocks, and alarm timepieces exhibited in 1956. Also exhibiting were 8 horological press companies, 15 jewelry makers, 4 makers of watchmaking materials, 10 makers of watchmaking supplies, and 11 clock companies.
April 27-May 7, 1957
158 makers of watches, clocks, and alarm timepieces exhibited in 1957. Also exhibiting were 8 horological press companies, 15 jewelry makers, 4 makers of watchmaking materials, 13 makers of watchmaking supplies, and 10 clock companies.
April 12-22, 1958
157 makers of watches, clocks, and alarm timepieces exhibited in 1958. Also exhibiting were 8 horological press companies, 15 jewelry makers, 4 makers of watchmaking materials, 11 makers of watchmaking supplies, and 9 clock companies.
April 11-21, 1959
157 makers of watches, clocks, and alarm timepieces exhibited in 1959. Also exhibiting were 7 horological press companies, 15 jewelry makers, 4 makers of watchmaking materials, 11 makers of watchmaking supplies, and 9 clock companies.
April 23-May 3, 1960
158 makers of watches, clocks, and alarm timepieces exhibited in 1960. Also exhibiting were 6 horological press companies, 14 jewelry makers, 4 makers of watchmaking materials, 11 makers of watchmaking supplies, and 11 clock companies.
April 15-25, 1961
160 makers of watches, clocks, and alarm timepieces exhibited in 1961. Also exhibiting were 5 horological press companies, 14 jewelry makers, 5 makers of watchmaking materials, 11 makers of watchmaking supplies, and 10 clock companies.
March 31-April 10, 1962
156 makers of watches, clocks, and alarm timepieces exhibited in 1962. Also exhibiting were 5 horological press companies, 14 jewelry makers, 7 makers of watchmaking materials, 12 makers of watchmaking supplies, and 10 clock companies.
April 20-30, 1963
177 makers of watches, clocks, and alarm timepieces exhibited in 1963. Also exhibiting were 1 horological press company, 12 jewelry makers, 12 makers of watchmaking materials, 17 makers of watchmaking supplies, and 11 clock companies.
April 11-21, 1964
175 makers of watches, clocks, and alarm timepieces exhibited in 1964. Also exhibiting were 4 horological press companies, 11 jewelry makers, 9 makers of watchmaking tools and materials, 16 makers of watchmaking supplies, and 8 clock companies.
April 24-May 4, 1965
174 makers of watches, clocks, and alarm timepieces exhibited in 1965. Also exhibiting were 4 horological press companies, 12 jewelry makers, 8 makers of watchmaking tools and materials, 15 makers of watchmaking supplies, and 11 clock companies.
50th anniversary, April 16-26, 1966
184 makers of watches, clocks, and alarm timepieces exhibited in 1966. Also exhibiting were 5 horological press companies, 12 jewelry makers, 8 makers of watch accessories, 17 makers of miscellaneous watchmaking supplies, and 11 clock companies.
April 15-25, 1967
181 makers of watches, clocks, and alarm timepieces exhibited in 1967. Also exhibiting were 5 horological press companies, 12 jewelry makers, 11 makers of watch accessories, 20 makers of miscellaneous watchmaking supplies, and 10 clock companies.
April 20-30, 1968
177 makers of watches, clocks, and alarm timepieces exhibited in 1968. Also exhibiting were 5 horological press companies, 12 jewelry makers, 14 makers of watch accessories, 27 makers of miscellaneous watchmaking supplies, and 9 clock companies.
April 12-22, 1969
215 makers of watches, clocks, and alarm timepieces exhibited in 1969. Also exhibiting were 5 horological press companies, 16 jewelry makers, 16 makers of watch accessories, 33 makers of miscellaneous watchmaking supplies, and 12 clock companies.
April 11-21, 1970
242 makers of watches, clocks, and alarm timepieces exhibited in 1970. Also exhibiting were 8 horological press companies, 14 jewelry makers, 29 makers of watch accessories, 38 makers of miscellaneous watchmaking supplies, and 13 clock companies.
April 7-17, 1971
232 makers of watches, clocks, and alarm timepieces exhibited in 1971. Also exhibiting were 9 horological press companies, 15 jewelry makers, 41 makers of watch accessories, 49 makers of miscellaneous watchmaking supplies, and 13 clock companies.
April 15-25, 1972
255 Swiss makers of watches, clocks, and alarm timepieces exhibited in 1972. Also exhibiting were 8 horological press companies, 15 jewelry makers, 25 makers of watch accessories, and 37 makers of miscellaneous watchmaking supplies.
This was the first year that other European watch companies attended the Basel Fair. It was well-attended by French and German watch companies in particular. This fair included mechanical digital watches, electric watches, tuning fork, and various types of quartz movements.
April 7-17, 1973 The watch fair was officially separate from the rest of the Basel Fair. This is considered the first Basel Watch Fair.
267 Swiss makers of watches, clocks, and alarm timepieces exhibited in 1973. Additionally, 34 French, 49 German, 3 Italian, 11 British, and 4 Benelux watch makers exhibited.
March 30-April 8, 1974
245 Swiss makers of watches, clocks, and alarm timepieces exhibited in 1974. Additionally, 11 French, 67 German, 5 Italian, 5 Dutch, 2 British, 1 Belgian, and 1 Austrian watch makers exhibited.
April 12-21, 1975
249 Swiss makers of watches, clocks, and alarm timepieces exhibited in 1975. Additionally, 73 German, 5 Italian, 5 Dutch, 1 Belgian, and 1 Austrian watch makers exhibited. The Chambre Française de l'Horlogerie was represented by 34 watch companies, 6 “horologers”, and 3 other members, while the British Clock & Watch Manufacturers' Association included 15 companies.
April 24-May 3, 1976
262 Swiss makers of watches exhibited in 1976. Additionally, 69 German, 48 French, 11 Italian, 8 British, 1 Dutch, 1 Belgian, and 1 Portuguese watch makers exhibited.
April 16-25, 1977
272 Swiss makers of watches exhibited in 1977. Additionally, 73 German, 43 French, 10 Italian, 3 British, and 1 Spanish watch makers exhibited.
April 15-24, 1978
280 Swiss makers of watches exhibited in 1978. Additionally, 70 German, 40 French, 6 Italian, 6 British, 1 Belgian, 1 Portuguese, and 2 Spanish watch makers exhibited.
April 21-May 1, 1979
293 Swiss makers of watches exhibited in 1979. Additionally, 65 German, 41 French, 7 Italian, 3 British, and 2 Spanish watch makers exhibited.
April 19-28, 1980
301 Swiss makers of watches exhibited in 1980. Additionally, 115 German, 48 French, 11 Italian, 17 British, 5 Dutch, 2 Austrian, and 1 Belgian watch makers exhibited.
April 25-May 4, 1981
April 17-26, 1982
April 16-25, 1983, the last time the Watch fair was held at the same time as the Swiss Industries Fair
April 5-12, 1984, the first time the Watch fair is held independently of the MUBA.
April 11-18, 1985
April 23-30, 1987
April 18-25, 1991
April 4-11, 1992
April 22-29, 1993
This was the first year that the new SIHH, just three years old, would attract major brands like Cartier, Piaget, Baume & Mercier, Yves Saint-Laurent, Gerald Genta, and Frank Muller to Geneva. Omega returned to Basel to occupy the space left vacant.
April 14-21, 1994
April 26-May 3, 1995
April 18-25, 1996
Press conference April 9, Public opening April 10-17, 1997
Press day, April 21, Public opening, April 22-29, 1998
April 29-May 6, 1999
March 23-30, 2000
April 4-11, 2002
April 3-10, 2003
This edition of BaselWorld proved controversial, as watchmakers from Asia (primarily Hong Kong, but also China, Singapore, and Vietnam_ were relocated to Zurich and thus largely overlooked. The decision was reversed the next year after the threat of a major lawsuit. The fair also suffered due to the SARS epidemic.
April 15-22, 2004
This was the year of tourbillons, including multi-tourbillon models from Greubel Forsey, Hysek, and Thomas Prescher as well as single tourbillon s from Blancpain, Bulgari, Gérald Charles (with Antoine Preziuso), IWC, Jaquet Droz, Movado, Parmigiani Fleurier, Piaget, and Zenith.
March 31-April 7, 2005
March 30-April 6, 2006
April 12-19, 2007
April 3-10, 2008
March 26-April 2, 2009
March 18-25, 2010
March 24-31, 2011
March 8-15, 2012
April 25-May 2, 2013
March 27-April 3, 2014
March 19-26, 2015
March 17-24, 2016
Notable introductions at Baselworld 2016 include the following
March 23-30, 2017
Notable introductions at Baselworld 2017 include the following
March 21-26, 2019
Notable introductions at Baselworld 2019 include the following
To date – 2020 to 2022 inclusive – BaselWorld has not taken place again.