Where the best convene

Every year, professionals and connoisseurs of fine jewelry and watches come together on two key occasions: the Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie in Geneva, in January, and Baselworld in Basel, in March. These two highly prestigious Swiss events define annual trends and are absolute essentials for anyone in the industry.

Who better than the industry professionals, collectors and aficionados of fine, luxury watches to countdown the days until the doors open for 2019’s first major industry trade show? Geneva is first on the annual calendar with its January SIHH taking the stage just a few months before Basel’s traditional show-stopper in March. Trends for 2019 will already take shape in Geneva, powered by each brand’s never-ending quest for creativity and reinvention. Perhaps not all that glitters is gold, but in Switzerland, and especially at these events, the glitter is certainly out and on display in the most beautiful of settings.
Geneva’s 29th annual Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie will take place over four back-to-back days (January 14-17) with extended hours for this edition. The traditional Friday public grand opening will be moved to Thursday this year and complimented by an evening event. It’s a chance to rub shoulders with the best of the watch industry while discovering the newest mechanical innovations and a wide array of incessant activities. One of the most significant new changes is the LAB, which will present the latest technological and digital advancements from brands on display accompanied by start-up developments from within the industry. 18 leading luxury brands will be represented along with 17 independent creators that are part of the Carré des Horlogers.
SIHH has undergone constant evolution over the past three years, shifting deeper into the realms of relationship-building and networking. More than the rigidly-beautiful boutique display of the past, the salon wants to be seen today as a communications platform and an immersive experience, as much for the journalists as for the collectors and visitors. The goal is stay relevant, to remain one of the penultimate luxury watch-making events on the industry’s calendar, and the 2019 edition of the event is expecting around 25,000 visitors- a new record.
A few weeks after SIHH, Basel becomes the epicenter of the watch-making world. The 101st BaselWorld will feature unveilings of the latest designs from all the biggest watch and jewelry brands. So what will make waves in 2019? What great innovation will fascinate the crowds? Brands on display at this annual fair will each have a chance to answer that question for themselves when they reveal their latest timepieces.
The event is also undergoing a transformation as it adapts to the times. The fair says it will be unveiling an attractive new communications platform for brands and the public. Without revealing too many details, it has been called “a new way of thinking” by the event’s latest Director, Michel Loris-Melikoff. Come experience the event for yourself and join the greatest luxury watch and jewelry brands, independent creators, gemologists and a host of other industry providers for the 2019 edition of BaselWorld. One thing is for certain: the event is sure to offer a taste of the finest beauty, elegance and innovation in the industry.

Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie
Geneva, January 14 - 17, 2019
www.sihh.org

Baselworld
Basel, March 21 - 26, 2019
www.baselworld.com