Baselworld will be held from Apr 30 to May 5 in 2020. (Photo: Baselworld)
So it wasn’t a rumour after all. In 2020, the Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie (SIHH) will be held from April 26 to 29 in Geneva, followed immediately by Baselworld from April 30 to May 5 in Basel. The calendars have been synchronised until 2024.
Why is this good news for the industry? SIHH, dominated by Richemont brands including Vacheron Constantin, Piaget, Jaeger-LeCoultre and Cartier, has always taken place in January, while Baselworld in March. This meant that the professionals, press and clients shared by large watchmaking brands would have to travel to Switzerland twice in the space of just a few weeks to see the new introductions from the major brands. Now, they can travel to the trade fairs back to back between the two shows.
Fabienne Lupo, President and Managing Director of the Fondation de la Haute Horlogerie, which organises SIHH, stated: “Our two events have always been different, yet complementary. Resynching with Baselworld will further confirm Switzerland as the foremost destination for watchmaking in the world. This is something we welcome wholeheartedly, as it is in the interests of all.”
“Baselworld and the SIHH are working for the industry and its clients. We have sought dialogue with the SIHH and together have found a solution, which benefits visitors, the media, and the entire watchmaking industry enormously”, declared Michel Loris-Melikoff, Managing Director of Baselworld. “This partnership between the two most prominent exhibitions in the industry represents a major breakthrough for the future.”
On a side note, The Swatch Group — Baselworld’s largest exhibitor with 16 brands, which pulled out of Baselworld 2019 — has not decided if it will return now the dates have been consolidated.
Stay tuned for updates.
For 2019, SIHH will take place from Jan 14 to19; Baselworld, Mar 21 to 26. To find out more about the date consolidation, click here.
