The 2018 edition of Baselworld ended on 27th March after six days as compared to the eightday format earlier. From last year’s 1300 exhibitors, this year’s edition had 600+ exhibitors. However, the organizers claimed 8 per cent increase in the number of professional visitors attending the show on the first two days compared to last year.

At the closing press conference, Baselworld’s managing director Sylvie Ritter summarized that this year’s edition proved to be successful. An overwhelming majority of the exhibitors reported very satisfactory business results, stated the organizer press release. It further stated that the new format, fewer exhibitors and shorter duration, were positively received. Baselworld is known to provide a stage on which the leading companies in the jewellery and gemstone industries can unveil their newest creations and their most precious rarities in front of a global audience. All leading brands will be reportedly exhibiting at Baselworld 2019. The press release further mentioned that definitive commitments have been received from Rolex, Swatch Group, Patek Phillippe, LVMH, Chopard, Breitling, Chanel and many other brands.

At the time of opening ceremony, René Kamm, Chief Executive Officer of the MCH Group, cordially welcomed Swiss Federal Councillor Doris Leuthard and all of the other guests to the ceremony. Kamm emphasized that Baselworld is currently undergoing a process of transformation, but in its core, Baselworld will remain what it has always been: “A unique meeting place for the best in the industry.”

DW Picks Top Watches
OMEGA
OMEGA showcased many exciting new timepieces at Baselworld this year. This year, the iconic Seamaster Diver 300M celebrates 25 years with a range of updated models. Besides, there were other anniversaries and new collections to explore - from the new Trésor to a spaceinspired Speedmaster. However, it was difficult to take eyes off the Seamaster Aqua Terra Jewellery watch. The new design is a perfect mix of captivating design and radiant jewels. Along with a 38 mm 18K Sedna™ gold case, this timepiece takes the craftsmanship of precious materials even further, with a diamond-paved bezel, 12 marquise-cut red rubies for indexes, and 191 diamonds on the dial.

CARL F. BUCHERER
The famous watchmaker once again impressively demonstrated its innovative capacity with the introduction of the new Manero Tourbillon Double Peripheral. This watch an elegant and exclusive timepiece that features the globally unique CFB T3000 manufacture caliber. The uniqueness of the complication is honored in the timepiece’s appearance: the tourbillon floats prominently at 12 o’clock. With a diameter of 43 millimeters, the classically round case made from 18K rose gold provides a harmonious and elegant setting for the new CFB T3000 manufacture movement, which has been developed entirely in-house by Carl F. Bucherer.

GRAFF
Graff’s Floral Tourbillon collection of watches elegantly demonstrates the brand’s fascination for flowers and floral designs. This romantic and feminine design combines all of the world’s most complex métiers d’art techniques: enamel painting, micro-painting and extraordinarily intricate diamond setting. Available in four distinct colourways, pink, blue, purple and white; each of these timepieces displays a distinct persona – ranging from the calm, serene tones of the blue dial, to the fiery, passionate hues upon the pink dial – reflecting the myriad personalities of our female clientele.

PATEK PHILIPPE
The brand presented a collection of rare handcrafted timepieces at Baselworld. More than fifty remarkable creations that pay tribute to a broad palette of exquisite artisanal skills were showcased. Manual engraving, cloisonné enamel, miniature painting on enamel or wood micro-marquetry, discover all the limited editions and one-of-a-kind pieces that reflect eclectic sources of inspiration and combine technical prowess with remarkable creativity.

GIBERG
Andreas Altmann, the Swiss designer revealed his first timekeeping piece at Baselworld, an elegant ode to femininity with a delicate, Russian-inspired name: Niura. The focal point of this miniature artwork is the manufacture calibre created especially for, and by, the brand. This doublebarrel flying tourbillon ensures unwavering time-keeping precision. Encrusted with 2,156 diamonds, this dazzling watch is a nod to a glorious age in which jewellery fused both art and breath-taking beauty, mirroring the lifestyles of the times.

STENZHORN
This year, Stenzhorn took up a frosty but sparkling theme called ICE ZEIT. The ICE ZEIT collection is an explosion of diamonds in brilliant, baguette and carré cut. The diamonds are captured in the Invisible Setting and arranged by a technique specially developed by Stenzhorn (2nd Skin), so that, for example, the necklace wears like a second skin. One of the highlights of the collection is the necklace “Storm”, which was created in 2nd skin technique from brilliant and baguette diamonds.

CHOPARD
The Happy Hearts line embraces the heart as a symbolic motif of the Happy Diamonds collection, interpreting it with playful creativity. These timeless pendant earrings in 18K rose gold shines with elegant hearts in natural white mother-of-pearl and diamondset, with a single moving diamond that dances in a sparkling celebration of love. Precious expression of the moment of happiness, the Happy Hearts line represents the modern-day talisman - true token of love and free-spirited women.

ROBERTO COIN
Brand author of many trends, Roberto Coin’s creations are considered exclusive mix of imagination, creativity and aesthetic sensitivity, true works of art. Here’s a Siberian Tigers Limited Edition ring in 18K white gold with colourless and black diamonds, pink sapphires and enamel. The highest manufacturing art and the unmistakable creativity of Roberto Coin meet once again to give life to The Siberian Tigers. Supreme examples of beauty and force, these sculpture jewels are dedicated to the elegance, sensuality and power that every woman has inside.

TAMARA COMOLLI
German-born designer Tamara Comolli stands for precious jewellery with a twist. The Mikado Flamenco bracelet, a captivating masterpiece of vibrant gemstone acorns set in rose gold. The carefully selected gemstones and the unique colour harmony make it to one of the most stunning jewellery pieces.

SOUL CAROUSEL BY REENA AHLUWALIA
The ‘Soul Carousel’ is top on fashion, colourful, interactive and interchangeable jewellery collection. This new line is Reena’s partnership with Aaron Shum Jewelry and Swarovski. The natural diamond jewellery pieces are patented and have multi-layered, spinning forms that can easily be detached to be worn in multipleways. The collection is an explosion of colour, and uses Swarovski® Created Stones in a hyper-energized rainbow palette. The collection has a worldwide patent and design copyright. The designer has used a combination of natural diamonds with Swarovski® Created Stones to add a punch of colour, volume and provide an unmatchable price point to retailers worldwide.

NANIS
Dancing Reverse Collection earrings are crafted in 18K gold and are studded in London Blue Topaz, sapphires and diamonds. The collection has earrings and rings that give a nod, with their possible asymmetry, to the play of mirrors that completes refined double face outfits. These are the jewels with double-faced aspect which alternate large natural stones and pavé in different colours, with unique and surprising details.

MATTIA CIELO
At Baselworld 2018 jeweller Mattia Cielo aimed to reassert the outstanding features of its high-end creations through what is, and will doubtless remain the signature collection, the so often imitated but never equalled Rugiada. A big jewel was featured at the entrance to the new stand at Baselworld 2018, where the entire collection can be admired in all the external showcases. The ultimate highlight was a “one-off” outstanding 16-turn bracelet.

FOPE
The FOPE gold newness revolve around Flex’it, the international success it invented and patented in its own factory in Vicenza, Italy. These Flex’it bracelets are entirely made of 18K gold and are stretchable thanks to dozens of gold springs hidden between each link.

K DI KUORE
K di Kuore introduced “Elegance” it’s another brand new collection. Here the polished gold is mixed with the tubogas giving rise to a timeless classic. It’s a sophisticated jewel but, at the same time, it’s wearable every day.