BASELWORLD opens amid recovery in Swiss watch exports
BASEL, Switzerland, March 27, 2014 – BASELWORLD, a leading watches and jewellery fair, opened against a backdrop of improving Swiss watch exports, and showcased dynamic product and display innovations.
Photo:Baselworld
With exports worth 22 billion Swiss francs, the watch industry is vital for the Swiss economy.
Francois Thiebaud, president of the Swiss Exhibitors’ Committee, said that during the first two months of 2014, exports rose by 6.8 percent.
This was significantly higher than the growth of 1.9 percent in 2013.
Rolex, one of the world’s leading Swiss luxury brands, unveiled several impressive timepieces at BASELWORLD 2014.
Photo:Baselworld
They include new models in its emblematic Oyster collection, and an entirely new range of watches in its Cellini collection, offering a contemporary interpretation of the traditional dress watch.
One standout among the 12 classically-inspired, automatic, 39-mm models in the new Cellini collection is the elegant Cellini Dual Time in 18 ct Everose gold.
Graff Diamonds debuted at BASELWORLD 2014 with an impressive array of bejewelled watches, featuring some fascinating product innovations.
Graff Diamonds unveiled the MasterGraff Grand Date Dual Time Tourbillon, incorporating three magnificent complications for the first time: a flying tourbillon, dual time function and a grand date.
Photo:Baselworld
Graff Diamonds also launched its first women’s technical timepiece: the Graff Icon Automatic.
Patek Philippe marked its presence at BASELWORLD 2014 with a new stand.
The transparent and luminous pavilion stems from the concept of a huge transparent glass shield.
Although it remains in its usual location in Hall 1.0, its total area now encompasses 1,500 square metres on three levels, up from 955 square metres previously.