The mood among the 441 Swiss exhibitors at this year’s BaselWorld was positive, despite the uncertain economic situation across Europe. Based on sales figures for the first eight weeks of the year, plus the business generated at the show, the industry can expect a third consecutive year of growth which could see exports exceed the 20 billion Swiss franc mark for the first time.

In addition to a number of significant innovations in the world of mechanical watchmaking, the 2012 edition of BaselWorld signalled a return to vintage designs and a clear trend towards two-tone models offering combinations of steel and gold.

A total of 104,000 people visited the World Watch and Jewellery Show in Basel this year, which comprised a total of 1815 different exhibitors from 41 countries representing the watch, jewellery, gemstone industries and related fields.

Visitors could already see a first hint of what the exhibition centre will look like next year as fifteen months of construction work are set to begin to comprehensively remodel the exhibition centre ahead of next year’s show, which will start on 25 April 2013.

The next issue of Europa Star (June/July 2012) will carry a detailed report from BaselWorld 2012. In the meantime visit our Watch Gallery to see some of the new models unveiled in Basel this year.