Zenith LVMH Baselworld 2019 Participation Confirmed

Ornatus-Mundi · 2018-10-04T02:20:24Z

Jean-Claude Biver confirms LVMH brands (Zenith, Hublot, TAG Heuer) will attend Baselworld 2019 but demands changes for future. Explore the industry s call for fair reform.

Ornatus-Mundi's post from 2018 highlights the critical juncture Baselworld faced, as LVMH's watch brands, including Zenith, committed to the 2019 fair but demanded significant changes for future participation. This discussion underscores the ongoing tension between traditional watch fair models and the evolving needs of brands, journalists, and enthusiasts. Ornatus-Mundi's insights into Jean-Claude Biver's demands for date adjustments, lower exhibitor costs, and more accessible experiences remain highly relevant for understanding the challenges and transformations within the watch industry's major events.

In an interview given to Swiss business newspaper Handelszeitung, outgoing head of LVMH's watch division Jean-Claude Biver, confirms that the LVMH watch brands Hublot, TAG Heuer and Zenith, won't leave thr troubled annual watch fair in 2019.

A commitment for the time after 2019 however depends on successful negotiations between the fair committee and the watch brands. As key issues Biver cites the date of the fair (it should be moved futher ahead), the admission prices for the exhibtiors be lowered, and this should include the hoteliers as well - as many of the journalists and watch collectors know very well, the prices for accomodation and food skyrocket in Basel during the exhibition time.

Taking a personal view, I find it encouraging to see that the industry is putting pressure on the staid fair management and are demanding change in the right direction. For us watch enthusiasts, a more accessible fair offering more hands-on exposure to the watches would be very much welcome. It would also be a nice opportunity to communicate more, more direct, with the potential customers on the intricacies of fine watchmaking. Done right, I think that fair like Baselworld are not an increasingly obsolete thing of the past.

Whatever the outcome, at least for spring 2019 this here will be a familiar sight:

Kind regards,

Magnus

Key Points from the Discussion

Baselworld was historically valuable for independent watchmakers, offering a relaxed atmosphere for enthusiasts to interact directly with master watchmakers at the AHCI stand.
The experience for enthusiasts at large brand halls (like Hall 1) was often disappointing, with watches poorly displayed and new models frequently absent, making attendance less appealing without press credentials.
There is strong support for making watch fairs more engaging for enthusiasts through seminars, talks, discussions, and hands-on sessions, which would require a fundamental shift in the organizers' approach.

The Discussion

Cpt Scarlet

Oct 4, 2018

The show must go on ...

For some people

BjoernM21

Oct 4, 2018

Would it not also be opportune for the brands to make the show more accessible and fruitful for enthusiasts?

For lovers of the independent watchmaking Baselworld was always a good opportunity to see watches in metal and exchange some words with competent representatives, usually the master watchmaker himself. There is a particularly relaxed atmosphere on the AHCI stand, with its members always available for a discussion. With the big brands (especially those in hall 1), the situation is different and I wonder why an enthusiast should attend the show with what is offered. Peeking inside badly lit small

Ornatus-Mundi

Oct 4, 2018

I support this 100%, Bjoern! There are so many opportunities to make this a relevant event for *us* (seminars, talks, discussions, hands-on sessions... if only there would be the will to change! [nt]

Zenith LVMH Baselworld 2019 Participation Confirmed

Key Points from the Discussion

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