Maybe when they announce a watch release for 2019 it will actually be available within the year...
Anyone with some water-cooler theories on how it might play out and what it means for Basel World and Swatch Group?
I think one of the problems is also because so many brands are releasing their watches all at the same time, it's hard to get noticed for some. Everything these days is blogged and reviewed so much that the brands don't necessarily need the formal "watch press" to show people what they are making as much as they did in the past.
For Swatch group it's money in their pockets - I expect they will simply keep the money that they would have spent on this show for the most part. There are far more cost effective means of getting the word out about your products, like the emails I get from Omega that seem to come several times a week these days...
For BW I think this is to be expected really, and not because of the gouging that has been referred to, although I'm sure that's a small contributor. Basel has changed a lot in even just the last 10-15 years or so. What used to be an event that had zero leaks before the show (I recall some leaks on forums caused a huge controversy back then, as agreements not to show things before the show were violated) has turned into a show where pretty much every brand has shown the majority of their watches well before the show even starts. There are some exceptions of course, but many brands simply don't wait for the show anymore.
There was a time when I would stay up late waiting for the new models to start appearing, but these days the show goes by and I basically don't notice it - BW has been losing it's cachet for a long time in my view. I think one of the problems is also because so many brands are releasing their watches all at the same time, it's hard to get noticed for some. Everything these days is blogged and reviewed so much that the brands don't necessarily need the formal "watch press" to show people what they are making as much as they did in the past.
My thoughts anyway...
Totally agree. These days a single Hodinkee article is probably just as effective an advertisement as Basel, if not more so. Why spend millions showcasing your collection at Basel when you can just build hype via social media and watch blogs?
Totally agree. These days a single Hodinkee article is probably just as effective an advertisement as Basel, if not more so. Why spend millions showcasing your collection at Basel when you can just build hype via social media and watch blogs?
Is advertising is the primary goal of a fair like Baselworld for a watch brand?
I would have thought it’s more about the opportunity of having retailers, influencers, bloggers, customers, other important (for the brand) people from all around the globe at one place and within a short period of time to showcase the novelties and fill the pipeline.
Is advertising is the primary goal of a fair like Baselworld for a watch brand?
I would have thought it’s more about the opportunity of having retailers, influencers, bloggers, customers, other important (for the brand) people from all around the globe at one place and within a short period of time to showcase the novelties and fill the pipeline.
I think Swatch Group/Omega should funnel the budget into providing Speedy owners a ride on Blue Origin or Virgin Galactic. I can see it now, going up into space with your Speedmaster on your wrist? Heck.....who needs to keep their feet on terra firma watching Breitling's Jet team when you can strap your Silver Snoopy on your wrist and go into space. 😁
Totally agree. These days a single Hodinkee article is probably just as effective an advertisement as Basel, if not more so. Why spend millions showcasing your collection at Basel when you can just build hype via social media and watch blogs?
