Baselworld Watch and Jewellery Show is a trade show of the international watch and jewellery industry, organized each spring in the city of Basel, Switzerland.
It comprises about 2,100 exhibitors from over 45 countries, including the leading watch and jewelry brands, as well as companies specializing in precious gems. The show attracts over 94,000 visitors.
The history of the show dates back to 1917 with the opening of the first Schweizer Mustermesse Basel (muba), of which a section was devoted to watches and jewellery.
1925 muba invited several watch manufacturers
1931 the Schweizer Uhrenmesse (Swiss Watch Show) was first held in a dedicated pavilion.
After 1972’s Europe’s meeting place exhibition, companies from France, Italy, Germany, and the United Kingdom were also invited.
1983 the show changed its name to BASEL and two numerals denoting the exhibition year, e.g., BASEL 83.
1986, companies from outside Europe were included for the first time, reflecting the increased number of visitors from outside Europe.
1995 the show was renamed to BASEL 95 – The World Watch, Clock and Jewellery Show.
1999, a new hall with 36,000 square meters exhibition space was added. The year 2000 saw an increase of 6 per cent in trade visitors.
2003 the show was again renamed to Baselworld, The Watch and Jewellery Show.
2004, with the introduction of a new hall complex, the exhibition area extended to 160,000 square meters, attracting more than 89,000 visitors.
