Reflection of the Baselworld Entrance in the Window Panes of a Neighboring Hotel

My Very First Visit to Baselworld

Basel is a city close to the German border with Switzerland and is the host to Baselworld, the largest annual watch and jewelry trade show in the world. Baselworld 2011 was the first year I attended Baselworld.

Baselworld is a must for watch dealers, journalists and enthusiasts alike, as it offers an opportunity to view the latest timepieces and developments in the watch industry. At Baselworld, you can also enjoy a fascinating atmosphere complemented by visitors and exhibitors from all over the world. Small companies and large corporations alike commit to being present at Baselworld every year.

Since I’m living much closer to Basel than when I used to live in Chicago, I decided to take the opportunity to see this amazing watch show. I wanted to visit the fair for two reasons: my interest in mechanical watches and to find new information to use for my watch blog. I didn’t really know what to expect from Baselworld. Moreover, I didn’t know how I could attend it.

I checked the Internet for information. Google was very helpful, and I found what I needed to contact Baselworld administration. While I wasn’t invited to come as a journalist, I nevertheless received a quick reply from Baselworld administration allowing me free access to the fair for the whole duration. What a great surprise, and a pleasant one at that!

One of Several Baselworld Entrances

Walking through the doors of Baselworld, you are greeted a somewhat overwhelming combination of impressions. You see the most famous watch brands in the main hall and feel like you are floating with the masses through a shadow world sidelined with bright lights of logos from Rolex, Patek Philippe, Zenith, and Chopard, as well as the Swatch Group at the end of the first hall. Added to this, I quickly realized that this is not just a regular size fair, it’s the biggest watch fair in the world, and it occupies many halls which you must navigate like a labyrinth. Sometimes it was really tricky to find the right route to take, and how to return. But that was probably me with my particular sense of orientation.

I brought back some fascinating memories experienced at Baselworld:

Long before I went to Basel, I met Sandra Martial from Offshore Limited via Facebook, and I took the opportunity to meet her and her husband at the fair. (Interestingly, this is one of the watch brands currently represented by Gevril Group in the United States.)

I was very impressed to see an enameler paint on an enamel dial at Jaquet Droz. Take a look at these two photos. You see the enameler at his workbench:

Enameler Painting a Dial at Jaquet Droz

And here you see his final product:

Completed Enamel Dial Painting at Jaquet Droz

In addition, I liked the area where the AHCI (Académie Horlogère des Créateurs Indépendants – representing the very best in high-end watchmaking) presented their watchmakers and timepieces and it was a great experience. I ended up having the pleasure to see, touch, and talk with the two Irish McGonigle brothers who explained to me their unique one of a kind timepiece. I have never seen anyone with such passion for watches.

I also saw many brands that I have never before seen or heard of, many small watch manufacturers that make high-end watches, and many companies that deliver mass products, such as the ICE watch.

I spent four days at the Baselworld fair. I had a wonderful time meeting many very interesting people and learning a lot about watches and the watch industry. There’s no question that I’m going to attend Baselworld again in 2012.

About Gevril Group

Gevril Group, directed by company founder and long-time creative force in the watch business, Samuel Friedmann, is the exclusive US agent for well over 30 select European watch brands — distributing and servicing luxury, fashion and sporty timepieces at a wide range of price points.

Additionally, Gevril Group maintains a full-service watch repair department staffed by master Swiss watchmakers. Contact us by email or at 845-425-9882.

Recently, we were very fortunate to obtain images of photos taken inside the glamorous Valentino booth, and we display six of these images here for your enjoyment and appreciation.

Glamorous Interior of Valentino Timeless at Baselworld

 

 

 

If you like Valentino timepieces, you might like Versace watches, as well.

About Gevril Group

Gevril Group, directed by company founder and long-time creative force in the watch business Samuel Friedmann, is the exclusive US representative for 40+ select European watch brands, distributing and servicing luxury, fashion and sporty timepieces at a wide range of price points. Additionally, Group Gevril operates a full-service watch repair department staffed by master Swiss watchmakers. Contact Gevril Group by email or by calling 845-425-9882.

Please subscribe to the Gevril Group newsletter and blog updates. Comments are welcome.

The Baselworld lights and colors penetrate deep within our psyches and evoke strong emotions. The luxury, beauty and glamor of Baselworld are largely a product of its spectacular combination of lights and colors.

Pictured here are the vivid lights and colors of the Versace, Savoy, Invicta and Juicy Couture displays at Baselworld 2011.

 

 

The lights and colors of Baselworld 2011 grow dimmer in our memories but before too long, the bright star of Baselworld will once again reappear on the horizon.

Please Subscribe

Subscribe to the Gevril Group newsletter and weekly blog summary.

Don’t hesitate to comment on this blog post.

Spending Quality Time Outdoors

Roamer is exploring new paths with the TrekkMaster — recently announced at Baselworld — paths away from the well-trodden route.

An altimeter, digital compass, barometer and thermometer make this robust outdoor watch a partner you can really trust on the hardest tours and under the most extreme conditions.

This expedition timepiece opens up new worlds. The Roamer TrekkMaster saves altitude profiles up to 5.6 miles and incorporates a highly accurate temperature sensor and barometer, as well. The unique compass function impresses by showing you the way. When determining direction, the seconds and hours hands on the analogue display slide over one another and point towards the North together. The watch tells you in which direction to go.

An additional special feature of the TrekkMaster is the combination of one analogue and two digital displays, enabling excellent legibility in addition to the range of other features. This watch tells you almost everything with its altitude profile, weather forecast and compass features – wherever you go in the world. Thanks to the second time zone display, you always have the local time and your home country time on hand. The sporty design, as well as the chronograph and alarm functions, make this special multi-function watch just as useful in everyday life.

The TrekkMaster is 47 milimeters in diameter and comes with a rotating bezel and robust case, available in stainless steel or PVD-coated stainless steel. The TrekkMaster is the “adventurer” among Roamer timepieces, yet bears all the marks of a traditional Swiss watch — reliability, competence and Swiss made.

About Gevril Group

Gevril Group, directed by company founder and long-time creative force in the watch business Samuel Friedmann, is the exclusive US representative for 30+ select European watch brands, distributing and servicing luxury, fashion and sporty timepieces at a wide range of price points. Additionally, Group Gevril operates a full-service watch repair department staffed by master Swiss watchmakers. Contact Gevril Group by email or by calling 845-425-9882.

Please subscribe to the Gevril Group newsletter and blog updates. Like us on Facebook. Reader comments are welcome.

Inspired by the infamous crossroads of business and art, The Times Square Collection brings together classical and avant-garde design in a modern, limited-edition timepiece. The new Gevril collection is sleek and strong, with a fresh masculine design reminiscent of the Art Moderne movement.

The Times Square Collection will take you from boardroom to black-tie, yet is stylish enough to take you through favorite late-night indulgences whether in a downtown jazz club or other evening affair.

Gevril has incorporated the curved-case architecture of the Avenue of Americas watch into The Times Square Collection creating a secure, custom feel on the wrist. Here is where Gevril excels in making form every bit as good as function. An oversize curved and beveled grade “A” sapphire crystal serves as the looking glass through which all will view the watch’s exquisite dial.

The Times Square Collection is available in Luxury, Roman, Classic and Sport editions, and is powered by ETA 2896 featuring 28,800 vibrations per hour and 22 jewels. Each edition will be limited to 500 pieces.

Gevril Group Worldwide Agent for Gevril Watches

Gevril Group is the worldwide agent for Gevril Watches. You can email us or call us at 845-425-9882.

Join the conversation! Follow Gevril Group on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn. You can also follow Gevril Watches on Facebook and Twitter. Please subscribe to the Gevril Group newsletter and blog.

Your Paris Hilton watch — wear it and be wonderful!

Paris Hilton at Baselworld 2011 Video

Please Subscribe

Subscribe to the Gevril Group newsletter and weekly blog summary.

Don’t hesitate to comment on this blog post.

The Edox booth featured plenty of spacious meeting rooms and a chic retro café boasting great views of the hall situated on the booth’s top floor.

New Edox Timepieces for 2011

Edox introduced at Baselworld 2011 several exciting new chronographs that further extend its already impressive array of luxury timepieces, which are loved by watch collectors and watch enthusiasts world over.

Edox Ladies 10405 357B NAIN Royal Lady Chronograph Watch		Edox Mens 10303 TIN NIN WRC Collection Xtreme Pilot III Limited Edition Chronograph Watch

Edox Mens 01113 357N NIN Grand Ocean Automatic Chronograph Watch		Edox Mens 01114 3 NINClass-1 Chronoffshore Automatic Chronograph Watch

About Gevril Group

Gevril Group, watchmaker and wholesale watch distributor, is the exclusive U.S. agent for exquisitely designed and crafted European luxury and fashion watch brands, distributing and servicing some of the best affordable luxury and Swiss watches and trendy fashion watches. Gevril Group also operates a full-service watch repair, staffed by master Swiss watchmakers. Contact Gevril Group by email or by calling 845-425-9882.

Join the conversation! Follow Gevril Group on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn. Please subscribe to the Gevril Group newsletter and blog.

The beauty and glamor of Baselworld are exemplified by the booths of luxury watch brands, such as Gevril, and high-end fashion watch brands, such as Salvatore Ferragamo, Valentino and Versace, all pictured below.

 

 

As we bid farewell to Baselworld 2011, weary from long days, skipped meals and arduous travel, we know we’ll soon yearn for the luxury, glamor, trends, innovations and thrills of Baselworld.

Gevril Group Worldwide Agent for Gevril Watches

Gevril Group is the worldwide agent for Gevril Watches. You can email us or call us at 845-425-9882.

Join the conversation! Follow Gevril Group on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn. You can also follow Gevril Watches on Facebook and Twitter. Please subscribe to the Gevril Group newsletter and blog.

Baselworld 2011

More than 100,000 manufacturers, enthusiasts and vendors of watches, jewelry and precious stones flocked to Baselworld 2011, which from March 24-31 occupied six large buildings within the vast Messe complex at the center of Basel, Switzerland.

If you’ve never attended Baselworld, it’ll be difficult for you to visualize the luxury, the enormity and the thrill of this annual watch and jewelry trade show that has become a carefully guarded tradition for many and that features such legendary brands as Breguet, Chanel, Gevril, Gucci, Harry Winston, Patek Philippe, Rolex, Salvatore Ferragamo, Tiffany & Co. and Versace.

Booths at trade shows typically consist of a small exhibit, a couple of tables and a few chairs. By contrast, booths at Baselworld or stands, if you prefer that nomenclature, are elegant boutiques as lofty as three stories high, replete with reception desks, display cases, conference rooms, and refreshment areas.

 

 

Visitors to most booths sit and enjoy a variety of beverages that include coffee and water “with or without gas,” in Baselworld-speak.

Imagine more than a thousand of these exquisite venues housed in half a dozen massive edifices and countless people from the world-over milling about, studying displays, taking snapshots, exchanging business cards and conducting meetings. Imagine too a wide variety of eateries and shops dotting the grounds with trolley trains called “trams” streaming by. This is Baselworld!

 

Photo Credits

Thank you to Baselworld Photos 2011 for use of the set of indoor photos.

Please Subscribe

Subscribe to the Gevril Group newsletter and weekly blog summary.

Don’t hesitate to comment on this blog post.