As of 2020, the Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie Genève —SIHH— and Baselworld, the two major events in the watch industry, will synchronise their calendars to take place back to back. Starting 2020, the SIHH will be held from April 26th thru the 29th in Geneva, followed immediately by Baselworld from April 30th to May 5th in Basel. Until 2019, the SIHH will continue to take place in mid-January while Baselworld will take place at the end of March. Due to this, professionals, press, and clients shared by large watchmaking brands would have to travel to Switzerland twice in the space of just a couple of months. With the new calendar synchronized until 2024, one trip will now be required.

 Fabienne Lupo, President and Managing Director of the Fondation de la Haute Horlogerie, which organizes the SIHH, stated: “Our two events have always been different, yet complementary. Resynching with Baselworld will further confirm Switzerland as the foremost destination for watchmaking in the world. This is something we welcome wholeheartedly, as it is in the interests of all.” On the other end, Michel Loris-Melikoff, Managing Director of Baselworld said: “Baselworld and the SIHH are working for the industry and its clients. We have sought dialogue with the SIHH and together have found a solution, which benefits visitors, the media, and the entire watchmaking industry enormously. This partnership between the two most prominent exhibitions in the industry represents a major breakthrough for the future.”

While the press release states that for visitors attending both events the new dates will make their trips to Switzerland far easier, we think that it will actually create a much bigger conflict in terms of availability of accommodations at Basel that are already scarce and with pricing up the roof. With the events now being held back to back, many of the journalists and clients that used to pick one event over the other, will not be attending both, increasing the number of visitors at Baselworld drastically. At least one positive thing out of this big change will for sure be the warmer weather and sunnier skies.

About the SIHH

Created in 1991, the Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie (SIHH) focuses on Haute Horlogerie, and now welcomes 35 exhibiting Maisons, 17 of which are part of the “Carré des Horlogers”. Over time, SIHH has become an unmissable platform for communication and a meeting place for the international watchmaking community: professionals, journalists, the media, collectors, enthusiasts and connoisseurs of fine watchmaking.

For more info on the SIHH click here.

About Baselworld

For over 100 years, Baselworld has been The World Watch and Jewellery Show. Amongst its exhibitors are Rolex, Patek Philippe, LVMH and Chopard, alongside exhibitors who are world leaders in the domains of jewellery and precious stones, in addition to those of technical industries. 

For more info on Baselworld click here.