15-4-2020
Five watch heavyweights, Rolex, Patek Philippe, Tudor, Chanel and Chopard jointly announced they will withdraw from Baselworld following a letter by Baselworld exhibitor’s committee president Hubert du Plessix urging for a full refund of fees for brands set to exhibit in the canceled 2020 edition.
In the statement, the brands said they would launch a new trade fair in Geneva with the Fondation de la Haute Horlogerie (FHH) in April 2021, the same exhibiting month as Watches & Wonders. Other details, including the show name, has yet to release.
“We have taken part in Baselworld since 1939. Unfortunately, given the way the event has evolved and the recent decisions made by MCH Group, and in spite of the great attachment we had to this watch show, we have decided to withdraw,” stated Rolex chief executive Jean-Frédéric Dufour. Patek Philippe president Thierry Stern saying the company “is not in line with Baselworld’s vision anymore” and shared similar sentiment: “The decision to leave Baselworld was not an easy one to take for me, being the fourth generation of the Stern family to participate to this traditional yearly event.” Baselworld organiser MCH Group said it was surprised about the decision made by the major exhibitors.