Going to Baselworld - what to expect?

[Dan 80]

Evening all,

For my recent birthday present my girlfriend has got us tickets to Baselworld at the end of the month . Her mother lives in Basel and we go over there regularly anyway so knowing that I like watches she thought it would be good present.

I know tickets aren't cheap and it's a really thoughtful gift - I'm just a bit worried that she's going to be really bored. As I've said I do have an interest in watches and I know I'll find it interesting but I don't really know what to expect if that makes sense? Are there just lots and lots of stands from all the watch-makers where you can see their collections? Is there anything else that we can do or is it just a lot of window shopping? Any hints or tips from those in the know would be appreciated!

Thanks

Dan

[Yipper]

Basel is quite beautiful. The old town and bridges by the river are a great way to spend a lazy day of browsing, eating and drinking.

Baselworld is full of preposterously self-important people selling shiny tat. But you do get to see almost all major watches and jewelry under one roof, so it is a good show to browse around for business or leisure. Some of the niche watch stores on the fringes of the show floor are kind of interesting.

[OGR4M]

I thought about going with Mrs OGR4M this year, got priced out with local hotels bumping up their prices that weekend - is there anything ‘interactive’ to do? as in try on watches, have a pros and poke of the special pieces that us normals never usually have a chance to even see.

I get the feeling it’s just a load of people loading pictures to Instagram with their noses pressed against bulletproof cases containing revolving Richard Milles and Jacob&Co...

[eyebeebe]

Yipper said:

Basel is quite beautiful

Seriously if you think that you need to see the rest of the country!

[Yipper]

OGR4M said:

I thought about going with Mrs OGR4M this year, got priced out with local hotels bumping up their prices that weekend - is there anything ‘interactive’ to do? as in try on watches, have a pros and poke of the special pieces that us normals never usually have a chance to even see.

I get the feeling it’s just a load of people loading pictures to Instagram with their noses pressed against bulletproof cases containing revolving Richard Milles and Jacob&Co...

A lot of visitors stay in hotels or Airbnb just across the border in France, up to an hour away, rent a car, and drive to and from the show every day. Much cheaper.

You can try on watches at the smaller stands, but not the bigger ones (usually) without an invite. It's more about browsing than wearing, in most cases.

[littlewheels]

Can you actually buy a Watch? Or be first on the Order list? Since the Global ADs don’t know what being launched until this Show aren’t there any Lists. Just saying/thinking.

[jonah35]

I don’t mind watches but surely this has to be up there as one of the most boring days out ever?

Waking round for hours looking at watches in glass cases?

Can just imagine the preened blokes with fancy haircuts trying to look self important and snobby

[Dan 80]

Thanks all, looks like it's as I thought then. I'm sure I'll enjoy a good window-shop but not sure it's going to be an all-day activity. Mad, considering how much the tickets cost, but then Switzerland isn't the cheapest place anyway!

[horacethefrog]

Looking at Hodinkee's article it would appear you need to dress like a tt https://www.hodinkee.com/articles/street-style-bas...

[jonah35]

I’d rather have a weekend in Benidorm with non pretentious folk

[jonah35]

I’d rather have a weekend in Benidorm with non pretentious folk

[Ikemi]

I was hoping to attend this year to create some content for my FB page - I even managed to bag an invite to view and try on the new Vault V1+ watch, which houses a movement created by Andreas Strehler! However what with a potential house move and a wedding this year, I couldn't afford c.£300-400 to travel out to Basel for 1-2 days.

However I'm really hoping there might be a SalonQP exhibit in London at the end of the year. Apparently, it's rather good ... and probably cheaper than Basel too!

I hope you had fun at Baselworld though! It would be interesting to read your opinions on the show.