As the world’s biggest watchmaking and jewellery gathering opens its doors, creations in Swiss colours are once again promising to be the stars of the show. Heirs to time-honoured traditions, they are also the ambassadors of a wide range of innovations that will inspire tomorrow’s trends around the globe.
Swiss watchmaking, a hothouse of creativity
The results of a whole year’s work – or even more for some exclusive developments – the 2014 creations by Swiss watchmakers beat to the tune of the fundamentals that have forged their reputation: precision, reliability, inventiveness and aesthetics, coupled with careful execution right down to the finest details. Innovations able serve the cause of functionality and comfort, with ever more high-performance mechanisms, useful complications, completely new adjustment systems designed to enhance user friendliness, as well as models with innovative displays ensuring perfect readability.
While steel and white or pink gold continue to be a firm favourite amongst watchmakers, watch exteriors also offer a combination of materials, with titanium rubbing shoulders with ceramics or gold, steel appearing in two-tone versions and sapphire crystals inserted into metal case middles. On the sports watch front, many of the 2014 creations draw inspiration from the world of motor racing, aviation or diving – all serving as vivid reminders that Swiss watchmaking has been involved in these human endeavours right from their origins.
Jewellery stands for lasting value
Diamonds, sapphires, rubies and emeralds accentuate the curves of highly exclusive and sometimes unique Haute Joaillerie models. Swiss jewellery-makers also offer more accessible creations made of gold, silver or steel. Precious metals, particularly pink or yellow gold, are combined to produce glowing compositions, while diamonds remain the most sought-after precious stone in illuminating 2014 creations, no matter what the material. Fashion jewellery is also extremely popular, and even more so when it is associated with a strong brand universe. While they vie with each other in terms of original designs, there is a definite trend towards silver or white gold finishes for a pure, streamlined look suited to everyday wear.
Sobriety and elegance
With the majority of diameters measuring between 40 and 43 millimetres, the size of men’s timepieces remains pretty much unchanged. While titanium and ceramics have now asserted themselves as full-fledged watchmaking materials, pink gold and steel are the order of the day when it comes to 2014 creations. After years of “full black” models, PVD coatings are now appearing in the various colours of gold, offering more affordable alternatives to models made of the precious metal. The mainly round dials favour the timeless classicism of silvery shades or supremely elegant anthracite grey, enhanced by guilloché or sunray finishes testifying to the meticulous attention lavished on details.
Suppliers, the backstage magicians
Well accustomed to working behind the scenes, the related sectors exhibit in Halls 3 and 4. Although often little known to the public, they nevertheless constitute a formidable breeding ground of skills and knowledge, working day in and day out to develop new techniques and contribute to the magic of Swiss watches and jewellery.
A sector looking confidently to the future
After 2013, a year characterised by consolidation at a very high level, with a record figure of CHF 21.8 billion sales in terms of value, Swiss watchmaking exports are experiencing a rebound in growth at the beginning of 2014. January figures were 5.6% higher than the same month last year – a promising signal that was confirmed by February’s 7% rise in the value of exports. In terms of volume, February saw an average 11.3% growth in the number of units exported, across all price segments. For Swiss Exhibitors at Baselworld, the Show thus looks set to be extremely promising. They are more than ever looking forward to presenting their new creations to what they hope will prove a broad audience.
Swiss Exhibitors’ Committee
Statistics: www.fhs.ch