"It's We Time" for the Baselworld Successor
October 04, 20
(IDEX Online) - Organizers of the ill-fated Baselworld have announced details of its successor, HourUniverse.
And they have revealed the event's tag line - It's We Time - to the amusement of some in the trade press.
MCH Group describe HourUniverse in a press release as "a hybrid platform that serves the watch, jewellery and gemstone community with a year-round, modern digital offer combined with a lively exchange independent of physical encounters".
It will take place from 8 to 12 April In Basel, Switzerland. MCH did not name any industry players who would be taking part.
It announced in May that it was axing Baselworld after an exodus of big-name exhibitors and the launch of a rival event by Rolex, Patek Philippe, and others.
The raft of brands that have deserted Baselworld includes Rolex, Patek Philippe, Chanel, Chopard and Tudor, as well as Bulgari, TAG Heuer, Hublot and Zenith, all part of the LVMH Group.
Their departures followed those in 2018 of The Swatch Group, which had 17 brands in the show, as well as Breitling, Gucci, Bulgari, Seiko, Grand Seiko, Citizen and Bulova.
MCH said: "This brand-new show is a B2B2C meeting point that places the customers of the brands and exhibitors at the heart of its focus. The entire platform is conceived and designed around them.
"This applies to all players of the distribution chain, traditional and online retailers, including those of the CPO (certified Pre-Owned). It will feature an extended ecosystem with watches, jewellery and gemstones brands, developers of new distribution solutions, marketing and points of sale, and other players of the industry."