It’s been a tough year for Baselworld. Like many other annual events, the watch industry’s most prestigious tradeshow was forced to cancel its 2020 edition in response to the public health concerns caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Following that decision, an announcement from titans of the horology craft came out to reveal that Rolex, Tudor, Patek Philippe, Chanel, and Chopard will leave Baselworld, starting their own trade show in lieu of participating in the 2021 event. Those companies will join forces with FHH, the organizers of Watches & Wonders who were formerly known as SIHH. April 2021 will mark the inaugural event to be held in the Swiss city of Geneva.
In advance of the inaugural incarnation, Rolex, Tudor, Patek Philippe, Chanel, and Chopard will be delaying the 2020 releases that would have been unveiled at this year’s edition of Baselworld. Instead, those new watches will hit the market at the beginning of 2021. Following the formal announcement from these companies made by Rolex, the particulars behind the burgeoning show are still fluid, with a name, date, and other details about the organization of the event still being deliberated on.