"Today everything has become more transparent, fast and changing momentarily. Accordingly, a different rhythm and a different approach are needed. In this new context, the annual watch fairs, as they exist today, no longer make much sense. This does not mean that they should disappear. But it is necessary that such exhibitions become more creative, responding adequately to the current situation and demonstrating more dynamism and creativity. The group MCH, which organizes Baselworld, is clearly more concerned about the optimization and depreciation of its new building, which, by the way, is largely funded by the watch industry and its representatives-participants of fairs - than the question of how to achieve real progress and profound changes in the system and quality of exhibitions. For all these reasons, Swatch Group has decided that from 2019 it will no longer be present in Baselworld.

Swatch CEO Nick Hayek Jr.

The world leader in the production of watches SWATCH refused to participate in the exhibition Baselworld. Thus, the famous forum of manufacturers of famous watches, suffers another fiasco. The Baselworld expositions have been considered one of the most prestigious for many years, but now they are losing their positions and there are already 850 fewer participants. As Nick Hayek Jr., CEO of Swatch, stated today, the world of the fashion and watch industry in particular has become more changeable and flexible, and the traditions of Swiss watches also require rethinking and a new policy.