FROM THE EDITORS Letters + Events
The MB&F HM9 Air Edition.
MB&F exhibits at both SIHH
and Baselworld.
FULL CIRCLE
I
t’s been announced that the two competing Swiss watch shows that had run
concurrent in the early 1990s will once again punctuate the amazing variety
of watch creations in tandem come 2020.
Having attended these shows in both the previous and future concurrent format, as
well as with a two- month reprise between, I can say there are plusses and minuses for
both schedules.
ON THE PLUS SIDE FOR CONSECUTIVE EVENTS: YOU WILL SAVE ONE ROUND-TRIP AIRFARE.
office for ten days or more.
The great news is that regardless of when, where, and on
whose schedule these horological events take place, we
always find inspiration and awe in the watchmaking
world. Whether drawn into the bottomless depths of a
grand feu enamel dial, or hypnotized by the steady sway
of a slow-beat balance held within a perfectly polished
cage, iW’s editors will continue to find the best in
timekeeping and bring it to you – wherever we find it.
That said, you’d likely need just as many nights in a hotel, as well as related expenses. It is also an awful lot to Finally, I wish to give my personal congratulations to
digest and disseminate in one go. In recent years you could find more than twenty-five brands riding on the our Editor-in-Chief Michael Thompson for his nomination
coattails of the SIHH. Add to that the thirty-five or so macro and micro brands within the halls of the Palexpo for a GEM media excellence award. At the time of this
at SIHH, and there is more than enough grist for the editorial mill to harvest in a three- or four-day trip. printing we don’t know if he won, but based on his years
Now Baselworld is another beast entirely. Where the SIHH leans heavily (although not exclusively) towards
the “haute” horology, Baselworld brands run the gamut from affordable fashion, to great watch making
of service, knowledge, and reporting on the watch
industry, Mike is already a winner in my book!
houses, to new and existing micro-brands at every price point. Basel does do “haute” nicely with Patek
Philippe and Rolex (among others) on board, but the show is more democratic and does not turn its aquiline
nose up at newcomers with the audacity to try, or at watch brands that don’t cost as much as a sports car.
Keep Watching!
In recent months Baselworld has been the brunt of a lot of criticism and has seen record numbers of brands
leaving the show. But even as the show downsizes and evolves, I’m fairly certain that with six days at the show,
it will remain challenging for our team of editors to properly canvas and discover everything Baselworld has
to offer from the 500 or so exhibitors. Add that to the three to four days for the SIHH, and you’re out of the
4 | INTERNATIONAL WATCH | WINTER 2019
Gary George Girdvainis
Publisher | [email protected]