BaselWorld

Baselworld Watch and Jewellery Show is a trade show of the international watch and jewellery industry, organized each spring in the city of Basel, Switzerland. It comprises about 2,100 exhibitors from over 45 countries, including the leading watch and jewelry brands, as well as companies specializing in precious gems. The show attracts over 94,000 visitors.The history of the show dates back to 1917 with the opening of the first Schweizer Mustermesse Basel (muba), of which a section was devoted to watches and jewellery.

We rode the train from Zurich to Basel, about an hour through the quiet suburbs. Not much to see except sleepy commuters, green fields and very little traffic on a Tuesday morning.

The Hamilton watch company had suspended a reproduction aeroplane in the main Basel train station: "The Hamilton Watch Company was an American company that was incorporated in 1892 and produced its first watch, the 936, in 1893. The company went on to manufacture and market pocket watches andwristwatches and subsequently become a diversified conglomerate. In 1971 it became the third company of what was to later become the Swatch Group and is today one of twenty brands belonging to the Swatch Group, the world's largest watch manufacturer and marketer."

We caught the free tram from the train to the main plaza, where the event is held every year.

"Baselworld 2016 is in the starting blocks poised for take-off. Anticipation rises as the one unmissable trendsetting show gets ready to capture the hearts and minds of the 150,000 attendees and 4,000 press representatives as well as consumers around the world. The premier show representing all sectors of the world’s watch and jewellery industry goes live from 17th to 24th March, 2016"

Yes, there is a living tree in the entry plaza! And, of course, a Tudor display...

We covered as much of the four floors as we physically could, in one day, and found ourselves completely boggled by the time we staggered back to catch thte train to Zurich. Beautiful sales girls, glittering watches, amazing animated displays on a huge scale - all quite amazing. We didnt buy anything but we will dream of the Jaquet Droz bird repeater for the rest of our lives...