Anticipation building for Basel World 2010

It’s that time of year again… No, it’s not March break. But it is the biggest event of the year… If you work in the Swiss watch industry. March 18-25 marks the 2010 Basel World convention, a gathering of the world’s top timepiece brands to showcase new technology, models, and upcoming trends.

What makes Basel World so important to watch lovers and collectors is that it is place where the year’s new and important developments will be announced to the public. Companies unveil closely-guarded secrets to an eager public, waiting with baited breath for the next trend to emerge.

It might seem silly, but rumours before the Basel show have a strong drive on market trends. Take Rolex, for example. Every year they unveil a few new or modified models at Basel, and their products always create a flurry of excitement and speculation. But nothing is ever revealed before the show, so the weeks leading up to it are filled with rumours of coming developments – some plausible, others complete nonsense.  Rumours or not, they do affect people’s behaviour.

This year the main rumour is the unveiling of a new Maxi-case, ceramic bezel Submariner in stainless steel – this has caused a flurry of activity among collectors. Some are snapping up current model Subs in the hope it will be discontinued, and therefore become a collectible in the next decade. Others are withholding until after the show, to try and get the latest and greatest product right away. The same goes with the three other models that are the subject of rumour – the Explorer I and II, and the Daytona. But no one really knows for sure until March 18^th.

Be sure to keep your eyes on the Basel site for live updates from the show - and don’t believe everything you hear on the internet…

http://www.baselworld.com/