Baselworld 2015 Opening Ceremony

PR59903

BASEL, Switzerland, Mar. 20, 2015 /PRN=KYODO JBN/ --

In a grand ceremony befitting the most important event for the world's watch

and jewellery industry, Baselworld 2015 was officially opened by Swiss Federal

Councillor Johann Schneider-Ammann.

The undisputedly premier event that unites key players from all sectors of the

global watch and jewellery industry under one roof, Baselworld 2015 opened its

doors today in the presence of Swiss Federal Councillor Johann

Schneider-Ammann. With 1,500 brands exhibiting and over 4,000 journalists from

all over the world expected to attend, Baselworld 2015 will run from 19 to 26

March 2015.

THE SUPERLATIVE EVENT AND INDISPENSABLE PLATFORM FOR THE INDUSTRY

Baselworld is universally recognized as THE one unmissable global event for

watches, jewellery and all related sectors. Unique in uniting all key players

from the world of watches and jewellery, diamonds, gemstones, pearls and

machines and supplies under one roof, Baselworld draws every year 150,000

professionals to Basel who attend to feel the pulse, discover new trends and

buy the latest creations from the 1,500 brands. Being at the heart of whole

industry, Baselworld spreads its message throughout the entire world,

reinforcing its worldwide leadership position year after year. The show

untiringly defends this enviable position, moving forward every year, improving

facilities and impact, and never ceasing to innovate to meet the constantly

evolving requirements. According to Ms Sylvie Ritter, Managing Director of

Baselworld, "the attractiveness and buzz that this sector creates go on

growing," and equally importantly, "the attraction for consumers and the

interest of the media are unceasing."

GLOWING TRIBUTES TO AN INDUSTRY LEGEND

Mr Rene Kamm, CEO of the MCH Group, said he was honoured to have Federal

Councillor Schneider-Ammann open Baselworld, underlining that it showed how

much value the Swiss government placed on the show and by that also on the

Swiss watch and jewellery industry. He went on to say that Baselworld had

experienced openings where the conditions were more favourable and the mood

accordingly optimistic, "but fortunately there were never occasions when we had

the impression that the watch and jewellery industry was running out of

innovative ideas."

And on that note, Mr Kamm paid a special tribute to industry legend, Mr Jacques

J. Duchene, President of the Exhibitors' Committee, who had unexpectedly passed

away just before the opening of the show. Mr Kamm highlighted many of Mr

Duchene's excellent qualities and acknowledged that through his "indefatigable

commitment" to Baselworld his "contribution to the development of the show and

raising it to this standard was immense." This year Mr Jacques J. Duchene would

have celebrated two anniversaries: his 60th attendance at Baselworld and his

20th as President of the Exhibitors' Committee.

BASELWORLD ORGANISED LIKE THE FINE MECHANICS OF A HIGHLY-PRECISE WATCH MECHANISM

Basel-Stadt Cantonal Council Member, Christoph Brutschin, welcomed the guests

and conveyed the best wishes of the governments of Basel-Land and Basel-Stadt.

He compared the show to a watch describing it as "similar to the fabrication of

a watch mechanism, a lot of thought and passion with a high standard of

precision is invested in this masterpiece that is Baselworld." Clarifying his

statement in horological terms, he said, "The precise workmanship of the wide

variety of cogs that are tuned to the last detail to work in harmony, makes

Baselworld a top-class event." Mr Brutschin acclaimed Baselworld for its

economic importance to the region, mentioning the thousands that visit the city

during the eight days and also because it generated 13,000 jobs in the region.

He too paid tribute to Mr Jacques J. Duchene, lauding his life's work with the

words: "His passionate and generous commitment to the development of Baselworld

and the watch industry marked and guided his life," adding that Mr Duchene

"constantly sought to ensure the sustainability of Baselworld and contributed

to its reputation all over the world." Mr Brutschin ended his speech with a

Jacques J. Duchene quote: "The creative capacity of this industry is

undeniable. You only have to open your eyes to see it every year." These words

comforted Mr Brutschin and strengthened his "conviction that the Swiss watch

industry, clearly focused on exports, would indeed rise to the current strong

franc crisis with creativity, innovation and outstanding Swiss quality."

BASELWORLD PLAYS A KEY ROLE IN CELEBRATING A VITAL SWISS INDUSTRY

Rounding off the opening ceremony, Federal Councillor Johann Schneider-Ammann

praised watchmaking as an art, portraying it thus: "With the invention of the

mechanical clock, time was, in the true sense of the word, turned into an art.

An art that is driven to ever higher peaks - in precision, in technological

ingenuity and in ever-evolving aesthetic forms." As the minister responsible

for the business research, innovation and labour, Mr Schneider-Ammann affirmed

the importance of the industry for Switzerland by describing how it has

developed into a uniquely strong economic force, which now boasts more than 500

companies that provide more than 50,000 people with a livelihood. "I am of

course proud that Switzerland is one of the most important centres of art and

that Baselworld celebrates this with due solemnity," said Mr. Schneider-Ammann

by way of conclusion.

BASELWORLD 2015 WILL BE HELD FROM 19 - 26 MARCH 2015.

Press Contact:

Loraine Stantzos

+41(0)582062264

Internet: baselworld.com

E-mail: press@baselworld.com

Facebook: facebook.com/baselworld

Twitter: twitter.com/baselworld

Weibo: weibo.com/baselworld

Picture material for Baselworld is available to download free of charge at:

baselworld.com

SOURCE: Baselworld and MCH Group