Exhibitors Optimistic at Basel

Jewelry by Leo Pizzo

But if Hall 2 was seeing some increased traffic as the weekend got underway, it was literally every person for themselves in the watch hall as buyers and browsers jostled each other out the way to get a look at the latest horological releases.

Hall 3, home to the diamond booths, was noticeably empty in parts. However, as many diamantaires shut up shop for the Jewish Sabbath, this factor is not unduly worrying – as yet.

This close to the start of the show, it is hard to get a real sense of how business is going. However, talking to a number of exhibitors, especially the high-end jewelry brands, there seems to be a universal sense of optimism.

“Vicenza was very good,” said Luisa Rossi of Italian brand Annamaria Cammilli. “The year has started off positively and we are now starting to see the results. We expect a very good Basel. We are very positive and happy.” While the company has a worldwide presence, especially in Russia, the Middle East, Eastern Europe and the Far East, it has had less success in the U.S.; although Rossi said it is a market the brand is again working to break into.

Fabio Macchitella of Leo Pizzo, said his company is also approaching the show positively. He said people are tired of worrying about the crisis. “We have to overcome it.” He is hoping that the latest additions to the Italian company’s iconic heart and flower collections will help buyers do just that.

With the company’s emphasis on pavé rather than on bigger, more costly stones, there is reason to be optimistic; a sentiment backed by the fact business over the first couple of days of the show had been, in his words, “not bad.”

Baselworld runs until March 15.