Breaking News: Amid Coronavirus Fears, Baselworld 2020 Postponed

In a move that will come as little surprise to those tracking the intersecting stories of the unfolding coronavirus epidemic and its impact on the watch industry (and the global economy as a whole), the upcoming Baselworld fair has been postponed to January 2021, just three months ahead of what presumably would have been the 2021 fair. 

The decision to postpone this year’s fair was made after the Swiss government issued a ban on large gatherings of over 1,000 people — the Geneva Motor Show, a key event in the car world, was also cancelled this morning.

Baselworld is in the midst of a transitional period, with major brands electing to drop out even before the current coronavirus outbreak caused Bulgari, Casio, and Citizen to withdraw from this year’s fair. With the cancellation of Watches & Wonders (announced yesterday), the lengthy post-postponement of Baselworld, and large scale uncertainty in the world economy as the coronavirus threat lumes, the retail landscape is headed into unknown territory in 2020.

For more information, and to read the official press release from Baselworld officials, head to official Baselworld website here.