Podcast

Keeping Time S9 Ep.01 Watch Show History: Baselworld, Genève SIHH, Watches and Wonders

By Oster Jewelers | March 28, 2025 0 Comments

Springtime is here and that means Watches and Wonders and a new season of Keeping Time Podcast!!!

Welcome back everyone. Please join us as your hosts Doug and Jeremy discuss the history and evolution of the Swiss Watch Shows. In this episode we go into detail outlining the history of the former Basel Watch and Jewellery Show which dated back to 1917. We discuss how the show grew, the early history and the modern history as mechanical watchmaking entered the modern era with a renaissance of fine watchmaking beginning in the late 1980’s.

We discuss the historical importance of the Basel Fair and also the emergence and the reasons for establishing a second important show in Genève, Switzerland. Initially the Genève show was called SIHH. Today the show has evolved into Watches and Wonders. Jeremy goes into detail and describes the experience enjoyed at the shows from the perspective of a retailer.

Midway through the episode we are joined by friend of the pod, Scott Rosen. Scott, brings his experience as a vendor to the episode. As former USA Brand President for both Hublot and Vacheron Constantin, Scott relates a unique perspective from the point of view of the Manufacturer exhibiting at the all-important Swiss trade shows. As always, it is a fun and free-flowing conversation with deep insights and a little nostalgia thrown in for good measure. We hope that you enjoy this episode of Keeping Time Podcast. Thank you for downloading and supporting independent media.

Please reach out directly to jeremy@osterjewelers.com with any questions, comments or suggestions for potential podcast guests or watch purchase requests.

^{Baselworld (Basel, Switzerland – 2016)}

^{Courtyard in the Sky – Messe Basel Hall, Baselworld (Basel, Switzerland – 2016)}

^{Baselworld (Basel, Switzerland – 2016)}

^{Baselworld (l-r) Tim Grönefeld, Jeremy Oster, Stepan Sarpaneva, Bart Grönefeld (2017)}

^{Middle Bridge at night (Basel, Switzerland – 2017)}

^{NOMOS Exhibition at Baselworld (Basel, Switzerland – 2017)}

^{Rare Ship Chronometer from the Ulysse Nardin Museum Baselworld (2017)}

^{A. Lange & Söhne Exhibition – SIHH (Genève, Switzerland – 2018)}

^{Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie Exhibition Hall (2018)}

^{Armin Strom’s Claude Greisler with Jeremy Oster (SIHH Genève – 2019)}

^{Jeremy Oster, Josiane Favre, Michel Parmigiani, Melissa Oster (SIHH Genève 2019)}

^{Moser Nature Watch (SIHH – 2019)}

Hôtel des Bergues Genève (SIHH – 2019)

Watches and Wonders returns to Genève April 1st thru April 7th, 2025 showcasing the latest innovations, craftsmanship, and exclusive releases from the world’s most prestigious watch brands. This highly acclaimed annual gathering brings together industry leaders, collectors, and enthusiasts for an immersive experience of luxury timekeeping.