The 39th annual Baselworld watch and jewellery show in Basel has come to an end, clocking up 103,200 visitors, an increase of 2.5 per cent on last year.
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There was drama at this year’s eight-day show after a walk-in diamond theft on Wednesday shocked participants and visitors alike.
Four diamonds worth millions of francs were taken from a showcase when the diamond dealer was distracted at around 11am, according to Basel authorities. The building was shut down as soon as the theft was noticed and no one could leave for half an hour, but the thieves managed to get away.
A total of 1,892 jewellery producers and suppliers from 45 countries exhibited their luxury wares, providing copy for 3,055 accredited journalists, the highest ever number of media visitors.
While no overall sales figures were given, Baselworld’s organisers said “this year’s exhibitors declared themselves to be highly satisfied with the business they conducted and the sales they achieved”.
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The Basel fair provides around 2,000 exhibitors from 45 countries with a unique opportunity to showcase their newest products and the latest trends. (Pictures: Christoph Balsiger, swissinfo.ch)
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here. Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.