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exploring taste—santa margherita gruppo vinicolo places—the timeless elegance of basel

SPRING, THE Articles written about the fair usually emphasize the gentle, slow paced and

BASELWORLD SEASON almost old-fashioned vibe among the stands. The spirit of the trade show is
quite old school indeed. Cadrans Flückiger in Saint-Imier, about an hour
from Basel, is one of the most ancient dial makers in Switzerland founded
in 1860. In 2014, the New York Times paid a visit to write a story about of one
of the most ancient and noticeable traditions in the world – watchmaking
in Switzerland.
Words DAVIDE PIACENZA Nevertheless, the “Swiss watch” didn’t start off as a paradigm of matchless
Baselworld is the largest trade show in the watch industry. Every spring, thou- craftsmanship or extreme attention to detail. Until the 1800s, the record for
sands of exhibitors flock to Switzerland to display luxury watches, jewelry, dial production and innovation was held by the Germans, then the Dutch
diamonds, pearls, precious stones and manufacturing machines and tools. and eventually the English. Only the prominence of important figures such

1. 2.
4. 3.

photography Baselworld 2016/Courtesy of Baselworld photography Michele Tantussi/Getty Images

photography Norbert Aepli

THE TIMELESS

ELEGANCE OF BASEL

photography Harold Cunningham/Getty Images photography Baselworld 2016/Courtesy of Baselworld

The Swiss city on the Rhine is one of the places where the oldest Swiss traditions and Weltanschauung
mesh with innovation and a taste of the best of what the present has to offer. Here is a brief guide to 1. – 3. 2. – 4.
contemporary art, cuisine, wellness and accommodation in the heart of Europe. Messe Basel, the building home to Baselworld, consists of five Tradition plays a central role at Baselworld: many of the expensive
watches on display are still handmade by skilled artisans
spaces with a total exhibition area of 141,000 square meters
48 49