Anyone going to Baselworld?

Very Important!!!- The halls are open to the public but the booths are not! Many people find this out the hard way after flying 8 hours, another hour in driving, the expense of hotels, travel, etc. Then you get through the door and you can't get into the Patek booth, or the Rolex booth, or the Breitling booth etc. Plan well in advance with the companies that you want to see to be sure they will even see you. Otherwise most of your visit will involve looking at the outside of booths. That being said the smaller companies are far more flexible and my personal favorite part of the show, the AHCI booth is wide open where you can talk to real watchmakers instead of salespeople. Last tip: Go at the end of the week. The beginning of the show is packed and the companies are pushing hard to their retailers. By the end of the week most of the action has died down and the companies will be more likely to talk to you.

Honestly I find a far more fulfilling trip is to go and tour the factories and museums. To see them being made gives you a new appreciation and the museums will blow away anything you will see in Basel.

 

I have been looking for good watch shows here in the US, if in chicago area even better if anyone has suggestions. The basel world sites show that the show is attached to the Gem and Jewlery shows across the usa. has anyone attended these and was it worth it to go and look at the timepieces or have access to manufacturers?
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