This past BaselWorld was different for a lot of reasons.
New buildings, new "seating arrangements, some new brands. But one of the key things that I noticed was the lack of charisma.
I think that we are approaching an almost parallel tipping point to the one that saw the watch world emerge from the Quartz Crisis
Now it is really almost exclusively about products, about partnerships, but we see and hear less and less about the people. It was not too long ago that by hanging out in the lobby of the Ramada you were afforded the best seat in the house. It was, and in many cases still is, where all the real business is taking place. You get yourself a coffee, hunker down and you will see a "who's who" of the industry.
Ever wonder where the real deals are struck? Usually over a second coffee, in quiet consultation.
There was one pure moment of excitement - François-Paul Journe himself walked through, and all conversations stopped. I nearly broke my neck trying to see what was going on! I don't think I have ever seen a moment like that, but there you have it.
So yes, products are important, brands are important - but let's not forget the rock stars! I want to know when "Elvis has left the building"!
New buildings, new "seating arrangements, some new brands. But one of the key things that I noticed was the lack of charisma.
I think that we are approaching an almost parallel tipping point to the one that saw the watch world emerge from the Quartz Crisis
Now it is really almost exclusively about products, about partnerships, but we see and hear less and less about the people. It was not too long ago that by hanging out in the lobby of the Ramada you were afforded the best seat in the house. It was, and in many cases still is, where all the real business is taking place. You get yourself a coffee, hunker down and you will see a "who's who" of the industry.
Ever wonder where the real deals are struck? Usually over a second coffee, in quiet consultation.
There was one pure moment of excitement - François-Paul Journe himself walked through, and all conversations stopped. I nearly broke my neck trying to see what was going on! I don't think I have ever seen a moment like that, but there you have it.
So yes, products are important, brands are important - but let's not forget the rock stars! I want to know when "Elvis has left the building"!
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