I think many people imagine BaselWorld as a glamorous showplace where visitors compare Rolexs and exchange fine cigars as they stroll through beautiful displays while sipping premium cognac.
I have attended BaselWorld for the last four years, and it is indeed an unforgettable experience. The third largest city in Switzerland, Basel has a historic center that is more beautiful, grand, and interesting than any other city in the country.
The region near Basel is beautiful. I like to extend my stay for a few days because the countryside is the best in the world for biking. Basel is usually very quiet but for BaselWorld the hotels are crowded and very expensive - so expensive that many of the exhibitors and staff cross the border to France or Germany to sleep. During BaselWorld, the whole city is watch crazy. On the street, and in restaurants, bars, and museums, the talk is about watches.
Even on the train, your chat with strangers will be all things watches. I stay in a hotel that is a minute bike ride from the show.
The hotel staff always lends me a bike, which is a rare experience in Switzerland; there, everything comes at a price, and the price is never cheap. For me, the high point of BaselWorld happens on the Sunday during the show, when every year vintage merchants and collectors get together at the Stadt Casino to chat about the watches that are important to us.
