Baselworld, the world’s largest watch and jewelry show, typically hosts over 100,000 people, for a duration of eight days. But amid declining attendance, since the nearly half-billion dollar upgrade to the Messe Basel Fairgrounds in 2013, and at a very tumultuous time for the watch industry, to cut costs the organizers have decided to slash two days off the schedule.

As a decade-long fairgoer, I agree with the change as eight days, plus press day is quite frankly too long and therefore superfluous. And crucially, switching to a six-day format will allow Baselworld organizers to charge exhibitors less.

Baselworld 2018 will take place from March 22 – 27, 2018 (March 21 is press day).