Greetings from midair!
I’ve just finished five invigorating (and exhausting) days at this year’s edition of the Baselworld show in Basel, Switzerland, and I’m writing you from British Airways Flight 711 from Zurich to London.
The theme this year? Change. It seems everything is up for reconsideration, from the purpose of watches in the face of competition from tiny, wrist-worn computers, to the role that jewelry plays in a “modern luxury” world, to the function of retail as we await Amazon’s first delivery drones.
At the same time, certain themes never change. Those businesses that reinvent, innovate, remain nimble, and do their best to respond to change have the best opportunity to survive.
It was in this context that I had the pleasure of walking the show with an advance copy of the all-new JCK. Congratulations to our editorial team (helmed by editor-in-chief Victoria Gomelsky) and a special shout-out to creative director Peter Yates. I’ve been in the magazine biz for over 25 years now, and I know when we have a winner! It’s a joy to receive nothing but praise and positive feedback.
The issue in your hands is the second featuring our new design, and it is a beauty. We hope you enjoy the info-packed editorial content and that you are inspired by the design and photography. It’s really what print is all about in 2017. Oh, and of course, we encourage you to make a slow page-turn of our wonderful advertisers. If something sparks your interest, please tear out the ad and bring it to their JCK Las Vegas show booth.
Next up for me is the AGS Conclave, held this year in Los Angeles. I always look forward to seeing and learning from some of the country’s best jewelry retailers at this event. And in light of all the above changes, I’m sure attendees will arrive hungry for news, trends, and advice. I know I’m fascinated to learn.
As this issue hits your desk, you’re no doubt busily preparing yourself for the big week in Vegas (time to start breaking in those new shoes!). I look forward to seeing you at the show.
Top: Just one of the halls inside the expansive Baselworld watch and jewelry show
(Smelzer photograph by Nicholas A. Prakas; Grooming: Claudia Andreatta/Halley Resources; hall: courtesy of Baselworld)