The 2018 edition of Baselworld, held in late March, was a leaner, meaner affair than in past years, but watchmakers still brought plenty of heat

 

(Above) The fair hosted 650 exhibitors, down from 1,300 in 2017. But the crowds in Hall 1, home to the major watch brands, remained as impressive as ever.

 

For its 100th anniversary, Citizen commissioned Japanese artist Tsuyoshi Tane to create a booth installation featuring 100,000 main plates that shimmered in the light.

 

Soccer player Luís Figo, Jacob & Co.’s Jacob Arabo, and a bevy of models unveil the limited-edition Epic X Chrono Luis Figo wristwatch.

 

Chopard copresident Karl-Friedrich Scheufele and his wife, Christine (l.), flank Swiss Federal Councillor Doris Leuthard.

 

Bulgari’s Guido Terreni and Jean-Christophe Babin with Italian TV personality Giorgia Surina and actresses Laura Harrier and Shu Qi

 

The official ribbon-cutting ceremony on March 21, opening day

 

LVMH Watch Division president Jean-Claude Biver, Olympic gold medalist Usain Bolt, and Hublot CEO Ricardo Guadalupe