· Exhibitors and trade visitors are optimistic going into the 35th inhorgenta europe
· Exhibitor survey provides initial indications of the highlights of the upcoming timepiece and jewelry season
· More than 1,200 exhibitors expected

The business outlook for the timepiece and jewelry industries is very promising according to overall assessments. Exports are booming, and German consumers have also rediscovered their desire for luxury. Manufacturers and retailers are heading into the season 2008 correspondingly optimistic. inhorgenta europe 2008, the 35th International Trade Fair for Watches, Clocks, Jewellery, Precious Stones, Pearls and Technology is profiting from this positive market environment. Approx. 1,200 manufacturers, retailers and jewelry representatives (2007: 1,137) will present a comprehensive range of products on the grounds of the New Munich Trade Fair Centre from 15 to 18 February 2008. Renowned brands, known designers, manufacturers of refined products - they will all be there at the start of the season in Munich. There are also interesting companies among the newcomers and those returning to inhorgenta europe; "We are very happy that we have been able to sign up a lot of premium brands as exhibitors again with Breil, Dolce & Gabbana, Sector, Raymond Weil and Herbstrit," Armin Wittmann, Project Manager of inhorgenta europe, explained. The number of trade visitors will probably also increase with the well-known names. According to initial estimates, the high number of 33,000 visitors from last year will be surpassed this time.

But what can trade visitors expect at this inhorgenta europe? What will be the effect of the increased interest in designing collections of timepieces and jewelry? What are the jewelry and timepiece trends of 2008? A wide-ranging survey of exhibitors at inhorgenta Europe provides an initial overview and a little foretaste of what to expect.
 
Almost all exhibitors agreed on one thing: jewelry will be the eye-catcher of the year with white as the up and coming fashionable color. Consequently, the creations are more conspicuous than almost ever before: large-sized jewelry pieces with gems in radiating colors, ion-plated, colorful stainless steel and opulent designs are examples of the highlights of the new season and expression of increased self-confidence of those producing jewelry. The topic of "component jewelry" is clearly the second trend. There will be numerous offers ranging from designing your own necklace all the way to the increasingly popular charm pendants. Customers with a sense for creativity and a desire for change can take advantage of offers of several hundred charm pendants from many manufacturers.

A clear trend can also be seen in men's watches. Large casings, white, radiating dial faces and modern, clear designs are the overriding features of offers this season. One line can also be detected for the ladies; similar to in the jewelry sector, ladies' watches of the season should impress as conspicuous fashion accessories – they sparkle and radiate as seldom in the past.

By the way, the trade fair is picking up on the trend of the season and expanding its offers for all those interested in gems and pearls. Hall C1 is dedicated solely to the topic of "gems and loose pearls" starting from this year. Contemporary gem designers will present their most beautiful works within the framework of a special exhibition taking place for the first time. The exhibition is called "Stone Matters" and should sharpen the awareness of visitors for modern precious stone design and innovative cuts.

Atelier Bunz:
"Pearls in combination with diamonds in a classic-modern Bunz design will also play a role this year. But we are also going along with the market and making increased individualization possible for our customers: the possibility to put together your own necklace. Regardless of whether trendy in color, in black & white look or classic with pearls, we provide our customers unlimited possibilities to make their jewelry piece from a jewelry piece with the collection "Symbols 5"." Christine Kammerer, Atelier Bunz Marketing

CASIO:
"inhorgenta europe has become the most important trade fair in Germany for us. In 2008, the trade fair is again providing precisely the right national and international framework for presenting the new CASIO spring/summer collection. In addition, CASIO is celebrating the 25th anniversary of the G-SHOCK with a black-golden anniversary edition of the successful MUDMAN." Andreas Schult, Sales Manager for Watches Germany / Austria, Casio Europe GmbH

Cerruti 1881:
"Gorgeous flower patterns, fanciful-luxurious shapes, strong colors and bright hues: Cerruti 1881 is reflecting the beauty of nature in a very varied way in its current jewelry collection. inhorgenta europe makes a comparison with competitors possible for us and leads to new creativity. Every participant at inhorgenta europe can take away some ideas with him or her." Kim Werkmeister, Public Relations Cerruti 1881

Chronoswiss:
"inhorgenta is like a mandatory event for us as company with headquarters in Munich, because we represent Munich and Bavaria as watchmaker site and want to make it more well known. Even if economic forecasts are very positive, we all have to work to ensure that this upward trend continues. Consumers are rightly becoming increasingly critical. A pivotal topic for us this year is the integration of handicrafts such as guilloche and skelletonizing. The individualization of jewelry pieces is becoming increasingly important." Gerd-Rüdiger Lang, Founder and Owner of Chronoswiss

Elysee:
"Quality 'Made in Germany' is still very well received internationally. As a result, we decided to expand our Elysee men's watch collection, whereby we are using high-quality Swiss watchworks more. The highlight at our booth will again be our old-timer, which - exhibited at a conspicuous spot - also attracted a lot of people last year. Consequently, inhorgenta europe is an ideal platform for the German market. In the past years, however, we were also able to detect increased interest of our numerous foreign customers." Claudia Hermann, Marketing Manager at ELYSEE Uhren GmbH

Fossil:
"We are at inhorgenta europe for the 10th time this year. Meeting retailers and cultivating contacts is primary for us here. Thanks to our spacious trade fair booth concept, we can present the complete variety of the Fossil Group at a glance to our customers and those interested. Among other things, there is a new watch model from Philippe Starck. The charm fever also seems unabated, so that we are again exhibiting small pendants for collecting this year." “Christian Coenen, Sales Director and Member of Management at Fossil (Europe) GmbH

Frey Wille:
"Everything revolves around the new collection "Ode to Joy of Life", which we are presenting for the first time this year at inhorgenta europe. The designs emphasize various aspects of the joy of life and have shining colors. inhorgenta europe is the most important trade fair in German-speaking regions for us. There is really nothing comparable in the jewelry sector. We expect a lot of interest from retailers in our new products, for example, our elegant cascade pendants and matching silk stoles.” Katharina Weinrother, Communications Manager at FREY WILLE

Glanz und Gloria by Beatrice Müller:
"Glanz und Gloria is a still young genuine jewelry brand, which is exhibiting in Munich for the third time. In Hall C2, inhorgenta europe is providing a platform for jewelry brands, goldsmiths and designers, which set themselves apart from the mainstream thanks to extraordinary ideas, creations and selection of materials. Our collection 2008 is opulent-feminine; we are betting on precious stones in gorgeous colors, which underline the sensual side of jewelry. And jewelry must feel good, in other words, it must be pleasant to wear." Jute In gala, Press Spokesperson at Glanz und Gloria by Beatrice Müller

LEONARDO:
"We are at inhorgenta europe for the 1st time this year. Establishing contacts in the industry is of pivotal importance for us with the launch of the new jewelry brand Jewels by LEONARDO. Of course, to set up sales channels too. We believe that inhorgenta europe is an especially good platform for our "Jewels". We are active in this industry, because we believe in an upward trend. Consequently, we are going to exhibit our complete glass and jewelry collection at the Munich trade fair. Otherwise, white and black remain and color is coming." Frank Friedl, Sales Director of Jewels by LEONARDO

Niessing:
“inhorgenta europe is one of the best platforms for designer jewelry. The ambience is excellent, especially in Hall C2, where Niessing traditionally exhibits its collections. The increasing acceptance of the trade fair by international trade fair visitors is also something that we find very praiseworthy. Many export markets, on which Niessing has not been active till now, present interesting potential for us. We provide products, which are innovative in their design and production technology: the classics of tomorrow." Jutta Ingala, Press Spokesperson at Niessing

Thomas Sabo:
"We are betting completely on fashion impressions from metropolises with our Sterling silver collection this year. To address our customers in a more targeted manner, we have implemented clearer segmenting in the areas of Unisex, Seasonal and Classic. We also believe in the continuation of the collection passion for charm pendants. Consequently, we are offering about 500 pendants in our Charm Club collection this year. We have been exhibiting at inhorgenta europe for many years in the meantime and are very pleased that the trade fair has become our 'home fair' with international attraction." Sonja Opel, Marketing / PR Manager at THOMAS SABO

Victor Mayer:
"We are at the fair for at least the 10th time this year. For inhorgenta europe 2008, we have thought of something special. We are concentrating completely on cufflinks and matching men's jewelry. Although we think that the growth of the past years will abate during the course of this year, this makes inhorgenta europe that much more important for us to access new, rapidly growing markets. The great thing about this season? Jewelry can be combined with all colors with the upcoming fashion color white."   Wolfgang Blaich, Sales Representative at Victor Mayer
   
10/MK