Episode Details

You’ll hear JCK editor-in-chief Victoria Gomelsky and news director Rob Bates discuss the Dubai Horology Forum in New York, the Facets 2022 conference in Antwerp, and Victoria’s tour of Cartier’s watchmaking facilities. They talk about some futuristic concepts, such as “digital twins,” that are being implemented in the Cartier facilities. They also talk about the old craftsmanship that endures, and what the future might hold as things continue to change in the jewelry industry.

Show Notes

00:30 Victoria is heading to the Dubai Horology Forum in New York City

03:30 Rob recaps the Facets 2022 conference in Antwerp

09:20 Victoria went to Lausanne to do a press tour of Cartier’s headquarters

21:35 They talk about the end of the JA Summer show

Episode Credits

Hosts: Rob Bates and Victoria Gomelsky

Producer and engineer: Natalie Chomet

Plugs: jckonline.com @jckmagazine

Show Recap

Horology Forum in New York

Victoria is heading to the Dubai Horology Forum for the first time. It’s been going on since 2015, and attracts the world’s top watchmakers and brands. Styled as an educational platform, the show isn’t focused on selling. It will have lectures, panels, and thought-provoking conversation. They’re taking their traveling edition to New York City this year, so Victoria will be in attendance. (The event has already taken place since the podcast has aired.)

Facets 2022 Show in Antwerp

Rob virtually attended a conference in Antwerp called Facets 2022. It was one of the first big industry conferences since Covid, and a good opportunity for the industry to share some of the lessons learned.

The prime minister of Belgium, Alexander De Croo, spoke, giving a strong endorsement of Russian diamonds coming to Antwerp. Though the stance may be controversial, his rationale was that it would hurt Belgium more than it would hurt Russia by not letting these diamonds in—that they would just end up going to Dubai.

De Beers CEO Bruce Cleaver also spoke. He was asked about their contract with Botswana. His reasoning for why it hasn’t it been signed yet was nuanced: It’s not just about the diamond contract, there’s also the question of mine leases. This is how De Beers negotiates the rent it pays for the land. It’s an important, technical thing that takes time, and something they don’t want to get wrong.

David Kelly of Natural Diamond Council was also there. He reported that because Alrosa has left the council, they will experience a loss of nearly half of their funding in 2023.

Sustainability and Gender Gap Issues

Iris Van der Veken also spoke at the conference. At the first Facets show she attended 12 years ago (also in Antwerp), she had to ask the moderator to do a session on sustainability. It had been a tiny panel that was attended by a handful of people. Now, sustainability is front and center. She drew attention to how much the mindset has shifted since then. She also pointed out another problem in the diamond industry. The marketing is “all about her,” meaning the consumer. But the panels at the show were mostly comprised of men. She underlined the gender gap that remains an issue in the industry.

The Magical Watchmaking Tour

Victoria went to Copenhagen for both work and pl