The Baselworld jewelry show in Basel, Switzerland showcased some of the most beautiful diamond jewelry in the world—but it was the diamond watches that really got everyone's attention. 

The biggest influence at the event? Simply put, the reinvention of luxury watches and the need luxury watch companies felt that they needed to reinvent themselves to inspire their customers to buy watches.  Now that smart phones like iPhone, Android, and HTC are methods for telling time and setting alarms, there's no need for people to have watches on hand for usage.

Watch companies like Japanese brand Casio have hit upon something really smart.  Instead of competing against these smart phones, which have so many more advantages, they have created luxury watches that work in conjunction with smart phones.

While some watchmakers took luxury phones and integrated mechanical watches and others invented watches with touch screens, Casio created watches that communicate with smart phones.       

Casio managing director Hiroshi Nakamura says that Casio has come up with a creative strategy to infuse mobile phones and watches.  If a mobile phone rings during an important meeting or on the bus when you'd rather not be interrupted, a simple tap of the watch would stop the ring.

"You don't always keep a mobile phone in your hands, you'll put it in your bag. So it's easier when you're receiving a call to just tap on the watch," Nakamura said.
If an email comes to the smartphone, the watch would also show a message that the phone has received mail.

The smart thing that Casio has done is that they're not using the watch to take over the smart phone.  They know that smartphones will always be around.  And they hope watches will, too.  Instead, they have more idea for wristwatch use.
The watch will be available at the end of the year.

At the event, luxury watches also made a bold fashion and art statement. 
On hand at the watch and jewelry show, a $2.8 million diamond-studded watch which took the reins as the biggest watch in the world.  It was merely a sketched design last year, which was taken over by diamond cutters, diamond setters, gemstone setters and watch constructors, then formulated to become a 18k white gold Vendome Tourbillon. The entire process took a year and was just finished prior to Baselworld 2011.

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