Swiss Watchmakers Sound Upbeat on US as Long as Stocks Last
A surge in exports in July should shield Swiss watch brands from the full impact of a new 39 percent U.S. tariff

It’s a case of winners and losers for Swiss watchmakers, as the strongest brands shoot ahead, widening the gap with their smaller rivals, writes Robin Swithinbank. Plus, Rolex’s LIV Golf tie-up and The Honourable Merchants Group’s pause.

It’s a case of winners and losers for Swiss watchmakers, as the strongest brands shoot ahead, widening the gap with their smaller rivals, writes Robin Swithinbank. Plus, Rolex’s LIV Golf tie-up and The Honourable Merchants Group’s pause.

After a prolonged slump, the secondary market for luxury watches is recovering, though it remains sensitive to economic instability, writes Andrea Felsted.

After a prolonged slump, the secondary market for luxury watches is recovering, though it remains sensitive to economic instability, writes Andrea Felsted.

Robin Swithinbank dials in from LVMH Watch Week in Milan with details on the difficulties at TAG Heuer, Hublot’s new life beyond football and the question of Zenith’s future in the group.

Robin Swithinbank dials in from LVMH Watch Week in Milan with details on the difficulties at TAG Heuer, Hublot’s new life beyond football and the question of Zenith’s future in the group.

Antoine Pin has left the helm of LVMH’s biggest watch label, the group confirmed, increasing uncertainty at a watches division already buffeted by a challenging market ahead of the company’s Watch Week showcase in Milan.

Antoine Pin has left the helm of LVMH’s biggest watch label, the group confirmed, increasing uncertainty at a watches division already buffeted by a challenging market ahead of the company’s Watch Week showcase in Milan.

As gold tops $4,600 per ounce, executives including Breitling CEO Georges Kern are bracing for a hit to margins. Solutions range from seeking new materials to raising prices or postponing gold purchases.

As gold tops $4,600 per ounce, executives including Breitling CEO Georges Kern are bracing for a hit to margins. Solutions range from seeking new materials to raising prices or postponing gold purchases.

Both the Rolex Day-Date in white gold and its counterpart in platinum are investments, but one trades at a much higher premium to fundamentals, observes Bloomberg’s Felix Salmon.

Both the Rolex Day-Date in white gold and its counterpart in platinum are investments, but one trades at a much higher premium to fundamentals, observes Bloomberg’s Felix Salmon.

Perhaps more like a screen. A decade after Apple Watch, industrial design legend Marc Newson returns to watchmaking to partner with Ressence, the Belgian startup known for its dome-like crystal designs. Newson aims to challenge a watchmaking industry that’s become obsessed with technical innovation at the expense of design.

Perhaps more like a screen. A decade after Apple Watch, industrial design legend Marc Newson returns to watchmaking to partner with Ressence, the Belgian startup known for its dome-like crystal designs. Newson aims to challenge a watchmaking industry that’s become obsessed with technical innovation at the expense of design.

Young buyers are increasingly opting for smaller, dressier timepieces, boosting Cartier-owner Richemont’s sales, says Andrea Felsted.

Young buyers are increasingly opting for smaller, dressier timepieces, boosting Cartier-owner Richemont’s sales, says Andrea Felsted.

Amid a global downturn, the Middle East is emerging as the watch industry’s most promising frontier. But questions over tariffs, inventories and the relevance of blockbuster fairs persist. At Dubai Watch Week, Robin Swithinbank took the temperature, speaking to the CEOs of Audemars Piguet, Breitling, Chopard, LVMH’s Hublot and more.

Amid a global downturn, the Middle East is emerging as the watch industry’s most promising frontier. But questions over tariffs, inventories and the relevance of blockbuster fairs persist. At Dubai Watch Week, Robin Swithinbank took the temperature, speaking to the CEOs of Audemars Piguet, Breitling, Chopard, LVMH’s Hublot and more.

Marc Hayek, Blancpain’s CEO and a member of the family that controls Swatch Group, warns aggressive price hikes at Omega, Longines and more are undermining performance even as his own brand seeks to get back in the conversation with a $2 million dollar watch.

Marc Hayek, Blancpain’s CEO and a member of the family that controls Swatch Group, warns aggressive price hikes at Omega, Longines and more are undermining performance even as his own brand seeks to get back in the conversation with a $2 million dollar watch.

In a rare public appearance, CEO Jean-Frédéric Dufour reaffirmed the brand’s wholesale model and urged unity as Swiss watchmakers battle a market downturn.

In a rare public appearance, CEO Jean-Frédéric Dufour reaffirmed the brand’s wholesale model and urged unity as Swiss watchmakers battle a market downturn.

The US secondary watch market is stabilising, with prices likely to keep rising for top brands like Rolex and Patek Philippe, Andrea Felsted writes.

The US secondary watch market is stabilising, with prices likely to keep rising for top brands like Rolex and Patek Philippe, Andrea Felsted writes.
A surge in exports in July should shield Swiss watch brands from the full impact of a new 39 percent U.S. tariff
LVMH has appointed Jean-Christophe Babin to the helm of LVMH Watches, succeeding LVMH-scion Frédéric Arnault, the group announced in a statement on Friday. The role oversees LVMH’s watch brands TAG Heuer, Hublot, and Zenith. Babin will maintain his position as CEO of Bulgari.
Rolex was fined about $100 million by France’s antitrust agency for pursuing an illegal decade-long crackdown on distributors selling the Swiss firm’s luxury watches online.