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Watches

Is the Storm Blowing Over for Watchmakers? Yes and No

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.

Is the Storm Blowing Over for Watchmakers? Yes and No

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.


Opinion: Want That Bargain Rolex? Better Act Fast

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

Opinion: Want That Bargain Rolex? Better Act Fast

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


LVMH’s Watches Unit Is Under a Cloud of Uncertainty. What Happens Next?

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.

LVMH’s Watches Unit Is Under a Cloud of Uncertainty. What Happens Next?

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.


TAG Heuer CEO Exits, Adding to LVMH Watches Woes

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.

TAG Heuer CEO Exits, Adding to LVMH Watches Woes

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.


How Watchmakers Are Dealing With Soaring Gold Prices

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.

How Watchmakers Are Dealing With Soaring Gold Prices

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.


These Rolexes Look Identical. Why Is the Gold One $17,000 Cheaper?

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.

These Rolexes Look Identical. Why Is the Gold One $17,000 Cheaper?

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.


What Should a 21st Century Mechanical Watch Look Like?

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.

What Should a 21st Century Mechanical Watch Look Like?

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.


Opinion: Cartier Is Becoming Gen Z’s Rolex With Help from Taylor Swift

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

Opinion: Cartier Is Becoming Gen Z’s Rolex With Help from Taylor Swift

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


Dubai Fair Doubles Attendance as Luxury Watchmakers Turn East

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.

Dubai Fair Doubles Attendance as Luxury Watchmakers Turn East

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.


Have Luxury Watches Become Too Expensive?

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.

Have Luxury Watches Become Too Expensive?

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.


Rolex Rejects Retail Push Amid Industry Upheaval

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.

Rolex Rejects Retail Push Amid Industry Upheaval

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.


Opinion: Rolex Prices Ride High on Tariffs, Gold

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

Opinion: Rolex Prices Ride High on Tariffs, Gold

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