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
Watches
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.
TAG Heuer and New Balance Team Up on a High-End Collaboration
The companies are releasing a co-branded smartwatch and running shoe as they look to burnish their high-performance credentials.
TAG Heuer and New Balance Team Up on a High-End Collaboration
The companies are releasing a co-branded smartwatch and running shoe as they look to burnish their high-performance credentials.
Swiss Offer Trump Sweetener on Gold to Get Better Tariff Deal
Switzerland has offered to invest in the US gold-refining industry, as part of its efforts to persuade the Trump administration to lower the 39 percent import tariff imposed last month.
Swiss Offer Trump Sweetener on Gold to Get Better Tariff Deal
Switzerland has offered to invest in the US gold-refining industry, as part of its efforts to persuade the Trump administration to lower the 39 percent import tariff imposed last month.
Audemars Piguet Chief Comes Out Swinging
The Swiss watchmaker, which grew 12 sales percent in the year to August, will exhibit at Watches and Wonders Geneva next spring, chief executive Ilaria Resta said in a wide-ranging interview.
Audemars Piguet Chief Comes Out Swinging
The Swiss watchmaker, which grew 12 sales percent in the year to August, will exhibit at Watches and Wonders Geneva next spring, chief executive Ilaria Resta said in a wide-ranging interview.
In Geneva, Luxury Watch Leaders Brace for US Tariffs Impact
Chief executives said they planned to raise prices while cutting margins.
In Geneva, Luxury Watch Leaders Brace for US Tariffs Impact
Chief executives said they planned to raise prices while cutting margins.
Shinola’s Message to Swiss Watchmakers: Come to Detroit
The American watch brand has launched a campaign to encourage its Swiss rivals to consider manufacturing in the US in the face of steep tariffs.
Shinola’s Message to Swiss Watchmakers: Come to Detroit
The American watch brand has launched a campaign to encourage its Swiss rivals to consider manufacturing in the US in the face of steep tariffs.
Beyond Rolex: Luxury Brands Play For Visibility on the Tennis Court
At the US Open, global names like Audemars Piguet and Miu Miu and niche players like Gerald Charles and Norqain are all betting on tennis as a showcase for brand prestige — despite Rolex’s ever-increasing dominance in the sport.
Beyond Rolex: Luxury Brands Play For Visibility on the Tennis Court
At the US Open, global names like Audemars Piguet and Miu Miu and niche players like Gerald Charles and Norqain are all betting on tennis as a showcase for brand prestige — despite Rolex’s ever-increasing dominance in the sport.
Swatch’s Racism Controversy Ticks Up Growing Challenges
The Swiss watch giant is under fire for an ad depicting an Asian model pulling their eyes into slits — sparking outrage in China, its biggest market. The backlash comes as tariffs, a strong franc and weak demand weigh on the watch industry like rarely before.
Swatch’s Racism Controversy Ticks Up Growing Challenges
The Swiss watch giant is under fire for an ad depicting an Asian model pulling their eyes into slits — sparking outrage in China, its biggest market. The backlash comes as tariffs, a strong franc and weak demand weigh on the watch industry like rarely before.
End Times for Swiss Watchmakers?
This week, President Trump’s tariff on Switzerland went into effect, landing levies of 39 percent on every watch the country exports to the US. For some Swiss watchmakers, the threat is existential.
End Times for Swiss Watchmakers?
This week, President Trump’s tariff on Switzerland went into effect, landing levies of 39 percent on every watch the country exports to the US. For some Swiss watchmakers, the threat is existential.
THE NEWS IN BRIEF
Jean-Christophe Babin Named CEO of LVMH Watches
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 Fined $100 Million for Thwarting Online Watch Sales
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.