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

Swatch Group CEO Nick Hayek has front-loaded shipments to the US, is targeting American shoppers as they travel abroad and has raised its prices as it grapples with a new 39 percent US tariff on Swiss-made products.

Swatch Group CEO Nick Hayek has front-loaded shipments to the US, is targeting American shoppers as they travel abroad and has raised its prices as it grapples with a new 39 percent US tariff on Swiss-made products.

As the luxury watch sector experiences shifting consumer preferences and market contraction, brands are seeking new paths to relevance and growth. Here, BoF speaks with Benjamin Arabo, chief executive officer of Jacob & Co., to understand how the American company is evolving its efforts to disrupt traditional watchmaking.

As the luxury watch sector experiences shifting consumer preferences and market contraction, brands are seeking new paths to relevance and growth. Here, BoF speaks with Benjamin Arabo, chief executive officer of Jacob & Co., to understand how the American company is evolving its efforts to disrupt traditional watchmaking.

The Swiss owner of Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels and other brands has avoided the luxury slump. Sluggish watch sales and local competition in China threaten to spoil the party.

The Swiss owner of Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels and other brands has avoided the luxury slump. Sluggish watch sales and local competition in China threaten to spoil the party.

From Tiffany blue to Barbie pink, distinctive colours are driving consumer interest in a slowing watch market, helping industry giants like Rolex and startups like Norqain alike court new buyers — especially younger collectors and women.

From Tiffany blue to Barbie pink, distinctive colours are driving consumer interest in a slowing watch market, helping industry giants like Rolex and startups like Norqain alike court new buyers — especially younger collectors and women.

The sector is facing double-digit sales declines and a crisis of relevance. ‘A watch has become a cultural object of sophistication… but culture has to constantly reinvent, otherwise it can disappear,’ said former Cartier boss Cyrille Vigneron.

The sector is facing double-digit sales declines and a crisis of relevance. ‘A watch has become a cultural object of sophistication… but culture has to constantly reinvent, otherwise it can disappear,’ said former Cartier boss Cyrille Vigneron.

After three years of declines, prices of pre-owned watches appear to have bottomed out.

After three years of declines, prices of pre-owned watches appear to have bottomed out.

A group of investors is reviving has 'resurrected' the Danish watch company Urban Jürgensen, a 250-year-old name revered by connoisseurs but largely unknown outside that bubble.

A group of investors is reviving has 'resurrected' the Danish watch company Urban Jürgensen, a 250-year-old name revered by connoisseurs but largely unknown outside that bubble.

The price of Swiss watches has continued to rise, leaving watchmakers battling to bolster their value propositions amid a downturn in luxury spending.

The price of Swiss watches has continued to rise, leaving watchmakers battling to bolster their value propositions amid a downturn in luxury spending.

CEOs of the Geneva watch fair’s organising foundation, LVMH’s watchmaking division, Piaget and Breitling sound off on the latest edition. Bulgari has entered the fold, but Breitling, Audemars Piguet and Swatch continued to snub the expo.

CEOs of the Geneva watch fair’s organising foundation, LVMH’s watchmaking division, Piaget and Breitling sound off on the latest edition. Bulgari has entered the fold, but Breitling, Audemars Piguet and Swatch continued to snub the expo.

Inside the painstaking design and development of the brand’s new Oyster Perpetual Land-Dweller.

Inside the painstaking design and development of the brand’s new Oyster Perpetual Land-Dweller.

The Swiss brand revealed a new collection fronted by Austin Butler and priced from $5,600 — considered a competitive price point for watches with in-house mechanical movements — as well as relaunching the Gallet brand with watches to be priced from $3,300. The moves defy the industry’s recent focus on top-end launches.

The Swiss brand revealed a new collection fronted by Austin Butler and priced from $5,600 — considered a competitive price point for watches with in-house mechanical movements — as well as relaunching the Gallet brand with watches to be priced from $3,300. The moves defy the industry’s recent focus on top-end launches.

Swiss watchmaker Richard Mille is renewing its deal with Ferrari and its F1 team. Limited quantities and savvy marketing plays have helped the brand build a $1.7 billion business—and steer clear of a downturn plaguing the luxury watch sector.

Swiss watchmaker Richard Mille is renewing its deal with Ferrari and its F1 team. Limited quantities and savvy marketing plays have helped the brand build a $1.7 billion business—and steer clear of a downturn plaguing the luxury watch sector.
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.