Memorable Moments: What Shook The Watch World In 2025?
In 2025, the Swiss watch industry faced significant challenges, particularly highlighted by the imposition of a 39% tariff on Swiss timepieces by the U.S. government on Swiss National Day, August 1st. This unexpected turn prompted a swift response from industry leaders, culminating in negotiations that ultimately reduced the tariff to 15%. Despite initial fears, sales of Swiss luxury watches in the U.S. remained strong, partly due to brands preemptively shipping additional inventory to mitigate the impact of the higher tariffs. However, the lingering uncertainty surrounding future tariffs and rising living costs posed concerns for consumer spending in the luxury watch sector. Amidst these challenges, 2025 also brought remarkable innovations in watchmaking, with brands like Rolex and Breguet unveiling advanced technologies such as high-frequency movements and magnetic escapements. The year concluded with significant awards recognizing outstanding achievements in the industry, particularly for Breguet's Classique Souscription 2025. Additionally, LVMH made strategic moves to strengthen its position in the luxury watch market, including acquiring a minority stake in movement manufacturer La Joux-Perret. This combination of adversity and innovation marked 2025 as a pivotal year for the watch world, setting the stage for an uncertain yet potentially transformative 2026.
