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Biver has expanded its retail partner network by signing Ace Jewelers as an Authorized Retail Partner, marking Ace as only the third partner for Biver in Europe, alongside Bucherer and À l’Émeraude. Based in Amsterdam, Ace Jewelers has a strong focus on high-end independent watch brands and aims to
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Richemont is undergoing a leadership rotation within its USA operations, affecting several luxury watch brands. Philippe Bonay, who led Panerai's USA division for 14 years, has recently departed and remains unfilled. Meanwhile, Charles Dubos, previously IWC's brand director in the Netherlands and Nordics, is stepping into
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A Singapore watch boutique employee, Soh Jian Kun, has pleaded guilty to a scam that defrauded 14 victims of nearly $500,000 by promising access to rare luxury watches. Claiming he could secure coveted models from brands like Rolex and Patek Philippe through a staff purchase scheme, he instead provided
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Bell & Ross has officially partnered with Defender Rally as the timing partner for the World Rally-Raid Championship (W2RC) in 2026. The collaboration will see the French-Swiss watchmaker equip the Defender D7X-R team with its flagship BR-X3 Black Titanium watch, designed to endure the extreme conditions of rally-raid racing. This
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Rolex has implemented a significant retail price increase of approximately 7% across its catalog as of January 2026, with gold models experiencing the sharpest hikes of around 8-9%. This pattern of annual price adjustments is not new for luxury brands, and while general inflation is often cited as a reason,
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Andersen Genève has introduced the Rattrapante Mondiale, an impressive addition to its lineup that combines a world time complication with the Venus 179 split-seconds chronograph movement. This watch features a unique two-level world time display, crafted entirely by hand, showcasing Andersen's commitment to artisanal watchmaking. The design is
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Rolex has increased its watch prices by nearly 6% as of January 2026, continuing the tradition of annual price hikes. Historically, these increases have typically been around 3-4%, but the latest adjustments reflect various market conditions, including rising gold prices. For example, the yellow gold Cosmograph Daytona has seen a
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"Man of the Hour," a documentary series focusing on independent watchmakers, is set to stream in the United States starting January 9, following its debut in Asia and the Middle East in November. The eight-part series, hosted by Wei Koh, explores the artistry and innovation of modern watchmaking,
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Eric Macaire, the executive director of global buying and merchandising at Watches of Switzerland Group, has announced his departure from the company and relocation to Dubai. In a LinkedIn post, he highlighted the Gulf region as a land of opportunity, emphasizing the rapid growth and vision of the Gulf Cooperation
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Richard Mille has formed a partnership with French freestyle skier Arthur de Villaucourt, enhancing the brand's foothold in elite winter sports. At just 22 years old, de Villaucourt is a mogul skiing specialist aiming for a spot in the world top 30 and qualification for the 2026 Winter
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Cartier is set to open a significant new three-story boutique on Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills, marking one of its largest retail investments in the United States. This new location, referred to as a fourth “Temple” for the brand, has faced delays since its initial approval in 2018 but received
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Ulysse Nardin achieved impressive double-digit sales growth in the tumultuous year of 2025, driven by strategic stock movements in response to fluctuating tariff rates on Swiss watches. The brand's president for the United States noted that the anticipation of price increases motivated both retailers and customers to act
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Kari Voutilainen has stepped down as co-CEO of Urban Jürgensen after four years, transitioning to the roles of Board Member and Senior Strategic Advisor. In this new capacity, he will focus on guiding the brand's long-term strategy and advising on product development, while stepping away from daily operations
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Bell & Ross has launched a partnership with Defender Rally, becoming the Official Timing Partner for the team's participation in the World Rally-Raid Championship. The collaboration kicked off with the Dakar Rally 2026 in Saudi Arabia, where Bell & Ross will support the team across various rally-raid events
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The secondary market for Rolex watches experienced a significant rise in prices during the first three quarters of 2025, peaking at a median price of £17,000 by mid-September. However, this momentum faded in the fourth quarter, ending the year with a median price of £16,310, marking an annual
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Rolex, Tudor, and Audemars Piguet have implemented significant price increases in 2026, with Rolex raising prices in the UK by an average of 5%, while U.S. prices increased by around 7%. These adjustments are attributed to factors such as record gold prices, higher tariffs in the U.S., and
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The 2026 Rolex price list reveals a price increase ranging from 2% to 6% depending on the materials and models chosen. This reflects a consistent trend seen in prior years, where gold and platinum models experience more significant price hikes compared to stainless steel variations. The latest price adjustments are
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Swedish watchmaker GoS is transitioning from pricing its products in US dollars to euros due to the significant weakening of the dollar in 2025. Owner Patrik Sjögren anticipates this change will result in an approximate 17% price increase. For over 15 years, prices were set in dollars primarily to cater
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A recent report highlights a notable disparity in the watch market, revealing that while 29% of watch sales occur online, the premium and ultra-luxury segments see only 10 to 15% of sales through digital channels. The high-end watch industry has traditionally resisted online sales, believing that luxury products require a
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Bob’s Watches is set to launch a luxury pre-owned watch boutique at New York's JFK Airport on December 19, marking a significant first for the airport as it will be the inaugural luxury pre-owned watch retailer within a major international hub. Travelers will have the opportunity to
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As Swiss watchmakers face significant price increases due to tariffs and inflation, there has been a rising interest in alternative independent brands from countries like France and Germany. These independent watchmakers are redefining the watch market by directly engaging with consumers through social media and creating unique, authentic products. Organizations
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Brian Duffy, CEO of Watches of Switzerland, discusses the company's philanthropic initiatives, emphasizing the establishment of the Watches of Switzerland Group Foundation to enhance the structure and focus of their charitable work. The Foundation, aimed at addressing youth, education, and disadvantage, has raised £8.5 million, which is
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As 2025 comes to a close, the watch industry is bracing for a challenging year ahead in 2026, with anticipated price increases driven by factors such as record gold prices, inflation, and tariffs on Swiss imports. Major brands like Rolex are expected to raise prices significantly, particularly for gold watches,
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Swedish start-up Neumann, founded by husband and wife team Rebecka and Thomas Neumann, has unveiled its classic Automatic Collection, which draws inspiration from mid-century styles. Their first collection, Initial No.1, features quartz movements and is priced between $561 and $583. The brand is now crowdfunding its second collection of
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Tudor USA has announced that it will limit price increases for 2026 to between 4% and 8%, particularly affecting steel watches that comprise over 90% of its product line. The price hikes will see simpler steel models increase by around 4.5%, while more complex chronographs will experience rises of
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The secondary watch market has experienced significant growth, impacting the primary market by revealing the true value of watches. While many timepieces depreciate immediately after purchase, the secondary market offers opportunities for buyers to find historical and vintage pieces that connect them to watchmaking heritage. Panelists from a discussion on
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The concept of a "sleeper" watch refers to timepieces that are outstanding yet not immediately obvious in their appeal; they possess unique qualities that may not be widely recognized. Featured watches such as the Zenith G.F.J., with its exquisite blue tones and luxurious platinum bracelet, exemplify
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The Louis Vuitton Watch Prize for Independent Creatives is set to enter its final round in the spring of 2026, celebrating innovative watchmakers who defy traditional norms. The 2025–2026 edition attracted submissions globally, leading to the selection of 20 semifinalists evaluated by a panel of 65 industry experts based
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Kari Voutilainen is stepping back from his day-to-day executive role at Urban Jürgensen, where he has worked alongside co-CEO Alex Rosenfield for four years to relaunch the brand. Voutilainen will transition to focusing on watchmaking and development while remaining a shareholder, board member, and senior strategic advisor. This change follows
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Pragnell, the jeweler based in Stratford-Upon-Avon, achieved record sales of £100.5 million in the 2024-25 financial year, marking a significant milestone as it became the sixth largest jeweler in the UK. Despite a 6% increase in revenue, rising costs related to retail expansion led to an 11% decline in