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Breitring, owned by private‑equity firms Partners Group and CVC Capital Partners, is confronting an 11 % decline in global sales to CHF 769 million and a 21 % drop in adjusted EBITDA profit to CHF 162 million for the year ending March 2025. The slowdown, driven by a stronger Swiss franc,
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The secondary market for luxury watches is experiencing a gentle recovery, with pre‑owned Rolex prices rising 1.7% in the first quarter of 2026 and other top brands such as Patek Philippe, Cartier, Omega, and Audemars Piguet also showing modest gains. Morgan Stanley and WatchCharts report that 25 of
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Steven Wood, founder and CIO of GreenWood Investors, failed for a second consecutive year to secure a seat on the Swatch Group board, losing 79.6% of the vote against favored candidate Andreas Rickenbacher, who was elected with 92.2% support. Wood argues that the Hayek family’s tight control
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Swatch has confirmed a collaboration with Audemars Piguet that will debut on May 16, marking one of the year’s most anticipated watch releases. The partnership builds on the success of previous collaborations, such as the MoonSwatch, and hints at a product that may blend Swatch’s “Pop” line aesthetics
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Cartier’s watch division has outperformed the broader Swiss‑watch market, becoming the second‑largest watch brand by sales and achieving an estimated $3 billion in 2025, up from under $2 billion in 2019. Strong performance stems from a blend of affordable pricing—average around CHF 6,000 per piece—
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Tudor has entered a partnership with the Japan Sumo Association, linking the Swiss watchmaker’s “Born To Dare” philosophy to the centuries‑old traditions of Grand Sumo. The collaboration highlights the brand’s commitment to heritage and precision, drawing parallels between the discipline of sumo and the craftsmanship of Tudor’
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Phillips’ Geneva Watch Auction XXIII shattered 43 world records and saw 14 timepieces exceed CHF 1 million, culminating in a total of CHF 75 million (approximately $96 million) raised from 224 lots. The auction highlighted extraordinary pieces such as a pink‑on‑pink Patek Philippe Ref. 1518 sold for CHF
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The new CEO, Dieter Pachner, brings a blend of high‑volume retail expertise and luxury watch experience to Certina, focusing on revitalising the brand through a sport‑first strategy and deeper consumer engagement. By listening to teams and partners, he has reinforced Certina’s core pillars—diving, cross‑country skiing
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Swatch and Audemars Piguet have confirmed their collaboration on a new “Royal Pop” pocket watch, blending Swatch’s playful Bioceramic design with the iconic Royal Oak case. The piece will be a colorful, lanyard‑worn accessory available in eight variants, drawing inspiration from Swatch’s earlier MoonSwatch venture while offering
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Chronopolis debuted in Geneva during Watches and Wonders week 2026, offering a relaxed, community‑focused alternative to traditional watch fairs. Founded by Lorenzo Maillard and Maxime Couturier, the event prioritized conversation and atmosphere over footfall, featuring a sold‑out first edition with a vibrant mix of collectors, retailers, press, and
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eBay has integrated Enquirus into its Authenticity Guarantee service across the UK, US, and Germany, adding a layer of protection for luxury watch transactions. Every watch authenticated through the program will now be cross‑checked against Enquirus’ global database of lost and stolen timepieces, enhancing trust and transparency in the
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The collaboration between Swatch and Audemars Piguet, dubbed “Royal Pop,” is generating intense buzz as the rumored release approaches. Swatch has trademarked the name and teased the partnership with typography and design cues that echo the iconic Royal Oak aesthetic, while hints suggest a bioceramic case and a possible modular
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The newly formed House of Brands unites three distinct luxury watchmakers—Breitling, Universal Genève, and Gallet—each targeting a specific market segment. Breitling occupies the mid‑range tier alongside Omega and TAG Heuer, Universal Genève aims for the prestige segment competing with Rolex and Audemars Piguet, and Gallet focuses on
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Chrono24 announced the promotion of its chief growth officer, José Gaztelu, to CEO after a nine‑month search, marking a key leadership transition for the luxury watch marketplace. Gaztelu, who joined the company in July 2025, has driven initiatives to strengthen the leadership team, expand buyer and seller relationships, and
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Bamford London, originally a pure DTC online brand founded in 2009, is expanding its reach by partnering with ChronoTime, the wholesale arm of Ace Jewelers in Amsterdam. This new global distribution agreement aims to strengthen Bamford’s presence in multibrand retail, leveraging ChronoTime’s existing relationships with independent watchmakers and
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The golden Rolex GMT‑Master II Ref. 116758SANR, embellished with diamonds and previously seen on Drake’s 2011 Take Care album cover and the “Marvin’s Room” video, was listed for $500,000 by Palm Beach specialist Wind Vintage. The watch attracted four offers and sold at the full asking
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Rolex has quietly introduced a substantial update to its Datejust 41 and 36 collections for 2026, focusing on redesigned Roman numeral dials. The new numerals feature sharper, sans‑serif shapes composed of separate elements, giving the watches a flatter, angular appearance with a thicker profile, while the traditional baton marker
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FundTime LLC has made its first investment in Swiss watchmaker Mauron Musy, becoming the brand’s exclusive distributor in the United States. The partnership provides Mauron Musy with increased financial resources and a strategic channel to reach American collectors, while allowing FundTime to support an independent brand known for its
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Richard Mille has renewed its partnership with the Fondation Beyeler in Basel, marking the fourth year of collaboration that began in 2023. The renewed alliance highlights a shared commitment to contemporary art, cultural excellence, and the preservation of artistic heritage, and is celebrated through the launch of Engadin. An Art
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Watches of Switzerland opened a new 5,400‑square‑foot multibrand showroom in the Southdale Center mall in Edina, Minnesota, marking the brand’s first dedicated presence in America’s Midwest. The store features a Rolex corner, a Cartier shop‑in‑shop, and displays for a range of luxury brands
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The H. Moser & Cie Pioneer Tourbillon, created exclusively for Bucherer, showcases a striking pink and blue design inspired by Miami’s vibrant skies and the Art Deco architecture of South Beach. The dial features a gradient blue fumé with a vivid pink flange, while the tourbillon at six o’
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Sotheby’s Hong Kong achieved a historic milestone by selling a 1987 Cartier London Crash for $1.99 million, nearly $2 million, far surpassing its pre‑sale estimate. The watch, one of only three made that year, attracted intense bidding from a Japanese collector, highlighting the enduring appeal of vintage
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Japanese watchmakers have dramatically outperformed Swiss rivals over the past five years, with Seiko’s share price rising 512% and Citizen’s up 388%, while Swiss groups like Swatch have seen a 35% decline. The Swiss market has consolidated around a few luxury brands that sell fewer watches at higher
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The 2026 NFL Draft showcased a striking array of luxury watches worn by players, highlighting both brand loyalty and personal style. Several athletes, including three players and NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, chose Breitling as the official timepiece partner, while many others gravitated toward Rolex, which dominated the night with at
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Shin Ohno won the 12th F.P. Journe Young Talent Competition with the Fuyu‑Geshiki, a compact grande and petite sonnerie tourbillon clock inspired by Nagano’s winter landscape. Crafted largely by hand using a watchmaker’s lathe, desktop CNC mill, and extensive personal study, the ebony‑cased piece showcases
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Swiss watch exports showed modest growth in the first quarter of 2026, reaching CHF 6.2 billion, a 1.4 % increase over the previous year after a 1 % decline in March. While most markets are stabilising, France experienced a sharp rise of about 55 % in exports, likely due to logistical
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The Ming Polymesh Straight introduces a new straight‑spring‑bar version of the brand’s acclaimed 3D‑printed titanium bracelet, making it compatible with any 20 mm lug watch without the need for curved spring bars. All 1,742 components of the design are now interchangeable, and the strap retains
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Patek Philippe’s president Thierry Stern reassured authorized dealers that the brand’s recent acquisition of the Zurich jeweler Beyer will not signal a shift toward a retail‑focused strategy like Rolex’s purchase of Bucherer. While confirming the plan to transform Beyer’s showroom into a new Patek Philippe
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The documentary follows Audemars Piguet’s 150th anniversary, showcasing the creation of the RD#5 Royal Oak Extra‑Thin Self‑winding Flying Tourbillon Chronograph. Featuring Grammy‑winning musician John Mayer, actress Ilaria Resta, and other cultural figures, the film blends brand storytelling with high‑production values, taking viewers through the
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Timothée Chalamet has deepened his involvement with independent watchmaking by becoming a minority partner and creative advisor for Urban Jürgensen. Known for wearing the brand’s UJ‑2 time‑only watch at high‑profile events such as the Golden Globe Awards and various film premieres, Chalamet now collaborates with CEO
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Britain’s relative stability has propelled it to become the second largest market for Swiss watch exports, with a 3.2% increase in sales to the country in March. While the United States remains the largest market despite a slight year-on-year decline of 1.6%, there is an
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Georges Kern has taken on the role of CEO for House of Brands, outlining the operational structure and introducing a team of leading executives. This new entity encompasses well-known brands such as Breitling, Universal Genève, and Gallet, which is set to relaunch later this year. The leadership changes include
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The 2026 edition of Watches and Wonders Geneva has set new records with an unprecedented number of exhibiting brands and exceptional attendance, highlighting its status as a pivotal event in the watchmaking industry. Nearly 60,000 unique visitors attended, with significant participation from journalists, retailers, and the general public. This
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The Time to Watches event in Geneva welcomed a record 10,450 visitors and 87 brands in 2026, reflecting a 10% increase from the previous year. This surge in attendance signifies a growing demand for independent and accessible watchmaking experiences, with collectors seeking deeper connections to brands and creators. The
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Rolex and Audemars Piguet rank at the top of the list for the most faked watches seized by US Customs and Border Protection during fiscal year 2024. The Rolex Submariner, particularly the model ref. 126610LN, and the Cosmograph Daytona ref. 116500LN were highlighted as the most counterfeited. The total potential
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Breitling UK Limited has officially rebranded itself as H. O. B. House of Brands Limited, marking a significant shift in its corporate identity. The House of Brands concept was first introduced during Dubai Watch Week, showcasing Breitling alongside Universal Genève and Gallet. However, CEO Georges Kern has emphasized that this
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The luxury watch industry faces significant uncertainty due to the ongoing war in Iran, which has negatively impacted global economic conditions. As Geneva prepares to host the annual Watches and Wonders fair, industry leaders are hopeful for a rebound in sales, particularly from affluent markets in the Gulf Arab countries.
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Rory McIlroy claimed his second consecutive Masters title at Augusta National, narrowly defeating Scottie Scheffler by a single stroke. This victory marks the sixth major championship of his career and places him in an elite group of players who have successfully defended their title at the tournament. Alongside the focus
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In 2026, Rolex has quietly discontinued several notable models, including the iconic GMT-Master II "Pepsi" and the Submariner Date "Cookie Monster." The discontinuation of the "Pepsi," known for its challenging red and blue ceramic bezel, has been anticipated due to production difficulties. Other
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The Rolex GMT-Master II "Pepsi" has officially been discontinued, which has led to a surge in its market prices. The announcement came during the Watches and Wonders event in Geneva, where the watchmaker confirmed the removal of this highly sought-after model from its catalog. Prices for
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Rolex's GMT Master II Pepsi has officially been discontinued, a development anticipated for some time. Initially met with indifference during the Watches and Wonders event, rumors began to circulate early in 2026 when the watch disappeared from certain retailers' online inventories. Authorized dealers later confirmed that no
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In March 2026, the watch market showed minimal changes, with the Overall Market Index increasing by only 0.1%. Patek Philippe led the market with a 1.2% gain, although this was less significant than previous months. Non-Swiss brands such as Grand Seiko and Glashütte Original also performed well,
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Rolex has officially discontinued the iconic "Pepsi" GMT-Master II models, specifically the ref. 126710BLR in steel and ref. 126719BLRO in white gold, both known for their distinctive blue-and-red Cerachrom bezels. The "Pepsi" has had a storied history, dating back to its original release
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Ba111od has made a significant move by acquiring BCP Tourbillons, enhancing its capabilities in producing high-quality mechanical movements. This acquisition aligns with Ba111od's strategy to strengthen its technical autonomy and legitimacy in the Swiss watchmaking industry. The launch of the Chapter 4 Tourbillon T.V.D, priced
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Chrono24 has launched an Indie Brands Initiative aimed at providing independent watchmakers with direct access to its extensive audience of 9 million monthly users. This initiative allows emerging brands to sell their watches directly to consumers through dedicated brand pages on Chrono24, bypassing traditional retail challenges and enhancing their visibility
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Rory McIlroy has made headlines once again by winning his second consecutive Masters Tournament, showcasing his victory while wearing the Omega De Ville Tourbillon. As an Omega ambassador since 2013, McIlroy transitioned from the Omega Speedmaster "Silver Snoopy Award" he donned last year to this special timepiece. His
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The U.S. market continues to show resilience as a growth engine for global watch sales, reporting a 29% increase in turnover in the first quarter of 2026. Despite challenges such as declining export values and volumes for Swiss watchmakers, exports to the U.S. rose by 5.3% in
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Tudor has released a teaser for the upcoming Watches & Wonders event, sparking intense speculation among fans who are eager to decipher the hints regarding potential new releases. The teaser included a few numbers that collectors quickly connected to historical references and brand lore, leading to debates about whether Tudor
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Universal Genève has recently relaunched its iconic collections, generating mixed reviews from watch enthusiasts. While the reissue has been well-received for its faithful design, the pricing has sparked significant criticism, with starting prices in the five-figure range. Many fans express disappointment that no new offerings are available below
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The 1916 Company has launched a Collector’s Lounge concept within its new showroom in Manhattan Beach, California, marking a significant expansion of this unique retail space, which was previously only available in standalone locations worldwide. This showroom features a dedicated area for high-end Swiss watch brands such as