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The ongoing conflict in the Middle East, particularly involving Israel and Iran, has not severely impacted the Swiss watch industry in the Gulf states, which collectively represent a market worth over CHF 2.2 billion annually. Despite the turmoil, shopping malls in Dubai, Bahrain, and Doha remain vibrant, with luxury
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In a world dominated by smartphones, those who still wear wristwatches maintain a distinct relationship with time that fosters focus and intentionality. Unlike the distraction of checking notifications on a phone, a quick glance at a watch provides the necessary information without the risk of being sidetracked, allowing individuals to
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Vontobel's annual report on the Swiss watch industry highlights significant market shifts, particularly a growing concentration of sales among industry giants amid overall stagnation and external pressures like a strong Swiss franc and rising gold prices. Total Swiss watch exports fell for the second consecutive year, with a
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Liljenquist & Beckstead is set to open the largest Rolex and Patek Philippe boutiques in a mall setting in the United States, located in Tysons Galleria, Northern Virginia. This luxury retail hub attracts affluent customers from the Washington, DC metropolitan area and nearby high-income communities. The upcoming boutiques will
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Bromberg's, a 190-year-old family jeweler, is set to significantly expand its showroom in Mountain Brook, Alabama, nearly doubling its size with a multi-million dollar renovation expected to complete in early 2027. The flagship store, known for its Rolex offerings, will maintain its current location while
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Luxury Bazaar has entered a strategic partnership with Courtyard.io to introduce discovery-based shopping for luxury watches. This collaboration offers a curated collection of authenticated timepieces to Courtyard's community of 60,000 collectors, utilizing a unique "reveal" format that combines surprise purchases with a 95%
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Trump's tax policy, particularly the introduction of 100% bonus depreciation under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, has significantly impacted the luxury watch industry by making retail investments more financially viable. This tax break allows companies to deduct the full cost of qualifying investments immediately, which
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The Tad Kozh initiative aims to promote traditional watchmaking while supporting emerging talents in the industry. Founded by Alix and Baudouin van Es, this Swiss non-profit association introduces the Tad Kozh New Talent Award, inviting individuals aged 18 to 35 with a watchmaking diploma to submit their professional projects.
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Piaget has recently reopened its flagship store on Place Vendôme in Paris, significantly doubling its size and introducing a new aesthetic that will be implemented across its global boutiques. This move comes as Piaget aims to compete more effectively with Cartier, which has been expanding its extravagant showrooms in the
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Bezel has collaborated with Kalshi to launch Watch Futures, the first prediction markets focused on luxury watch prices. This innovative platform allows users to trade based on the expected price movements of iconic brands like Rolex and Patek Philippe, utilizing Bezel's Beztimate valuation engine. This engine analyzes real-
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Independent watch brands are making significant strides in the U.S. retail market, as evidenced by CHP Caliber's recent expansion into five jewelry stores across the Northeast, including a notable location within the Pentagon. Founded by Becca Florence Davis in 2025, CHP Caliber specializes in placing independent watch
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Vacheron Constantin has opened a new boutique at The Mall at Short Hills in New Jersey, enhancing its retail presence in the American Northeast. This boutique offers local collectors access to the complete Vacheron Constantin collection, including exclusive models not found at authorized dealers. The store features a "Watchmaking
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Swatch Group is contemplating legal action against Morgan Stanley due to alleged inaccuracies in its annual Swiss watch market report, which has been criticized by the company for several years. In an open letter, Swatch Group claims that the report contains misleading data about sales and profits, potentially damaging customer
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Monobrand watch stores are increasingly viewed as a liability for retail groups, leading to significant closures across their networks. Specifically, Watches of Switzerland Group has reduced its number of retail locations from 223 to 195 between April 2024 and September 2025, with 15 of the closures being monobrand stores primarily
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Christie’s Luxury division achieved a remarkable milestone by surpassing $1 billion in global auction sales in 2025, boasting an impressive 90% sell-through rate with hammer prices averaging 129% above low estimates. The surge in digital engagement was significant, with 85% of bids placed online and nearly half of
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Rolex has officially confirmed the discontinuation of the GMT Master II with the iconic red and blue Pepsi bezel, notifying authorized dealers that no further deliveries will be made. Customers on waiting lists are being informed to explore alternative models, marking the end of a prolonged period of speculation regarding
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Swatch Group AG has publicly challenged the recent Morgan Stanley "Swiss Watcher" report, claiming that the data presented is flawed and based on questionable assumptions. The letter highlights that contrary to Morgan Stanley's assertions, Longines is profitable with a reported profit margin of 16.6% on
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CHANEL has launched a new campaign for the J12 watch, featuring Gisele Bündchen and Clément Chabernaud, emphasizing the collection's unisex design and its balance of resilience and elegance. The campaign, titled “In The Greatest Strength Lies Softness,” highlights the J12's origins in sport and its revolutionary
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Swatch Group has garnered attention due to an activist investor's call for greater oversight and control over the company, particularly regarding its performance in the luxury watch market. Despite facing criticism, the group reported improving sales figures for the second half of 2025, with a notable growth trend
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Chrono24 is setting its sights on the US market for growth, despite the absence of a global chief executive following Carsten Keller's departure. The company, under the leadership of Chief Growth Officer José Gaztelu, aims to become the leading secondary market player for luxury watches in the United
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eBay has announced its support as the headline sponsor of the inaugural Women in Watches event organized by WatchPro, which aims to celebrate the vital contributions of women in the watch industry. Scheduled for March 6, just before International Women’s Day, the event will take place at a prestigious
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In 2025, American watch sales experienced a notable 20% increase, defying challenges such as tariffs, high gold prices, and a weakening dollar. The growth was driven largely by affluent consumers willing to invest in luxury timepieces, with average sales per retail location climbing to $890,716, according to data from
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The Morgan Stanley and LuxeConsult "Swiss Watcher" report reveals that major Swiss watch brands, including Rolex and Cartier, experienced sales and market share gains in 2025 despite challenges such as rising costs and changing consumer behavior. Rolex achieved a 4% increase in sales, surpassing CHF 11 billion for
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Jean-Frédéric Dufour, the CEO of Rolex, reflects on his journey and the evolution of the Swiss watch industry during an interview at Dubai Watch Week. He emphasizes the importance of collaboration and competition within the industry to foster creativity and innovation. Dufour highlights Rolex's commitment to education,
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Inhorgenta Munich concluded its 2026 edition with remarkable success, attracting 900 exhibitors and 1,200 brands from 35 countries, highlighting its growing significance in the global market. Over 25,000 trade visitors attended, with a noted increase in international presence. The theme of Craftsmanship was introduced for the first time,
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Rumors have intensified regarding the potential discontinuation of the Rolex GMT-Master II "Pepsi," fueled by reports of the model quietly disappearing from authorized dealer websites and rising prices on the secondary market. While the Rolex website still lists the Pepsi in its configurator, notable dealers like Bucherer
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Rocky Mountain Watches has entered a multiyear partnership with the Natural Selection Tour, establishing itself as the Official Timekeeper of the renowned freeride competition series. This collaboration will enhance athlete timing and digital storytelling while also paving the way for the creation of special-edition watches for the Natural Selection
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Rolex celebrates the 50th anniversary of its Awards program by naming five women from Indonesia, Nigeria, Peru, China, and the United States as the 2026 Laureates. Originally launched in 1976 to commemorate the Oyster wristwatch's anniversary, the program has supported numerous Laureates across over 67 countries, leading to
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The Inhorgenta Award 2026 ceremony took place on February 21 at Bavaria Filmstudios, celebrating craftsmanship and innovation in the jewellery, watch, and gemstone industries. Over 500 guests attended, with the event hosted by TV presenter Nazan Eckes and featuring a live performance by singer LOI. CEO of Messe München, Stefan
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Rising employment costs have led to increased anxiety among retail CFOs, with a recent survey indicating that 69% of them feel pessimistic about the future, a significant rise from previous sentiments. The implementation of the Employment Rights Act has intensified concerns surrounding labor costs, which 84% of CFOs now rank
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Breitling's value has significantly dropped as its private equity owners, CVC Capital and Partners Group, have revised their valuations due to declining sales and profits. Since reaching a peak in 2023, sales have fallen from CHF 870 million to CHF 820 million by 2025. The financial assessment reveals
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Fossil is reintroducing the iconic Big Tic Y2K watch in a Limited Edition for 2026, blending nostalgia with modern design. Originally launched in 1999, the Big Tic became a defining piece of late-1990s fashion by combining analogue timekeeping with a unique animated digital display. The revival stays true to
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The BAFTA Awards 2026 showcased a stunning array of timepieces on the red carpet, with notable appearances from several celebrities sporting exquisite watches. Paul Mescal wore a Cartier Tank Basculante, a distinctive design with a reversible case. Michael B. Jordan paid homage to vintage collectors with a rare Vacheron Constantin
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Material Good has opened its third boutique in Boston's Back Bay, specifically on Newbury Street, creating a new hub for watch enthusiasts. The store fills a gap in the market by offering a selection of independent watch brands alongside vintage and pre-owned luxury timepieces. Co-founder Rob
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The Supreme Court of the United States recently struck down President Trump's emergency trade tariffs, which had imposed significant levies on watch imports from countries such as Switzerland, Japan, and Germany. This ruling could lead to potential refunds for watch importers who have faced tariffs ranging from 10%
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Bvlgari has announced the appointment of Dua Lipa as its global brand ambassador, recognizing her influence as one of the most prominent artists of her generation. With numerous Grammy and BRIT Awards to her name and billions of streams, Lipa is celebrated for her artistic freedom and authenticity, making her
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Jacob & Co. has been recognized as the fastest growing Swiss watch brand of 2025, according to the Ninth Annual Swiss Watcher report by Morgan Stanley and LuxeConsult. The brand achieved remarkable growth with revenues reaching $180 million, marking a 14% increase from the previous year, and unit sales rising
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Rolex's significant market dominance raises concerns about its impact on the Swiss watch industry, particularly as it accounts for nearly two-thirds of luxury Swiss watch sales. Reports indicate that Rolex's sales topped CHF 11 billion in 2025, with a market share of 61% in the
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Omega has slipped to fifth place among Swiss watchmakers as Rolex continues to dominate the market. Since Raynald Aeschlimann became CEO in 2016, he aimed to surpass Rolex, which had significantly increased its sales from CHF 3.9 billion in 2017 to over CHF 11 billion by 2025. In contrast,
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Morgan Stanley's annual analysis reveals significant trends in the watch industry for 2025, highlighting the continued dominance of Rolex and the growing polarization within the market. The report indicates that the top four brands (Rolex, Cartier, Audemars Piguet, and Patek Philippe) account for over 50% of the overall
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Haelixa, a Swiss deeptech company, has introduced a new DNA-based Authenticity Service aimed at combating counterfeit luxury watches, jewelry, and leather goods. With the luxury sector losing an estimated $250 billion annually to counterfeit products, traditional methods of verification have become insufficient. Haelixa's innovative solution embeds a
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In January 2026, the luxury watch market showed signs of cautious recovery, with the WatchCharts Overall Market Index increasing by 0.8%. Major brands such as Rolex and Patek Philippe saw price increases of 1.2% and 0.3%, respectively, marking continued growth for Patek Philippe for the eleventh consecutive
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In 2025, Rolex continues to dominate the watch industry, achieving estimated sales of CHF 10.5 billion and holding a 32% retail market share. The brand's strategic reduction in production has allowed it to prioritize scarcity and pricing power, resulting in a significant increase in its market share
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Gerald Charles recently celebrated a significant sporting achievement at the ABN AMRO Open, where its brand ambassadors clinched both the singles and doubles titles. The tournament, which took place in Rotterdam, saw Alex de Minaur winning the singles title, while Simone Bolelli and Andrea Vavassori triumphed in the men'
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In the UK, collectors of valuable watch collections face the significant risk of Inheritance Tax (IHT), which can be charged at rates of up to 40%. Without proper planning, collectors may be forced to sell parts of their collections to cover tax liabilities, thereby losing the historical coherence of their
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In January, UK footfall experienced a decline of 0.6% compared to the previous year, which is an improvement from the 2.9% drop seen in December. High street traffic fell by 1.9%, while retail parks saw a modest increase of 1.1%. Retail leaders believe that the uptick
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The secondary market for luxury watches is experiencing significant growth, with industry data revealing that a small number of brands dominate the market. Rolex, Patek Philippe, and Audemars Piguet together account for over 50% of the total transaction value, highlighting the disparity in value distribution among brands. While most major
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A rare Paul Newman Rolex Daytona will be featured in the upcoming Fellows auction on February 26, 2026, with an estimated value between $109,000 and $164,000. This specific model, known as Lot 50, is part of a series that originated in 1963 when Rolex first introduced the Cosmograph,
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In 2025, the watch industry faces significant challenges, with declining exports and sales affecting large conglomerates. Despite these difficulties, Rolex remains the dominant leader, generating sales exceeding CHF 10 billion, which is greater than the combined sales of its next five competitors. The industry is becoming increasingly oligopolistic, with the
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Amid rising gold prices, many buyers are opting to melt down vintage watches instead of keeping them as collectibles. The current market has seen the price of gold reaching record highs, prompting dealers and collectors alike to liquidate their gold timepieces for their metal value, often exceeding the watch'