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
Watches
Where Breitling’s CEO Is Placing His Bets
Georges Kern talks to BoF about the state of the Swiss watch sector, next steps for the Breitling brand and why brands hiking prices without product upgrades will suffer.
How Watches Took Over Wedding Culture
The role of watches in the wedding industry is growing. More than just a nuptial gift, some couples are choosing to exchange them in lieu of — or in addition to — engagement rings.
The Luxury Watches Downturn, Explained
The Swiss watch sector’s slide appears to be more pronounced than the wider luxury slowdown, but industry insiders and analysts urge perspective.
Do Watch Buyers Really Care About Sustainability?
IWC’s chief executive says it will keep leaning into its environmental message. But the watchmaker has scrapped a flagship sustainability report, and sustainability was less of a focus overall at this year’s Watches and Wonders Geneva.
Hermès Takes on Rolex, Chanel With Sports Watch Aimed at Women
Watch revenues at the French leather goods powerhouse have surged since the launch of its H08 sports range in 2021. Now Hermès is hoping to keep up the momentum with a mechanical sports watch aimed at women called Cut.
Audemars Piguet’s New CEO Could ‘Stop Growth’ to Focus on Desirability and Independence
The Big Four watchmaker will slow or even suspend production increases as new leader Ilaria Resta works to ‘solidify the company.’
Chanel Opens Its First US Store Dedicated to Jewellery and Watches
For years, the French luxury brand has been seeking a prime location along Manhattan’s storied Fifth Avenue.
‘Visible Not Vulgar’: Piaget Brings Back the Polo 79 in Bid to Boost Watch Division
The slim timepiece known for its trompe-l’oeil gold strip design is a watch-industry icon. Relaunching the model could help Richemont-owned Piaget jumpstart excitement around its watch division after years of leaning on jewellery to drive the brand’s image.
Can Luxury Watch Brands Grow in 2024?
Higher-than-expected export figures fuelled hopes that the industry can avoid a downturn. At LVMH’s Watch Week gathering Miami, the chief executives of Bulgari, TAG Heuer, and Hublot and Zenith spoke to The Business of Fashion about adapting their strategies for an uncertain market.
Dior: Can A Couture Giant Sell $8,500 Watches to Men?
Christian Dior Couture hopes to reinvigorate its watch division by relaunching its early 2000s Chiffre Rouge line — this time with fancier complications and a price to match.
Richemont Shares Surge As Demand for Cartier, Van Cleef Boosts Holiday Sales
Sales rose 8 percent year-on-year for the three months ending December 2023 to €5.6 billion, beating analyst expectations.
The Best of BoF 2023: The Year Luxury Outgrew Fashion
With global demand in flux, brands ramped up their presence at concert tours, Formula One races, tennis championships and more. New creative directors debuted at Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Burberry and Tom Ford.
THE NEWS IN BRIEF
Jean-Christophe Babin Named CEO of LVMH Watches
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 Fined $100 Million for Thwarting Online Watch Sales
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.