GENDER - Brands get in Touch WITH THEIR FEMININE SIDE

GENDER - Brands get in Touch WITH THEIR FEMININE SIDE

October 2014
A number of watchmaking houses have decided recently to invest in expanding their catalogue of women’s watches. It’s a strategic decision.

WORLDWATCHWEB™ - WOMEN'S FASHION WATCHES, A World of Opportunity

WORLDWATCHWEB™ - WOMEN’S FASHION WATCHES, A World of Opportunity

October 2014
There was once a time when ‘fashion’ was a dirty word in watchmaking. When a watch could either be technical or beautiful, but never both. Fashion watches (…)

BESPOKE - The Present and Future for CUSTOMISED TIMEPIECES

BESPOKE - The Present and Future for CUSTOMISED TIMEPIECES

October 2014
Bespoke watch production is growing as more customers want something that no one else has. Some companies have been doing it their entire history, while (…)

ACCESSORIES - Should you offer MORE THAN JUST WATCHES?

ACCESSORIES - Should you offer MORE THAN JUST WATCHES?

October 2014
In today’s changing retail landscape, watch retailers have to do just about anything they can to pull through the market. For some, that means offering (…)

STRATEGY - MID-SIZED GROUPS Punch Above Their Weight

STRATEGY - MID-SIZED GROUPS Punch Above Their Weight

October 2014
The few medium-sized groups that exist in the shadow of the watchmaking giants are looking to make their mark, albeit in very different market niches. A (…)

MARKET FOCUS - RUSSIA: Sanctions and a New Wave of CONSUMERS

MARKET FOCUS - RUSSIA: Sanctions and a New Wave of CONSUMERS

October 2014
Exports to Russia are still good, but the mood of retailers is worsening. Where does the Russian watch market stand right now? Where did it come from, and (…)

SINO-SWISS FREE TRADE AGREEMENT: Consequences for Hong Kong

SINO-SWISS FREE TRADE AGREEMENT: Consequences for Hong Kong

October 2014
Over the next ten years China will gradually reduce import duties on Swiss watches by 60%, at a rate of 18% in the first year and 5% each subsequent year. (…)

33rd HONG KONG WATCH & CLOCK FAIR, The Baselworld for Fashion Watches

33rd HONG KONG WATCH & CLOCK FAIR, The Baselworld for Fashion Watches

October 2014
For its 33rd edition the Hong Kong Watch & Clock Fair welcomed 765 exhibitors from 19 countries. Among the hottest new trends were silicone and the (…)

SMARTWATCHES: Watchmaking Federation Presidents Air Their Views

SMARTWATCHES: Watchmaking Federation Presidents Air Their Views

October 2014
At the 33rd Hong Kong Clock & Watch Fair it was impossible to escape the ubiquitous smartwatch. The watchmaking world is asking: how do we categorise (…)

SERVICE, PLEASE! - Talking Service with GRAFF

SERVICE, PLEASE! - Talking Service with GRAFF

October 2014
An interview with Michel Pitteloud, Chief Executive Officer of Graff Luxury Watches, about the importance of after-sales service.

RETAILER PROFILE - A Look Inside the Newest M.A.D. GALLERY

RETAILER PROFILE - A Look Inside the Newest M.A.D. GALLERY

October 2014
The newest M.A.D. Gallery in the world is the one in the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Taipei, Taiwan. Opened by Swiss Prestige, which is the distributor for (…)

LAKIN@LARGE - WHAT'S IN A NAME?

LAKIN@LARGE - WHAT’S IN A NAME?

October 2014
It all began when Lauren, my youngest daughter, was recently given a puppy. A delightful little chocolate-coloured female Bichon Havanese, so we set about (…)