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☆ China’s growing love of luxury watches remains strong, despite economic headwinds
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-19 | by ( Leona Liu | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

Despite economic challenges looming large — including prolonged downturns in both the housing and stock market — China’s fascination with luxury watches remains undiminished. Cyril Zingaro/WWGF/KeystoneCertainly at this year’s fair, well-dressed, well-accessorized Chinese customers appeared unfazed by economic uncertainties. After more than 20 years working in the region, he believes China’s economic slowdown is just a temporary phase. “The situation may be slightly (more) challenging for mid-level luxury brands (whose clients’ disposable incomes are potentially more at the whim of market forces). Collectors appreciate the craftsmanship, rarity, and heritage associated with luxury timepieces, which can hold or increase in value over time.

Persons: Matthieu Humair, Cyril Zingaro, Jackson Yee, Jaeger, Zhu Yilong, Wang Yang, Xiao Zhan, David Sadigh, Patek Philippe, Van Cleef, ” Sadigh, Valentin Flauraud, ”, Ricardo Guadalupe, “ We’ve, Pierre Albouy, Keystone Carson Chan, Richard Mille Asia, Bonhams, ” Chan, Raphael Young, Lange, Söhne, Wilhelm Schmid, Lumen, Chan, Vacheron, Young, Roger Dubuis, Dior, Louis Vuitton, Gucci — Chanel, Hermes, Hermès, Attelé, Chanel, Mademoiselle Chanel, “ Organizations: Geneva CNN —, Federation of, Swiss Watch Industry, IWC, Digital Luxury, CNN, Keystone, Fondation, “, Berkley, Couture Locations: Geneva, China, Hong Kong, Asia, Switzerland, Chopard, Europe, “, Asia — China, Guadalupe, Swiss, watchmaking

☆ Legendary Formula 1 driver Michael Schumacher’s watch collection is going on sale
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-19 | by ( Amarachi Orie | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —Eight of Formula One legend Michael Schumacher’s luxury and personalized watches are going up for auction – and they could sell for more than $4.8 million in total. The Rolex stainless steel Paul Newman Daytona watch was named after the Daytona International Speedway in Florida, according to auction house Christie's head of Watches Remi Guillemin. Christie's Images LTD. 2024The collection will form part of Christie’s traditional rare watches auction, consisting of vintage and modern pieces of high-caliber watchmaking from brands such as Audemars Piguet, F.P. Christie's Images LTD. 2024The platinum Vagabondage 1 watch was also a gift from Todt, but for the following Christmas. “These watches (are) for people who are following Formula One, who have followed, like I have, Michael Schumacher when he was racing.

Persons: Michael Schumacher’s, ”, Remi Guillemin, “ We’re, Paul Newman Daytona, Journe, Paul Newman, Guillemin, Jean Todt, chronograph, Schumacher, Christie’s, Michael Schumacher, Todt, Ferrari, ” Guillemin, Corinna, Michael Organizations: CNN, Miami Grand Prix, Daytona, Rolex, Paris Brain Institute, Foundation, Netflix Locations: New York, Geneva, Switzerland, Florida

☆ Watches and Wonders 2024: The best women’s watches on show
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-09 | by ( Sarah Royce-Greensill | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

Women’s watches have undergone something of a transformation in recent years, moving beyond an outdated “shrink it and pink it” design school of thought. Courtesy HermèsThe Cut is Hermès’ first new, in-house-designed women’s watch for 20 years — and it’s worth the wait. It also comes in rose gold, diamond-dusted white gold, and in two seriously special High Jewelry iterations which feature stripes of coloured hardstones. Courtesy ChopardBaby blue seems to be the hue for women’s watches this year, and Chopard’s new Happy Sport is a delicious example. Continuing the blue theme, it eschews razzle-dazzle for a confidently chic combination of white gold and lustrous lacquer, in a newly slimmed-down silhouette.

Persons: Patek Philippe, Cartier, Chanel, Couture, Boyfriend Couture, Chanel Chanel’s Couture, Coco Chanel, Van Cleef, Van, you’d, Carrera, Piaget Piaget, They’re, Vacheron Constantin Grand Lady Kalla Vacheron Constantin Grand Lady, Constantin Vacheron Constantin, Kalla Organizations: CNN, Chopard, TAG, IWC, Schaffhausen Locations: Geneva, Switzerland

☆ Meet Cyrille Vigneron, the CEO of luxury jeweler Cartier who personally approves all of its designs
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-20 | by ( Talia Lakritz | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

As president and CEO of Cartier, he helped reinvigorate the brand with new strategies. Cyrille Vigneron speaks onstage during at a press conference in Milan, Italy, in 2020. The strategic move helped bring the vintage watches back in style — Cartier sold 15,000 of them that year. A ranking of the top Swiss watch companies published in April 2023 by Morgan Stanley named Cartier the second-largest watchmaker behind Rolex, overtaking Omega for the No. With 60 new pieces released in 2023, Cartier's watch business continues to boom, occupying an estimated 7% of the retail market share, according to the Morgan Stanley report.

Persons: Cartier, Cyrille Vigneron, Vittorio Zunino Celotto, Vigneron, — Cartier, Morgan Stanley, it's Organizations: Cartier, Australian Financial, Forbes, Rolex, Omega Locations: Milan, Italy, Swiss, watchmaking

☆ LVMH takes aim at $30 billion watch market with high-end, reinvented pieces
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-03 | by ( Robert Frank | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

Sales of luxury watches worldwide are estimated at about $30 billion this year, according to market research firm IMARC Group. A Zenith luxury watch at 2024 Watch Week in Miami. A Bulgari Serpenti Secret watch at 2024 Watch Week in Miami. A TAG Heuer luxury watch at 2024 Watch Week in Miami. A Zenith luxury watch at 2024 Watch Week in Miami.

Persons: Louis Vuitton, Bulgari, Dior, Frederic Arnault, LVMH, Bernard Arnault, CNBC Frederic Arnault, Benoit de Clerck, Jean, Christophe Babin, Babin, women's, —, Diamant, Tourbillon, Julien Tornare Organizations: IMARC, TAG, Zenith, CNBC, LVMH's, Executives, CNBC LVMH, CNBC TAG, Carrera, TAG Heuer Locations: Miami, America, U.S, Swiss, LVMH

☆ Malaysia bans Swatch's pride watches as the nation cracks down on LGBTQ+ community.
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-10 | by ( Associated Press | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Malaysia has banned pride-themed Swatch watches. Malaysian officials seized over 160 pride-themed watches from Swatch stores. In May, authorities raided Swatch stores and confiscated more than 160 watches from its Pride Collection. Swatch contested allegations that the watches were harmful, saying they carried a message of peace and love. Anyone found in possession of such Swatch products faces up to three years in jail or a fine of up to 20,000 ringgit ($4,375), it warned.

Organizations: Swatch, Service, Federal Gazette, Ministry Locations: Malaysia, Wall, Silicon, Swiss, Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta, Taipei

☆ This Durable Watch Is Perfect for Your Summer Travels—And It’s $60
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-25 | by ( Jeremy Freed | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +3 min

My immersion in all things Swatch yielded two important outcomes: a new appreciation for the brand’s archive of delightful designs, and a Once Again on my wrist. It’s a great style for everyday wear, but it’s also exactly what I want in a travel watch. The things that make the Once Again special are the same things that make any watch desirable, namely an appealing aesthetic, a unique design and a great story. It’s also lightweight, comfortable and at 34 mm, the perfect size for my wrist. I also know enough about expensive watches to understand that whether it costs $60 or $60,000, the most important thing about a timepiece is how it makes you feel.

Persons: Jeremy Freed, it’s, It’s Organizations: Swatch Locations: Swiss, Tokyo

☆ Demand for luxury watches shows no sign of fading, says Audemars Piguet CEO
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-13 | by ( Robert Frank | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +7 min

watch nowThe luxury watch market is well-positioned to avoid a crash as tight supply and a new generation of young collectors drive demand, according to the CEO of Audemars Piguet. With demand for watches outpacing supply of new inventory, prices for pre-owned watches have skyrocketed, along with online sites like Chrono24, Watchfinder and Watchbox that buy and sell pre-owned watches. A pre-owned Audemars Piguet Royal Oak "Jumbo" that retails new for $35,000 is currently listed on Chrono24 for $115,000. Audemars Piguet produced only 50,000 watches last year and is expected to produce about 51,000 this year, Bennahmias said. Source: Audemars PiguetAudemars is now celebrating the 30th anniversary of its popular Royal Oak Offshore model, a larger version of its signature Royal Oak.

☆ Cambodian PM to give luxury watches as ASEAN summit souvenirs
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-10 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/3] A view of the mechanism of a wristwatch intended as a souvenir for world leaders gathering at the ASEAN Cambodia 2022 summit, in this undated image obtained from social media on November 10, 2022. Hun Sen official Facebook page/via REUTERSPHNOM PENH, Nov 10 (Reuters) - Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, an aficionado of luxury watches, will hand out intricate, locally made timepieces as souvenirs for world leaders at an international summit he is hosting this week. "These watches have been prepared and assembled by pure Cambodian technicians, which is part of scientific and technology and developments of Cambodia," Hun Sen wrote of the 25 limited-edition watches. While some Cambodians criticised the extravagance of the high-end gift, others praised Hun Sen for promoting the country's fledgling watchmaking ambitions. Sok Eysan, a spokesperson for Hun Sen's ruling Cambodian People's Party, said there was "nothing political or strange" about the watches.

☆ I started my business after struggling to sell my best watch as a cash-strapped student. Now, I resell luxury watches worth up to $7.6 million.
▼ + stars: | 2021-11-10 | by ( Kiera Fields | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Silas Walton struggled to sell his watch as a student when he was strapped for cash. It sparked the idea of an online watch resellerI wanted to offer a smooth system for clients buying and selling via the platform. Coincidentally, a friend of my family happened to sell watches. I wanted to pitch him my idea, but I decided to pitch it to an online watch forum first. Six years ago, if you bought independent watches, you were expected to lose money.

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