Tuesday, May 21st 2013
News Thursday, September 20th 2012
Swiss watchmaking in August 2012: exports remain on course
The month of August saw a significant rise in Swiss watch exports. They attained a value of 1.5 billion francs, an increase of 12.7% compared to last year. Cumulative growth over the first two thirds of the year has maintained its momentum at a high level (+16.0%).
Gold watches remained the principal driving force of this growth thanks to their very pronounced upturn. Bimetallic timepieces registered a decline however. Taking all materials together, the number of timepieces exported fell slightly while remaining at a level comparable to the excellent year of 2011. Bimetallic watches and the category of other materials lost ground.
Not all of the different price segments showed the same trend in August however they confirmed the tendencies outlined in previous months. Watches costing less than 200 francs (export price) fell in volume terms by 5.0%. The 200-500 francs category produced a good result with an increase of more than 10%. Between 500 and 3,000 francs, the result continued to weaken with a slight downturn. Timepieces costing more than 3,000 francs posted a very high increase in value terms (+21.5%).
Watch exports to Hong Kong and the United States recorded exactly the same rate of growth, very close to the sector average. After two months of decline China returned to the black, albeit to a minor extent. The main European markets registered considerable increases, with France and Germany leading the way. Showing a marked decline in August, Singapore brought up the rear. ■
Press release
Hublot
Monday, April 29th 2013
Interviewed at Baselworld 2013, Jean-Claude Biver, Chairman of Hublot, discusses the driving forces that keep the brand on a permanent upward trajectory.
"No innovation, no future!"
Interviewed at Baselworld 2013, Jean-Claude Biver, Chairman of Hublot, discusses the driving forces that keep the brand on a permanent upward trajectory.
Omega
Monday, April 29th 2013
The Co-Axial is ubiquitous at Omega, in its calibres, in its communication, and now in its genes. Hardly surprising, then, that the company has made co-axial technology its rallying cry for 2013. Stephen Urquhart, President of Omega, explains.
The Co-Axial movement is second nature for Omega
The Co-Axial is ubiquitous at Omega, in its calibres, in its communication, and now in its genes. Hardly surprising, then, that the company has made co-axial technology its rallying cry for 2013. Stephen Urquhart, President of Omega, explains.
Christophe Claret
Sunday, April 28th 2013
For a long time, Christophe Claret - 25 years of grande complication watchmaking under his belt - worked in the shadow of the leading watch companies. The response to a tough business climate, his Dual Tow sowed the seeds for the brand that bears his name. Kantharos, presented at Baselworld 2013, confirms this second direction for the brand. An explanation from the master watchmaker himself.
Christophe Claret, the unsung hero makes some noise
For a long time, Christophe Claret - 25 years of grande complication watchmaking under his belt - worked in the shadow of the leading watch companies. The response to a tough business climate, his Dual Tow sowed the seeds for the brand that bears his name. Kantharos, presented at Baselworld 2013, confirms this second direction for the brand. An explanation from the master watchmaker himself.
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