Panerai unveils its new project Pamcast, an immersive odyssey through the Panerai universe. This collection of eight stories centers around Panerai’s heritage, product, innovations and features inspirational editorial content conceived to connect and engage its several communities. The project is nothing short of an unprecedented entertainment platform for the watch industry, inspired by broadcast networks that target the evolution of new levels of expectation. Configured as an editorial platform, Pamcast will release meaningful, interactive stories on a weekly basis. The material transcends product descriptions, emphasizing the brand’s most inspirational facets and core values.
https://www.instagram.com/panerai/

Antiquorum achieved three world record at its latest Important Modern & Vintage Timepieces auction on Sunday 28th in Geneva. An outstanding sale totaling CHF 6.2 million for more than 80% of lots sold. The entire auction reached in sale more than 100% of the low estimations. Lot 379, an extremely fine and rare, manual wind, 18k rose gold Rolex Ref. 6034 Oyster Chronograph, circa 1955, was sold for CHF 600,000 incl. premium’s buyer (CHF 480,000 hammered) based on an estimation of CHF 250,000 – 350,000. Lot 346, an extremely rare Rolex ref. 1680 Submariner, COMEX from 1979, achieved CHF 524,000. Lot 345, an astonishing Rolex Ref. 1680, Red Submariner, Meter First Mark II, tropical dial with box and papers from circa 1969 found y buyer for CHF 103,750.

Phillips in Association with Bacs & Russo has resumed its live watch auctions with the Geneva Watch Auction XI achieving a total of CHF 30,072,875 ($31,720,869 / €28,271,510), selling 100% by lot and 100% by value. Exceeding the pre-sale estimate of CHF 12.2 million to CHF 23.2, this marked the first live watch auction in 2020 with in room bidding since the lockdown was lifted and saw numerous world records achieved across multiple watch brands. This is both the first ever white glove sale (100% of lots sold) and the highest sale total for a non-thematic various owner watch auction. The tightly curated offering of 210 collector watches of exceptional quality was highlighted by the four Patek Philippe cover-lots, property of watch industry titan Mr. Jean-Claude Biver, selling for a total of CHF 8,307,500 against a pre-sale estimate of CHF 3.3 million to CHF 6.6 million.

Phillips in Association with Bacs & Russo, has resumed its live watch auctions with record-breaking results in the first session of The Geneva Watch Auction: XI. An unprecedented number of bidders from 67 countries participated in the sale, including a record number of almost 1,800 online bidders. The iconic Patek Philippe reference 1518 in pink gold, formerly the Property of Mr. Jean-Claude Biver, sold for CHF 3,380,000 / $3,565,224 / €3,177,538 to a phone bidder. In addition, two incredible F.P.Journe “Souscription” models set new world record prices at auction (excluding those sold for charity). These include the Tourbillon selling for CHF 1,400,000, and the platinum and pink gold Resonance selling for CHF 1,040,000.

EPHJ Trade Show has confirmed that its 2020 edition will take place from 15-18 September this year in Geneva. Alexandre Catton, director of the EPHJ Trade Show for the watchmaking, jewellery, and micro- and medical technologies sectors, said: “We have held widespread discussions over the past few weeks with numerous exhibitors to obtain as accurate picture as possible of the situation on the ground. Some of them believe that the situation is difficult and that the market trend, the persistent uncertainties mean that they should concentrate on other priorities. For others, the majority, the desire is a return to normality; for them, to be able to present their innovations and to meet clients and prospective customers at the Trade Show is a priority.” At present, the vast majority of exhibitors have maintained their registration for the 2020 edition.

Beginning of 2020, the manufacture completed the construction work that had started in 2015 and initiated production activities in its new building on the outskirts of the city of Geneva. The highly modern architecture of this structure can unite all of the manufacture’s Genevan ateliers under one roof, a great advantage given the growing complexity of production operations. Moreover, it offers ample space for the rare handcrafts professionals and for basic and advanced training of the employees. With its impressive dimensions (10 floors and a length of nearly 200 meters), it expands the 1996 building complex and anticipates the manufacture’s growth in the next 20 to 30 years. The completion of the structure is being celebrated with the launch of a commemorative watch: The Ref. 6007 Calatrava in steel stands out with an exclusive design concept and will be crafted in a limited edition of 1,000 pieces.

Following the very steep decline in April (-81.3%), Swiss watch exports continued to slow down in May. The value of exports was 655.6 million francs, a fall of 67.9% compared with May 2019. Overall, exports have fallen by 35.8% over the first five months of the year. All price segments fell by an identical amount, in both value and volume terms. The performance of the main markets fell by more than half compared with a year ago, across the board. The United States (-79.2%), Japan (-74.2%), France (-76.7%), Singapore (-74.8%) and the United Kingdom (-76.7%) were among the countries that fell by more than the average. While China (-54.6%) outperformed other countries for the second month in a row, it did not stand out to the same extent as in April and recorded a sharp decline.

Swatch Group has announced changes to its Executive Group Management Board. All appointments are internal. Raynald Aeschlimann, President and CEO of Omega has been appointed to the Executive Group Management Board. Matthias Breschan, currently head of Rado is being named CEO of Longines. After 51 years with the Group, Walter von Känel is taking his well-deserved retirement. Sylvain Dolla, who is currently in charge of Hamilton, will take over as CEO of Tissot, replacing François Thiébaud. At Hamilton, Vivian Stauffer, the brand’s Head of Sales, will be the new CEO. Adrian Bosshard, the current CEO of Certina and Union, is taking over as head of Rado. At Certina, he will be succeeded by Marc Aellen, who has been VP Sales of Jaquet Droz. Franz Linder, in addition to his function as CEO of Mido, will also assume the management of Union.

Omega’s latest boutique, now open in Biel/Bienne, marks the final stage in a major development. A truly global brand, Omega has luxury boutiques all over the world, but the watchmaking company has always been proudly Swiss, and its 8th corporate boutique, now open on home soil, is a source of pride. All of Omega’s current watches, fine jewellery and accessories are on display. Just a short stroll away is an opportunity for guests to explore the new Museum, a light-filled space at Omega’s campus “La Cité du Temps” that tells the fascinating story of the global watchmaker. Along with the new boutique and museum, the site in Biel is home to Omega’s eco-friendly factory, where all of the brand’s watches are made and tested.