Watches
Watches hold a unique position in the jewellery trade, blending craftsmanship, design, and technology to create enduring appeal for consumers and lucrative opportunities for retailers. From luxury Swiss timepieces to emerging British watch brands, the sector continues to evolve with shifting trends, innovation in materials, and changing customer expectations. Jewellery Focus covers the watch industry from a trade perspective, offering news on brands and launches, market analysis, retail insights, and updates on supply chain and distribution. Our coverage equips jewellers, distributors, and suppliers with the intelligence needed to navigate this dynamic segment.
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Feb- 2017 -27 FebruaryRetailers
Watchfinder opens Canary Wharf store
Pre-owned luxury watch retailer Watchfinder has opened a new store in Canary Wharf, London, following a £5m funding package from HSBC. The funding is part of a larger investment in Watchfinder from HSBC, which aims to allow an “enhanced and increased range of luxury watch supply available to its online…
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20 FebruaryAuctions
Jewellery from best-selling author Jackie Collins to go under the hammer
Jewellery owned by the late best-selling author Jackie Collins is set to be sold at auction later this year. The collection of jewels will include a 6.04-carat diamond and platinum ring estimated at $100,000 (£80,000)-$150,000 (£120,000); an Art Deco diamond, emerald, stone and platinum necklace at $40,000 (£32,000)-$50,000 (£40,000); and…
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Jan- 2017 -17 JanuaryCurrent Affairs
Burlington Arcade up for sale
Burlington Arcade – the luxury shopping gallery in London that is home to 19 jewellers – has been put on the market for a sum believed to be around £400m. Thor Equities and Meyer Bergman, co-owners of the arcade, have announced plans to sell the renowned global luxury retail destination,…
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13 JanuaryWatch Focus
H Moser & Cie creates £880,000 watch made from cheese
H Moser & Cie has created a new watch made from Swiss cheese in opposition to new rules governing the label ‘Swiss-Made’. The ‘Swiss Mad Watch’ – which the company describes as “symbolic, irreverent, and 100% Swiss” – has been created as a satirical comment to the revised legislation that…
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11 JanuaryRetailers
Signet sales fall 4.6% over festive holiday season
Signet Jewelers, the parent company of UK-based H Samuel and Ernest Jones, has reported a fall in sales over the festive holiday period. For the nine weeks ending 31 December 2016 the company reported that same-store sales had decreased 4.6% compared with an increase of 5.1% in the nine-week period…
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11 JanuaryCrime
Staff threatened with handgun in jewellery store raid
Members of staff have been threatened with a handgun during a raid at a luxury watch store in Buckhurst Hill, Essex. Police were called yesterday (Tuesday, 10 January) at around 5:30pm to Luxe Watches on Queens Road after a member of staff was threatened by two men and was forced…
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4 JanuaryRetailers
Aurum Holdings set for auction amid sales boom
The owner of luxury watch and jewellery group Aurum Holdings is reportedly preparing to sell the business after posting “strong sales” following the EU referendum. The company, which owns Goldsmiths, Mappin & Webb and Watches of Switzerland, could be sold later this year after its controlling shareholder Apollo Global Management…
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Dec- 2016 -20 DecemberRetailers
Barnsley jewellers ‘forced’ to close in the New Year due to demolition plans
A family-owned jewellery store in Barnsley is set to close its doors in the New Year following plans to demolish parts of the town centre. Some retailers have told the BBC that they have had to close their businesses due to a “lack of council support” in relation to the…
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7 DecemberDesigners
FF Group reports revenue jump despite “volatile” markets”
FF Group – owner of Links of London and Folli Follie – has posted revenues of €956.2m (£814m) in the first nine months of the year, despite “volatile” markets. The posted revenues were a 9.2% increase on the same period last year when the company reported revenue €875.5m. Earnings before…
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Nov- 2016 -23 NovemberRetailers
Signet’s UK division reports strong third quarter
Signet Jeweler’s UK division, which owns H Samuel and Ernest Jones, reported a 3.6% increase in same-store sales in the third quarter of its 2016 financial year. Despite a 3.3% fall in the number of transactions due primarily to lower sales in fashion watches, the 13 weeks ending 29 October…
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