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.
-
Feb- 2016 -15 FebruaryWatch Focus
Breguet to launch first UK pop-up exhibition
Luxury Swiss watch brand Breguet is set to launch its first UK pop-up exhibition at the recently opened Watches of Switzerland store in Canary Wharf, London. The boutique is set to run from Thursday, 25 February, to Saturday, 27 February, and will showcase the “finest selection” of watches from the…
Read More » -
15 FebruaryWatch Focus
Florence Welch named as new ambassador for Gucci watches and jewellery
Gucci watches and jewellery has announced Florence Welch, the lead singer of British brand Florence + the Machine, as its new ambassador. The British musician was named as the new ambassador at a private event in Los Angeles on Friday, 12 February, and was interviewed in front of the audience…
Read More » -
12 FebruaryEconomy
Counterfeiting costs UK jewellery and watch industry £138m a year
The jewellery and watch sector in the UK loses £138m every year as a result of counterfeit products in the marketplace, according to new figures. The two new reports from the Office for Harmonization in the Internal Market (OHIM) – the EU’s largest intellectual property agency – said the jewellery…
Read More » -
5 FebruaryRetailers
Fraser Hart set to open Colchester store
Jewellery chain Fraser Hart has announced it is set to open a new store in Colchester’s Culver Square shopping centre. The new store is expected to open in April and Fraser Hart, which has 39 other stores across the UK, said it has already started the interview process for the…
Read More » -
3 FebruaryWatch Focus
Swatch Group reports 21% profit fall in 2015
Swatch Group has reported annual profits of 1.12bn Swiss francs (£761m) in 2015, a 21% fall when compared with the previous year. The company, which owns brands such as Calvin Klein, Blancpain, Tissot, Longines, Omega and Breguet, said the decline in profits was due to the “strong negative impact of…
Read More » -
Jan- 2016 -19 JanuaryUncategorized
Apple Watches make up 52% of all smartwatch sales
The Apple Watch accounted for one in two of all smartwatch sales in 2015, according to a report from Juniper Research. Apple, according to the report, now makes up 52% of the global market despite its line having only launched in April. This means it took the lead without completing…
Read More » -
18 JanuaryWatch Focus
Richemont sales fall 4% as demand for watches slumps
Richemont, the Swiss luxury goods group, has announced a disappointing fourth quarter amid falling demand for watches. The group reported that in the third quarter, ending 31 December, sales fell by 4% at constant exchange rates (increased 3% at actual exchange rates) as sales were affected by weak trading in…
Read More » -
6 JanuaryCrime
Armed thieves raid Mayfair jewellery store three weeks after opening
A gang of armed raiders on mopeds raided a luxury jewellery store in London’s Mayfair district on Wednesday morning, just three weeks after it celebrated its opening. The Metropolitan Police are now appealing for information and witnesses to come forward following the smash-and-grab incident at Time Machine on Avery Row…
Read More » -
6 JanuaryWatch Focus
IWC to showcase new ‘Big Pilot’ collection
Luxury watch brand IWC Schaffhausen is set to showcase its new ‘Big Pilot’ watch collection at the Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie 2016 in Geneva on 18 January. The collection sees the brand break its 75-year record set in 1940 when its historic Big Pilot’s watch was the largest…
Read More » -
Dec- 2015 -17 DecemberWatch Focus
Rare Royal Navy Rolex sold for £120,000 at Bonhams auction
A military-issue Rolex wristwatch, originally purchased for under £1,000, was sold at Bonhams London Fine Watch sale on 16th December for £120,100. The watch, which was originally valued at £50,000 to £70,000, was brought to the Antiques Roadshow when the popular TV programme visited Lincolnshire in early 2015. The owner…
Read More »
