COMCO, the Swiss Competition Commission, has just announced that ETA (Swatch Group’s movement manufacturer) is now free to deliver movements to third parties with no obligations or restrictions. Last December 2019, the regulator issued an unexpected decision preventing Swatch from delivering to clients at its own discretion. Criticized by many, this provisional measure meant that […]
Following the monthly announcements made by the FHS regarding Swiss watch exports and half-year results by Swatch Group a couple of days ago, it is now time for the other giant of the Swiss watch industry, Compagnie Financière Richemont SA, to announce its first-quarter 2020 results… And, as expected from the current coronavirus situation, lockdown […]
Swiss watch giant Swatch Group has just issued its 2020 half-year report and, as anticipated, its activity has been strongly impacted by the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. With manufacturing coming to a standstill and retail networks closed, the Group recorded net sales of CHF 2,197 million, -43.4% compared to the previous year at constant […]
Porsche Design watches have a long tradition of automotive influence, in particular, the iconic 911 that has been a source of inspiration for multiple models in the brand’s range. Today, Porsche Design up its game to propose something that is directly evoking the car industry, with the launch of a programme based on production principles […]
The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Swiss watch industry is severe. As countries around the world contend with the health emergency, the economic effects of suspending almost all activity have inevitably impacted the Swiss watch industry and will continue to do so for months to come. With manufacturing coming to a standstill and […]
As the Swiss watch industry is facing a severe crisis, Swatch Group announces major changes in the Executive Group Management Board and the Extended Group Management Board and appointments to the management of the Longines, Rado, Union, Tissot, Certina, and Hamilton watch brands. Raynald Aeschlimann, President and CEO of Omega and member of the Extended […]
Grand Seiko had long been a hidden gem, reserved exclusively for the Japanese domestic market. The rest of the world had to wait until 2010 to discover Seiko’s take on luxury watchmaking and precision when the brand started its globalisation strategy. Now established as one of the most respected brands in the segment, Grand Seiko […]
LVMH Group, the world leader in luxury, has just announced that Stéphane Bianchi will assume the role of CEO of the LVMH Watch and Jewelry Division with a scope enlarged to encompass jewellery brands Chaumet and FRED, in addition to TAG Heuer, Zenith and Hublot. Jean-Christophe Babin, CEO of Bvlgari, will continue to report to Toni […]
Nirupesh Joshi and his wife Mercy Amalraj founded Bangalore Watch Company in 2018 with the goal of representing 21st-century India with exciting and high-quality watch collections. Neither worked in the watchmaking field prior to this, as both had successful tech and consulting careers. Nirupesh is an aviation and watch enthusiast and grew frustrated by his […]
I guess I need to start this interview with an apology. Sorry, this interview is long, very long, comprising close to 3,000 words. However, the conversation with Chris Grainger-Herr, CEO of IWC Schaffhausen, was great and there was just so much to say about the new Portugiesers. We had the conversation two weeks ago, in the midst of the COVID-19 lock-down. Chris was in his office, in Schaffhausen, and the interview was done through a zoom-meeting. It’s weird, not sitting together for a talk, but it is what it is and I guess for the foreseeable future this is going to be the new normal.