Joseph Adams, Author at The Truth About Watches

August 23, 2021 Joseph Adams

Swiss Watchmakers – China Syndrome?

When France sneezes, Europe catches a cold. So said Klemens von Metternich on the occasion of the year of 1848 where revolution rocked Europe. Old Klemens was exaggerating a little – there were a lot of factors behind the 50 democratic revolutions across the Continent. Still, I was reminded of this phrase when reading about the $70b knocked off the market capitalization of four of Europe’s biggest luxury retailers – mooting the prospect of Swiss watchmakers’ China Syndrome. All because of a speech by one man. Not just any man . . .

July 9, 2021 Joseph Adams

Green Dial Nautilus 5711 Madness

As Patek Philippe’s green dial Nautilus rolls off the assembly line, the insanity surrounding the last of the Swiss watchmaker’s classic 5711 Nautili rolls on. As you can see from the chrono24.com listing above, an example hit the secondary market for a significant premium (retail $34,893). That said, the asking price seems a bit optimistic. Or is it? We’ll know soon enough . . .

June 1, 2021 Joseph Adams

Rolex Availability – Round it Down to Zero

Rolex is boring. Their product development is boring, their marketing is boring and their fans are boring. Caught between a Rolex collector and a Porsche aficionado at dinner, I considered stabbing myself in the eye with a shrimp fork. Equally boring: Rolex availability, or lack thereof. The Great Rolex Shortage of 2021 goes on and on and on. With this tedium in mind, I walked by the Rolex-branded monoline AD at the Valley Fair Mall in San Jose on my way to pick something up for my wife . . .

April 21, 2021 Joseph Adams

Watch Discounts – Where Are They?

In a recent article about the Swiss watch glut, commentator Will asked “If there’s a glut, where are the watch discounts?” We at TTAW believe the question deserves a thoughtful answer. First, it’s important to understand the limits of supply and demand economics . . .

March 25, 2021 Joseph Adams

Swatch to Trade Fairs – Drop Dead

“Longines CEO Matthias Breschan says Swatch Group brands will not return to vast global trade shares like Baselworld or Watches and Wonders,” watchpro.com reports. Shares or fairs, no matter how you slice it, Mr. Breschan’s announcement will send shock waves throughout the entire watch industry. The Swatch Group owns 18 watch brands, from upmarket Harry Winston to mass market Swatch. Their decision to ditch the big shows . . .