Porsche Design’s launched an online configurator for their Chronotimer Series 1 watch. Choose the case, bezel, hands, rotor and stitching from dozens of options, and then go “Wait. It costs that much?” In that sense, building a watch with the Porsche Design watch configurator is exactly like speccing-up a 911. Is this the future of watch retail? . . .
Watch Industry Braces For Historic Downturn HoDinkee proclaims. That’s like saying a car crash victim lying by the side of the road is bracing for impact. Dude, the downturn is here. Last month, Swiss watch exports fell by a staggering 81 percent. There’s no sign of a “revenge shopping” recovery. The real economy is in the tank. Ho’ writer Joe Thompson offers us a piercing glimpse into the obvious, then shares the following eye-opening prediction . . .
Continue reading “Which Watch Industry Brands Will Die? – Coronavirus Watch 22”
“Baselworld organizers are cancelling next year’s show,” wwd.com reports, “and have settled with departing labels, closing a fraught chapter in the Swiss watch event’s history.” As we predicted, as anyone with an ounce of common sense predicted, Baselworld is dead. Or is it? . . .
Earlier this week, Rolex, Chopard, Patek Philippe, Chanel and Tudor bailed on Baselworld, condemning the convention to the dustbin of history. In case anyone thought otherwise, TAG Heuer, Hublot and Zenith joined the exodus the next day. They’re all throwing in their lot with Watches & Wonders. Assuming a vaccine by spring 2021, same as it ever was? . . .
Rolex, Audemars Piguet, Patek Philippe, Hublot – Switzerland’s horological heavy hitters have ceased production. The reason given: they don’t want to put their workers at risk. Be that as it may, there’s no point making a Swiss watch. The world market has gone from freefall into hibernation. When it ends, which Swiss brands will survive? . . .
Continue reading “Swiss Watch Survivors – Coronavirus Watch 3”