Industry Richemont Shows Strong Results for First Semester 2021
Following a turbulent period, the market for luxury goods is well on track for recovery For the 6 months period ended?30 September 2021, Switzerland-based luxury group Richemont recorded strong revenue growth. At EUR 8,907 million, sales were up 63% at actual exchange rates and 65% at constant exchange rates. Compared to the same period before the pandemic – in 2019 – sales increased by 20% at actual exchange rates and by 24% at constant exchange rates. The operating profit for the period amounted to EUR 1,949 million up 331% year-on-year, and up 67% compared to the same period two years ago.Richemont reports a 67% increase for the sale of its jewelry Maisons (Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels) at EUR 5,097 million. At EUR 1,679 million, sales at the Specialist Watchmakers were 74% higher than in the prior-year period, and 7% higher on a two-year basis. Richemont underlines the growing integration of sales from a multi-brand to a mono-brand environment (Directly operated stor

VIDEO - The Seamaster Chronicles - Part 3, A Technical Perspective on the Omega Seamaster Diver 300M
Today is the third and last instalment in our series of videos entitled “The?Seamaster Chronicles”. Following our two previous movies –?the first one focusing on the history of the legendary Seamaster, and the second one looking at how Omega managed to maintain the iconic status of this watch, even after 70 years of loyal service to sporty gents – it is now time to close the circle and take a look?at the technical aspects behind the Seamaster. To do so we will examine the latest model, the Seamaster Diver 300M, a.k.a the James Bond watch. As we’ve seen in this article, innovation and a pioneering spirit have always been part of the model and this isn’t about to change.Today, MONOCHROME offers you a guided tour to the installations where most Omega watches are created, tested and certified. We take a look inside the Biel-based, newly-opened Omega Manufacture and inside the METAS Lab – right where Master Chronometer watches are intensively inspec

The Online Watch Market - Toby Bateman, Managing Director at MR PORTER (Exclusive) - Monochrome Watches
Following up with our series of interviews with major actors of the online watch market – including watch media such as Hodinkee and Revolution, which not only cover watches but also sell watches - we now get to look at one of the largest and most convincing online platforms, MR PORTER. Unique and luxurious, this successful online retailer has been integrated under the Richemont umbrella in 2018, opening new perspectives to this young company. This is why we wanted to have a chat with Toby Bateman, Managing Director at MR PORTER.Can you give us a quick history of MR PORTER?MR PORTER launched globally in February 2011 with 80 brands, positioning ourselves as the global destination for men's style, and offering a considered edit of the best in product and a fresh eye to content. We are now the leading, award-winning global destination for men's style, with over 500 of world's best menswear and lifestyle brands, including our own labels Mr P. and Kingsman, with categories as vast as

Hands-On - Patek Philippe 5320G-011 Perpetual Calendar Salmon (Price)
Some watches are more special than others… The fact that we’re talking about a perpetual calendar manufactured by Patek Philippe is already a first clue. The fact that it’s a salmon dial watch with a white metal case is only adding to this specialness… Right, but what truly makes the 5320G Perpetual Calendar special, whether this new salmon version or the recently discontinued cream-coloured version here, is the design, its inspiration and its overall vintage elegance. This watch was surprising when first launched in 2017, and the new rose gold-coloured opaline dial brings an even more desirable dimension to this watch. And here is it live.?A watch inspired by multiple historic modelsAs we’ve explained recently in our articles about the Annual Calendar Travel Time 5326G and the Green Lacquered 5270P, Patek has changed. It has evolved mostly on the design side, with watches that are in line with the expectations of a new, younger clientele who desire edgier

Video Tissot Gentleman Powermatic 80 Silicium Collection
Presented in 2019, the Tissot Gentleman Powermatic 80 is an essential all-rounder, with the multi-purpose, versatile style needed for an everyday watch. Not too fancy or formal so it can be used on weekends, not too sporty either so it can be worn at the office. Modern yet classic, it might not be a particularly original design but, it is a very effective one.?And that makes it, alongside the attractive PRX collection, one of the best Tissot models now on offer.?The 40mm diameter and 11mm height of the case make the Tissot Gentleman relatively compact on the wrist. The sleek look, with a smooth polished bezel, adds to the robust feel of the watch, as well as its discretion. The case, as you would expect from Tissot, is well-executed, nicely decorated with a combination of brushed and polished surfaces, with an overall quality that is quite impressive given its price category. For instance, the side of the lugs is highlighted by a nice polished bevel, while the flanks are brushed. The w