Watches NEWS
The Top 10 Swiss Watch Brands in 2019 // Editorial
If the value of Swiss watch exports has slightly increased in 2019, the industry has been facing numerous challenges over the past years. Although high-end Swiss watches remain attractive, the low/mid-end segments have been under pressure as the smartwatch expansion seems to have come at the expense of the lower-priced Swiss timepieces.Most watch brands are traditionally secretive about their sales figures. Independents usually do not communicate numbers – with the notable exception of Audemars Piguet. Listed groups such as Swatch, Richemont or LVMH do not provide details by brand in their financial statements.Ever wondered just how big and popular some of the largest watch brands can get? MONOCHROME has listed the top 10 Swiss watch brands based on estimated 2019 sales. This article is based only on brands. As a comparison, the main actor of the Swiss watch industry is Swatch Group, with estimated sales of CHF 8,000 million in 2019 (8bn) –? spread over 15 watch brands and
Collector's Series - Vancouverwatchguy and his Kari Voutilainen Vingt-8
Today we return with a new instalment of The Collector's Series, and with one of the most desirable dress watches you can imagine. A collector's dream, made by one of the most revered independent watchmakers. And it'll be courtesy of @vancouverwatchguy, who lives in you guessed it, Vancouver, Canada. This 63-years-old financial entrepreneur will be talking elaborately about his passion for his Kari Voutilainen Vingt-8. Yes, it's a stunning watch, which seems rather simple at first, but clearly isn't. And his unbridled enthusiasm?for this marvellous watch is catchy, so be aware!Frank Geelen, MONOCHROME – When did you first hear about Kari Voutilainen?Vancouverwatchguy – It was in 2015 that I started to do some research into independent watchmaking. I had already owned watches from a number of the mainstream brands, and I was a reasonably seasoned collector by this time. I?owned watches from Omega, Panerai, , JLC, Cartier and two pieces from Patek, including?a Patek Grand Co
Omega Speedmaster Silver Snoopy Award 50th Anniversary // Review
Whenever Omega releases a new limited/special edition Speedmaster, you can be sure it will create noise in the collecting community. And if this watch is related to Space exploration or one of the Apollo missions, this will only increase the interest of the aficionados – and rightfully so, since Omega still owns true legitimacy in this context and the Speedy is, without a doubt, one of the most emblematic watches ever. And if this new model bears a Snoopy, well, expect great enthusiasm from the crowd. A couple of weeks ago, Omega did just that, by presenting the Omega Speedmaster “Silver Snoopy Award” 50th Anniversary. And today, we have it on the wrist and we tell you all about it.Today, we’ll focus on the watch only. If you’re still wondering what Snoopy is doing on the dial of a chronograph watch, we have you covered with an in-depth article explaining all about the Apollo 13 mission, the incident (“Okay, Houston, we've had a problem here“),
Introducing the Longines Heritage Diver collection - Monochrome Watches
Longines’ history is full of highly collectible watches and the brand is clearly?aware of that. With its Heritage collection, Longines?pays tribute to some of the most important timepieces of its past, as the Heritage 1973 Column-Wheel inspired by 1970’s racing chronographs, the Conquest Heritage that pays tribute to the original 1954 Conquest or the Legend Diver, one of the nicest and most faithful?tribute watch that we know. Last addition to the Heritage collection?is?the Heritage Diver, which harks back to the?diving watches that Longines made in the?1970’s.The Longines Heritage Diver comes in two version, a classical three hands watch and a chronograph, both self-winding and sharing the same case design. The design is?pure seventies with a 43mm cushion shape and a?sun-ray brushed top, like the original version. Both are resistant up to 300m and have a “compressor-style” case, meaning an inner rotating bezel that is actuated by a crown (at 2 o’clo
Editorial: Are We Seeing An Unexpected Return of Accessible Luxury Watches?
If you have been following the Swiss watch industry for the past years, there's been an undeniable shift towards the higher end of the market. While Swiss watch exports rose 17% between 2015 and 2022, the export value of watches with an export price below CHF 500* was halved over the same period. The industry growth has been driven by high-priced models while the low/mid-end segments have been under pressure for several years. In particular, the smartwatch expansion seems to have come at the expense of the lower-priced Swiss timepieces. But over the first six months of 2023, the total value of watches with an export price below CHF 500 rose drastically, and faster than the rest of the market. Earlier this month, Swiss watch powerhouse, Swatch Group reported sales up 18% for the first half of 2023 with strongest growth in the lowest price level. Accessible watches are still relevant but it is a matter of proposing the right product to create emotions.*(an export value of CHF 500 most of
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