Watches NEWS
Industry News: Richemont Reports Stable Sales For Q1 2024, Results Down for Watches
Following the announcement yesterday of decreasing sales for the Swatch Group, particularly impacted by the industry's challenging situation in China and South East Asia, it is time today for one of its main competitors, Richemont Group, to announce its sales for the first quarter ended 30 June 2024. Contrary to expectations, global sales are to be seen as stable despite uncertainties, with sales up 1% at constant exchange rates. The owner of Cartier and watchmakers such as Lange, IWC, Vacheron or Jaeger however reports contrasted results depending on the regions and business areas, with a difficult situation for the Specialist Watchmakers.?Looking at the large picture, the Richemont Group seems to resist the current macroeconomic and geopolitical uncertainties, with sales up 1% at constant exchange rates compared to the same period in 2023 – April 1st to June 30th. The Group reports sales at EUR 5,268 million for Q1 2024 versus EUR 5,322 million for Q1 2023, a decrease of 1% due
Introducing The New IWC Portofino Complete Calendar
Since its launch during the mid-1980s (with the stunning, oversized reference 5251 and its moon-phase display), the Portofino has been the most classic offering of IWC. Even more than the Portugieser, it has to be seen as the brand’s dress watch and evokes pocket watches of the past. Recently revamped, with the 39mm Chronograph model as a flagship watch, IWC has decided to give this watch what’s expected from such a collection; traditional complications. It started with a perpetual calendar, today joined by a pointer date and the elegant Portofino Complete Calendar you’ll discover here.?While having displays that can be identical, a perpetual and a complete calendar are rather different when it comes to the mechanics that sit behind the dial. Basically, each represents an end of the spectrum in the field of calendar watches. A perpetual calendar is a complex mechanism that takes into account all the oddities of our gregorian calendar (months with 28, 30 or 31 days, as
Hands-On - Bulgari Aluminium Chronograph Ducati Special Edition
Watches are mechanical instruments that have long been associated with the world of motorsport, most of the time on four wheels. It is no secret that car enthusiasts are often equally passionate about mechanical watches and these two collecting communities have long joined forces. What's true for sports cars is also true for motorbikes and today we'll reveal the result of a collaboration that couldn't be more Italian and stylish. Two Italian icons, both for aesthetics and mechanics. On one side is the legendary motorbike manufacturer Ducati. On the other is the jeweller/watchmaker Bulgari. And when the two join forces, it gives us the edgy Bulgari Aluminium Chronograph Ducati Special Edition.Founded in 1926, since 1946 Ducati builds premium motorcycles characterized by performance engines, distinctive design, and innovative technology. Ducati motorcycles are the purest expression of refined engineering, unmistakable design and above all, a great passion. The essence of Italian style sh
Bvlgari Aluminium Frecce Tricolori - Monochrome Watches
On the occasion of Geneva Watch Days, Bvlgari brought back one of its iconic designs, presenting a modern take of the late 1990s innovative, sporty watch in aluminium and rubber. One of the Rome-based jeweller’s numerous charitable initiatives in this difficult period, Bvlgari now releases an exclusive limited series on behalf of three Italian children's hospitals.Revenue from the sale of the first 50 exclusive and numbered timepieces in the series will be donated entirely by Bvlgari to the “Un Dono dal Cielo” (A Gift from Heaven) fundraising project. Launched by the Aeronautica Militare to mark the centenary of the proclamation of the Madonna of Loreto as Patroness of all Aeronauts (scheduled for the whole of 2020 and extended to the end of 2021), the funds will support three Italian children's hospitals - Giannina Gaslini in Genoa, Bambino Ges¨´ in Rome and Santobono Pausilipon in Naples. The second 1,000-piece non-numbered series will be available internationally fr
First Look: The Olive-Green Rado Captain Cook High-Tech Ceramic Skeleton
With its Captain Cook, Rado, a brand part of the Swatch Group, is merging two important sides of its history. First, this watch collection revived one of the brand’s greatest watches of the past, a 1960s dive watch with a rather peculiar yet attractive design. Second, it is used as a vessel to showcase the company’s leading know-how in high-tech materials (the brand labels itself as The Master of Materials), in particular ceramics. This skilful blend of retro vibes and high-tech materials has recently been demonstrated with the Captain Cook High-Tech Ceramic Skeleton, which is now available in an unexpectedly cool mix of olive-green ceramic and PVD rose gold accents.?The Rado Captain Cook started its life as a classic take on the dive watch, yet with a slightly original design. Born in 1962, it was revamped in 2017 as a limited edition, then followed in 2019 by yet another 37mm limited edition – both watches faithful to the original concept and design, made out of sta