What is the tourbillon, and how is it significant in watch design? We look at one of the most ingenious ‘complications’ ever invented The tourbillon, now over 200 years old, is one of the most exquisite and complex mechanisms ever conceived. Intended to solve a problem in time-keeping by the application of physics, it became an engineering challenge which still absorbs watchmakers – and fascinates collectors. It was on June 26th in 1801, or as...
It’s a challenging time for the luxury watch market, with sales dipping in the face of the coronavirus lockdown, new product releases delayed, and trade show Baselworld collapsing. But all this doesn’t necessarily impact the secondary market, and David Hurley, executive vice president for The Watches of Switzerland Group in the United States, says that investment-grade timepieces are still much sought-after: “During Covid, it seems people have doubled down on purchases that hold and grow...
There’s no doubt that the global luxury goods market has been hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic – but how are manufacturers planning to bounce back when it’s all over, and what changes will they have to make? A recent Euromonitor report estimated that the global luxury goods market would decline by about 18 percent during the coronavirus crisis – the question is, can it ever regain its previous heights, and if so how long...
The future of Baselworld, the high-end watch and jewellery trade show held annually since 1917, is in doubt with the defection of major exhibitors including Rolex, Swatch, Chopard, Chanel and Tudor. Organised by the MCH Group which also organises Art Basel in Basel, Miami Beach and Hong Kong, Baselworld was already ailing due to the high-profile exit of Swatch in 2019 citing issues including costs, and the loss of others including Dior, Seiko and Breitling....
The luxury watch show Baselworld has been forced to cancel its 2020 show after Switzerland’s Federal Council banned events for more than 1000 people because of fears about the spread of coronavirus Covid-19. A statement from the organiser said “For health safety reasons and in accordance with the precautionary principle following the bans of large-scale public and private events issued today by the Swiss federal and cantonal authorities, Baselworld announces that it has taken the...
Designed for the modern traveller, the Swiss-made watches in the collection start at €1,499.00 (approximately £1.350) including free worldwide shipping. Watch collector Matthew Cule created CuleM Watches by combining his two passions; a love of travel and luxury watches of the highest craftmanship. Each watch is delivered in a miniature elegant luxury ‘travel trunk’ box. CuleM’s World GMT Collection consists of three designs; The Portal, The Frame and The Lights. The dial of each watch...
Rolling Stones guitarist Ronnie Wood has collaborated with British luxury watch brand Bremont to create The 1947 Collection, a very limited series of unique and individual hand-painted watches. Ronnie Wood has individually hand painted 47 limited edition watch dials while on tour with the Rolling Stones, a nod to the year he was born, 1947. Each watch in the collection is a one-of-a-kind piece, showcasing original art from Ronnie himself, and housing a special Vaucher...
The Omega Seamaster has long been the timepiece of choice for the world’s most beloved spy: James Bond. And this year, Omega is releasing a limited edition version of the Seamaster Diver to celebrate the 50th anniversary of On Her Majesty’s Secret Service (1969). Although perhaps not the fan favourite from the film franchise, the semicentennial occasion has provided an opportunity to admire anew the spy’s watch. Like Bond himself, Omega says that the watch is...
Despite the rise of the mobile phone and smartwatch, traditional wristwatches are by no means obsolete. In fact, driven by the passion of many small, individual designers, there’s a powerful movement to bring back the wristwatch as a statement of style, personality and individuality. One of the most striking stories is that of Atelier Wen, a young brand formed by a team of French and Chinese designers with the aims of taking high-quality Chinese mechanical watches into the mainstream. It’s an open secret that even in a...
Though hit by high exhibiting prices and some big-name absences, annual watch and jewellery show Baselworld, run this year from March 21st-26th, still commands the attention of the luxury goods market. After a drop from around 2,000 exhibitors to around 600 in recent years, the future of the Swiss show seemed in doubt, and the absence this year of Swatch and all its sub-brands hasn’t done it any favours. However, so long as leading watch brands...
