[ via Blancpain ]

Blancpain is proud to be opening its second Boutique on Swiss soil. Located on the corner of Zurich's famous Bahnhofstrasse shopping mile and the equally renowned Paradeplatz, a two-floor 100 square-metre store is opening today, entirely dedicated to displaying the collections of the world's oldest watch brand.

Reflecting the philosophy prevailing in the Manufacture in Le Brassus, a village nestling at the far end of the Lac de Joux, Blancpain Boutiques convey the same spirit that pervades the workshops of its master-watchmakers. Crafted by a skilled cabinetmaker from the Vallée de Joux, the interior design of the boutique is imbued with the regional heritage and the Blancpain horological know-how perpetuated for the past 270 years.

Noble woodwork, refined mouldings, pure, streamlined furniture, along with traditional wrought iron catches adorning the windows and displays, all contribute to endowing the premises with a characteristic Blancpain touch of luxury and elegance.

Comfortable leather chairs welcome visitors, who can thus savour a "lounge" atmosphere in which to discover subtle timepieces created in harmony with the noblest watchmaking traditions and provide an area conducive to friendly exchanges, a value Blancpain consistently cultivates in conjunction with an inimitable art of hospitality and time-honoured expertise.

BLANCPAIN BOUTIQUE
Bahnhofstrasse 28 - Paradeplatz
CH - 8001 ZURICH
Tel.: + 41 44 220 11 80
Fax: + 41 44 220 11 82
E-mail :boutique.zuerich@blancpain.com

Posted by Jason Pitsch at 1:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

[ via FHS ]

Still on the up, despite a very negative base effect

Swiss watch exports recorded an increase of 8.5% in July. While below the average, this result remains satisfactory. Indeed, its basis of comparison is the highest increase of 2007, when July showed an exceptional upturn of 28.4% to become one of the best months of the year, even though the summer is generally quieter for the sector. Despite this very negative base effect, exports attained a very high level of 1.6 billion francs in July 2008, the third best result ever recorded. The cumulative value over seven months approached 10 billion francs (9.9 billion), maintaining the pace with an increase of 13.8%.

[ Read More Swiss Exports July 2008.pdf ]

Posted by Jason Pitsch at 1:51 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

CORUM announced today the appointment of Serge Weinberg as its new Chairman of the Board replacing the recently deceased Severin Wunderman, who purchased and managed the CORUM Group since 2000.

Mr. Weinberg is the former Chairman of the Management Board of the Pinault-Printemps-Redoute ("PPR") Group. In 2005 he founded the investment firm Weinberg Capital Partners, active in Lbo and real estate investments. He is also the Non-Executive Chairman of the Accor Group. He serves as a director of Schneider Electric, Gucci Group. He also has served as a member of various government advisory boards.

Serge Weinberg, Richard E. Tomlin, Jr. (Managing Director of the Board) and Michael Wunderman (Creative Director of the Board) form the CORUM Group Board.

Antonio Calce, Chief Executive Officer, will continue to manage the global operations of the company and will report directly to the Board.

CORUM is a family-owned and operated Luxury Watch Manufacturer and Distributor located in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland since 1955. As an exclusive brand, CORUM offers ranges of exceptional quality watches that are innovative, with a distinctive design and dedicated complications. Since 2005, the brand has grown at a rapid pace. Founded on four pillars (The Admiral's Cup - The Romvlvs - The Golden Bridge - The Artisans), the collection includes models equipped with mechanical movements whose prices range from 5'000 US$ to 1 million US$ integrating precious metals and technical complexity.

[ via Corum ]

Read "CORUM announces Serge Weinberg as Chairman of the Board" »

Posted by Jason Pitsch at 10:36 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

[ via Jaeger-LeCoultre ]

PRESS RELEASE:

Jaeger-LeCoultre is associating with an up and coming polo player by supporting Juan Martín Nero of Argentina. Recognised as one of the world's top three players, this youthful prodigy with an amazing career behind him already has distinguished himself on European polo fields by winning one of the three major tournaments on the international circuit, the British Open, and will be carrying the Jaeger-LeCoultre colours at the Sotogrande tournament.

Jaeger-LeCoultre could not have hoped to choose a finer ambassador for a new partnership than the 27 year-old currently considered as the "little prince of polo": Juan Martín Nero, or "Juanma" as he is known among friends. Driven by a wish to establish ever closer ties with the world of polo, Jaeger-LeCoultre has decided to support this talented young player from Argentina who is proving fully worthy of his elders, and to thereby broaden its team of professional players.

Read "JAEGER-LECOULTRE Squadra & Juan Martín Nero" »

Posted by Jason Pitsch at 10:32 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Richemont and Manufacture Roger Dubuis SA are pleased to announce the appointment of Mr Matthias Schuler as Chief Executive Officer of Manufacture Roger Dubuis SA. In his previous position as Chief Operating Officer of IWC, Matthias Schuler has developed significant expertise in the Swiss watch industry.

Manufacture Roger Dubuis will continue to create, manufacture and distribute innovative watches under the Roger Dubuis name and will operate as an autonomous Maison within Richemont. Manufacture Roger Dubuis SA will benefit from broader integration of its distribution into the Richemont structure which will support the development of its international business and notoriety.

[ via Richemont ]

Posted by Jason Pitsch at 9:41 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Richemont is pleased to announce that the Group has acquired a controlling interest in the well known Geneva watch company, Manufacture Roger Dubuis SA in a private transaction with Mr Carlos Dias, one of the founding shareholders.

Manufacture Roger Dubuis SA will continue to manufacture and distribute watches under the 'Roger Dubuis' name and will operate as an autonomous 'Maison' within Richemont. Roger Dubuis will benefit from broader integration of its distribution into the Richemont structure as a consequence of the transaction.

Commenting on the transaction, Mr Johann Rupert, Executive Chairman of Richemont, said:

"Roger Dubuis watches are highly innovative in terms of movements and design. As a young business, it is very different from the more established specialist watchmakers within the Group today; as such it complements our Maisons perfectly. We look forward to developing the Roger Dubuis business internationally."

The transaction will have no material impact on Richemont's consolidated net assets and is not expected to have any significant impact on the Group's overall profitability for the year ending 31 March 2009.

Posted by Jason Pitsch at 11:03 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The Contrôle Officiel Suisse des Chronomètres or COSC (The Official Swiss Control Office for Chronometres) has announced record figures for 2007. The number of certificates registered in 2007 was up 13.3 per cent from 2006 with a total number of 1,538,676 registrations.

The top three companies applying for registration at COSC were Rolex with 728,255 certificates, Omega with 341,161 and Breitling with 222,650.

This important growth, and the accumulation that followed, has resulted in almost full capacity for the COSC in some areas, which will mean adjustments and investment. The number of movements equipped with additional modules has also meant that changes in the control process have been necessary. These changes have been incorporated by the technical services of the COSC with success.

A "chronometer" is a high-precision watch capable of displaying the seconds and housing a movement that has been tested over several days, in different positions and at different temperatures, by an official neutral body (COSC).
Each chronometer is unique, identified by a number engraved on its movement and a certification number given by the COSC.

Each movement is individually tested for several consecutive days, in 5 positions and at 3 temperatures.

Each movement is individually measured. Any watch with the denomination "chronometer" is provided with a certified movement.

Posted by Jason Pitsch at 1:47 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

According to the FHS watch exports report, eight of the top ten watch markets recorded an increase, year over year, for the first six months of 2008. Total Swiss watch exports increased 14.9%, year over year. Even in a slow economy it appears that Swiss watches are still strong. Hopefully the last six months of the year will be as successful.

2008/2007/2006 Revenue (Top 10 Markets)

1. Hong Kong 1,314.8/1,087.3/903.3 (+20.9%)
2. USA 1,188.9/1,167.3/1,026.4 (+1.8%)
3. Japan 561.4/591.5/577.3 (-5.1%)
4. France 523.9/428.9/370.1 (+22.1%)
5. Italy 502.9/475.0/417.9 (+5.9%)
6. Germany 433.0/383.0/361.1 (+13.0%)
7. China 397.4/242.1/188.0 (+64.1%)
8. Singapore 382.6/263.2/251.4 (+45.4%)
9. United Arab Emirates 340.2/235.8/196.4 (+44.3%)
10. United Kingdom 293.5/311.2/272.5 -(5.7%)

Total of all Markets 8,294.6/7,219.8/6,252.8 (+14.9%)
*Value in millions CHF (Swiss Francs)

Posted by Jason Pitsch at 12:15 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The Swatch Group Ltd («Swatch Group»), the world's largest watch manufacturer, has today announced the acquisition of an important stake in the Rivoli Group («Rivoli»), one of the leading lifestyle luxury goods retailers in the GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) which operates over 245 retail outlets. The strong partnership will support Rivoli's regional expansion strategy including its entry into the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and India.

Headquartered in Dubai, Rivoli is a private retail company with a diverse portfolio of international luxury brands and an extensive retail network in the UAE, Bahrain, Oman and Qatar. Established in 1988, the Rivoli Group has built a strong reputation as a leading luxury retailer. Rivoli is a portfolio company of Dubai International Capital.

The Swatch Group is the world's largest watch manufacturer with over 19 brands, going from the luxury and prestige segment with Breguet to the basic range with Swatch with over 160 factories in Switzerland (23,000 employees worldwide) and delivereing movements apart from the own brands to the while Swiss watch industry. Last year, the turnovr of the Swatch Group was record 6 billion Swiss Francs.

Read "SWATCH GROUP Aquires Stake in Rivoli Group" »

Posted by Jason Pitsch at 10:02 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

[ via AK Geneve ]

Here is a quote from the AK Geneve HMS Warp press release.

"Arny Kapshitzer (the "AK" of AK Geneva) had long been dreaming of rolling up his sleeves, getting his shirt wet, slogging his guts out, in short, of doing battle with watchmaking."

This concept watch should be available this November. Please hit the link to see one more picture and press release.

Read "AK Geneve HMS Warp" »

Posted by Jason Pitsch at 10:51 AM | Permalink | Comments (4)

If you are a fan of poker and/or watches, then you should check out this video interview of Michael Wunderman, Corum President. Corum is the official maufacturer of the prestigious World Series of Poker bracelet. Corum SA also produces custom timepieces for the final nine players of the "main event", the winner of the "horse" tournament, and the ladies' champion.

Posted by Jason Pitsch at 6:21 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

[ via A. Lange & Söhne ]

19-year-old Nadine Görgl starts work today for Lange Uhren GmbH, making her the 500th employee to be taken on by the company. She also did her watchmaking apprenticeship in Glashütte and will be working in the final adjustment section of this traditional manufactory. She starts work for the exclusive watch brand from Saxony along with eleven other talented young watchmakers, of which seven are graduates of the company's in-house Watchmaking School.

When Walter Lange, the great grandson of founder Ferdinand Adolph Lange, took on the legacy of his ancestors in 1990 after the fall of the Berlin Wall and more than four decades of forced inactivity, he possibly imagined that the company might one day end up employing a workforce of a hundred or so. Now, 18 years later, Lange CEO Fabian Krone is delighted to have five times this number of employees: "Because of the growing global demand for the timepieces created by A. Lange & Söhne, we expect the need for highly qualified staff to remain over the coming years. And since the number of complicated watch movements is continuing to increase, there will still only be a few thousand watches leaving the manufactory each year in the future despite the growing size of the workforce." With the start of work this year on the construction of a further production building, Lange is in an ideal position for this increase in personnel.

Around half of the more than 1,000 people employed in the Glashütte watch industry today work for Lange. The company has made a major contribution towards establishing this small town in the Ore Mountains region of Saxony as an international centre of precision watchmaking. As the largest employer in the area, Lange has a significant role in the future of the town by training the next generation of watchmakers. So far more than 50 watchmaking students have successfully completed their 3-year course in the Watchmaking School at the Original Lange Headquarters. Currently 25 young men and women are learning the profession of watchmaking at Lange.

Posted by Jason Pitsch at 9:49 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

[ via SwissTime ]

The first watch from new brand Maitres du Temps is the Chapter One and it's practically a book unto itself. The new brand was founded by Steven Holtzman the ex-distributor of Roger Dubuis in North America and will showcase designs from Christophe Claret, Roger Dubuis and Peter Speake-Marin.

The ease of both reading and adjusting Chapter One's many indications disguises the fact that this is a world-first combination of complications crafted from 558 components. No other wristwatch has featured a tourbillon with mono-pusher column wheel chronograph, retrograde date, and retrograde GMT, as well as moon phase and day of the week on their own rolling bars. Long, flowing compound curves traverse the case while scintillating laser-pierced moon and stars on the outer roller of the moon phase indicator add to its stellar elegance.

Read "MAITRES DU TEMPS Chapter One" »

Posted by Jason Pitsch at 10:42 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

[ via SwissTime ]

The new Russian watch and jewellery fair Golden Globe to be held in October

Golden Globe, third international jewellery and watch exhibition, will take place in Crocus Expo IEC from the 23rd up to 26th of October in Moscow. Over 1, 000 specialists and 15, 000 buyers are expected to visit the exhibition. In 2008 impressive demonstration of watches will be organized for the first time in the framework of the exhibition. The largest exhibition center in Russia Crocus Expo and Watch Business magazine are the organizers of the event. Watchmaking companies as well as distributors are expected to visit Golden Globe. Distributors of such brands as Cuervo & Sobrinos, ORIS, GUESS, Roberto Cavalli, VALENTINO, SECTOR, Timex, GF Ferre, Kieninger and many others have already listed their names among participants of the exhibition. Unlike other countries, watch and jewellery markets in Russia still exist separately. Golden Globe has a chance to become a good turning point, helping to increase watch sales due to dealing with jewellery market.

Posted by Jason Pitsch at 10:36 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

[ via Reuters ]

Tiffany & Co. filed a lawsuit against EBay Inc four-years ago, the ruling was handed down yesterday, in favor of EBay. Tiffany & Co, among many other brands, has alleged that eBay turned a blind eye to the sale of fake "trademarked" goods on its site. EBay's position is that it is not legally required to determine which goods are knock-offs. San Jose, California-based eBay claims it takes down more than 90 percent of fake goods from its site within four hours of their posting after being alerted by trademark holders.

EBay may claim to take down 90 percent of the fake goods once alerted by trademark holders, but if this were truly the case I do not think we would see so many lawsuits against the online auctioneer. EBay may not be able to police every seller on their massive site, however they can at least target the high volume counterfeiters. MORE

Posted by Jason Pitsch at 10:28 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

[ via Audemars Piguet ]

Audemars Piguet Board of Directors has the pleasure to announce the nomination of Mr. Philippe C. Merk, currently the Chief Executive Officer of Desco Luxury Group (Maurice Lacroix), to the post of Chief Executive Officer of Audemars Piguet Holding SA. He will begin on January 1st, 2009.

Mr. Merk, who is 51 years old, fulfilled different important functions in the pharmaceutical field, as well as senior positions in the food industry in the USA, Germany, Asia and Switzerland. In 2001, he took over the running of the Maurice Lacroix watch brand which he turned around with great success. Mr. Merk holds a diploma in chemical physics from the Engineering School in Zurich and an MBA from IMD in Lausanne. He is married and has two children.

The members of the Board wish him every success in his new function and would like to take this opportunity to thank in advance the entire staff for their support.

Furthermore, Georges-Henri Meylan will continue to act as CEO of AP until December 31st, 2008 and assist in the transition of his successor. We will have many occasions in the future to show our appreciation with regards to Georges-Henri Meylan who will remain a member of the Board. But we would like to once again thank him for his service to the Company for more than 20 years in which time AP has enjoyed an impressive growth.

Source: Jasmine Audemars, Chairwoman, Board of Audemars Piguet Holding SA

Posted by Jason Pitsch at 10:31 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

[ via Jaeger-LeCoultre ]

Leonardo DiCaprio, who is teaming with Jaeger-LeCoultre on environmental efforts, wears the brand's one-of-a-kind "Master Compressor Extreme Lab" timepiece to the premiere of his documentary, "The 11th Hour."

Swiss watch company Jaeger Le-Coultre has teamed up with actor and environmental activist Leonardo DiCaprio on a fund-raising program designed to benefit green-friendly efforts worldwide.

The "Time to Care" program, which will benefit the Leonardo DiCaprio Fund at the California Community Foundation (CCF), will focus on the sale of two uniquely executed timepieces in the fall of 2008, the brand announced in a press release on Tuesday.

Both timepieces will be the first in a limited series of watches that feature technology that has never been used before, with 100 percent of the proceeds funneled to the DiCaprio fund at the CCF.

The first unique piece for sale will be a one-of-a-kind "Master Compressor Extreme Lab," worn by DiCaprio to the premiere of his documentary, The 11th Hour and engraved with his signature. Valued at US$300,000, it will be the first watch in the "Extreme Lab" series to be delivered anywhere in the world.

Read "Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Compressor Extreme Lab and Leonardo DiCaprio" »

Posted by Jason Pitsch at 10:23 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

[ via Porsche Design ]

Porsche Design has designated a collection of products, including the "60 Years of Porsche" Classic Chronograph, in honor of the brand's anniversary. The timepiece features a date display, split-time measurement facility, tachymeter for measuring speed, luminous hour and minute hands, and a stainless steel casing. Only 600 are being produced.

Posted by Jason Pitsch at 10:02 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

LVMH wins a big lawsuit against eBay Inc. The lawsuit not only affects the sale of counterfeit goods on eBay, but unauthorized "grey market" goods as well. This is a big hit to eBay, who denies it is their responsibility to police the sale of goods. I personally like eBay, it is a great place to buy and sell all types of products. However, eBay should be held accountable, for allowing counterfeiters to conduct illegal business on their auction site.

"PARIS (Reuters) - A French court ordered eBay Inc to pay 38.6 million euros ($61 million) to luxury goods group LVMH for allowing the sale of fake merchandise, in a ruling immediately appealed by the online auction website.

Monday's decision, a month after eBay was ordered by another French court to pay handbag and scarves maker Hermes 20,000 euros for allowing the sale of counterfeits, is the latest episode in a long fight between luxury goods makers and the world's biggest online auctioneer."

[ Read More Reuters ]

Posted by Jason Pitsch at 6:09 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

[ via IWC ]

These are pics from the launch party, for the IWC Ingenieur Automatic Edition Zinédine Zidane, that took place in Paris. Tony Parker, Eva Longoria, Zinédine Zidane and Veronique Fernandez all attended the event.

PRESS RELEASE:

The famous IWC Ingenieur watch has been introduced in a commemorative, limited edition variant that pays tribute to a football legend. Presented in a series of 1,000 individual pieces, the IWC Ingenieur Automatic Edition Zinédine Zidane watch commemorates the vibrant career and exceptional skill and stamina of Zinédine Zidane. The Marseilles-born Zidane, who played for the clubs of Juventus Turin and Real Madrid obtained numerous titles, both national and international. Recognition for his outstanding accomplishments include three World Footballer of the Year awards, and the 1999 World Sportsman of the Year.

The IWC Ingenieur Automatic Edition Zinédine Zidane watch shares the case design, 120-meter water resistance, anti-magnetic protection, and exclusive Pellaton-winding 80110 caliber movement of the regular production Ingenieur Automatic. It is the many distinctive details which give this commemorative model its unique flavor; the blue dial and strap, both accented with red, evoke the national colors of France--the country which Zidane played 108 times for over a twelve year interval. Turning the timepiece over reveals an intricately detailed caseback which showcases an engraved portrait of the athlete and his signature, along with a circular designation for the model name, and the inscriptions "Zinédine Zidane", and "World Championship 1998". Additionally, a small engraving opposite the serial number shows the numbered edition.

This limited edition IWC timepiece was introduced by IWC CEO Georges Kern and Zinédine Zidane himself, at a special event in Paris on June 16. MORE PICS

Posted by Jason Pitsch at 6:42 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

[ via TheTimeTv ]

Blancpain SA and Vincent Calabrese, a love story

Paudex/Le Brassus, 23 June 2008 – Blancpain SA, a company of The Swatch Group Ltd., is announcing that it acquired the company Vica Sàrl and, with this acquisition, the Vincent Calabrese brand.

Mr. Vincent Calabrese, who created the first of his famous watches, the Golden Bridge, in 1997, also co-founded the AHCI Horological Academy of Independent Creators in 1985. At the birth of this renowned academy he created and exhibited his first Tourbillon according to the principle of his “spatial watchmaking”. This Tourbillon, which is entirely handcrafted and made in 18-carat gold, is suspended in a case of sapphires and therefore seems to float in space. It is a piece full of poetry, the purity and esthetics of which transcend its mechanical and technical complexities.

When Jacques Piguet, who at the time was the owner of Frédéric Piguet SA and Blancpain SA, discovered this watch, he asked Vincent Calabrese to create a Tourbillon for Blancpain. This Tourbillon is one of the most beautiful watches ever made.

Vincent Calabrese has now decided to expand his creative opportunities and production facilities by selling the company Vica Sàrl to Blancpain SA. The Vincent Calabrese brand name as well as the facilities, developments and patents will pass into the ownership of Blancpain SA. Vincent Calabrese, an artisan watchmaker of extraordinary talent, will join the team at Blancpain managed by Marc A. Hayek, Managing Director, and become a member of the Executive Management Board. This will allow him to focus exclusively on research and the realization of unique projects for Blancpain.

With Vincent Calabrese, Blancpain SA will enhance its creative capabilities in relation to highly complex watches.

Posted by Jason Pitsch at 2:41 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

[ via NYMag ]

Jacob Arabov, aka "Jacob the Jeweler," (pictured above) just got sentenced to 30 months in jail according to WWD. Jacob, founder of Jacob & Co., will also have to pay a $2 million fine. The sentencing was related to a $270 million money laundering case, that he was arrested for back on June 15, 2006. Cool thing is, he had his lawyers postpone the sentencing until now, so he could prepare his company to operate in his absence.

Posted by Jason Pitsch at 10:29 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Please check out our new Buyer's Guide. The "Buyer's Guide" is a basic step-by-step guide designed to guide you through the process of selecting and purchasing a watch.

Posted by Jason Pitsch at 9:33 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

[ via Bell & Ross ]

PRESS RELEASE:

For the fourth consecutive year, Bell & Ross joined this sporting event, voted by car enthusiasts as an exceptional motor race out of common interest.

“The parade” taking place in the heart of Le Mans, is a collection of 150 cars from all over the world come to race on the three kilometres course.

Since 1995 the parade has provided a unique opportunity for impassioned, professional collectors and pilots to gather.

Innovative techniques, avant-garde design, High-tech materials, and precision mechanics: the Haute Horlogerie industry merges ideally with the motor racing.
The Bell & Ross watches represent this union perfectly.

Designed for professionals who require tools of optimal reliability, Bell & Ross watches meet fourfundamental principles: readability, performance, precision and water-resistance.

The chronographs have become a reference with regards to sport watches particularly in the field of the motor racing.

To close the parade, about fifteen Supercars created a public sensation. The height of technology and performance, this selection of exceptional cars represent a must in the sporting universe.

The Bell & Ross presentation: The world’s most prestigious presentation of Supercars!

At the end of the Parade, Surgit Raï, the owner of the Ferrari Enzo and the Bugatti Veyron, was chosen by the Classic Automobiles Association as the winner of the Bell & Ross Space 3 Grey Titanium watch.

Read "Bell & Ross at Parade of Pilots at Lemans" »

Posted by Jason Pitsch at 10:38 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

[ via Businessweek ]

Hermès may have only won about $30,000 in the recent counterfeit lawsuit against eBay, however the case sets a precedent for current and future cases. LVMH currently has a suit pending against eBay, that could cost eBay $57 million dollars. Google has already lost over $400,000 to LVMH in the past, for allowing counterfeiters to purchase keywords on their Adwords network.

Counterfeiting thrives online and I am glad the courts are finally cracking down on this illegal business. It is so unethical that companies such as eBay and Google just sit back and do nothing to prevent counterfeiters from running their illegal operations online.

How many lawsuits will it take before these companies realize that what they are allowing on their networks is inappropriate?

Posted by Jason Pitsch at 2:45 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

[ Press Release via LVMH ]

Paris, 24 April 2008

LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton, the world’s leading luxury group, announces that it has signed an agreement to acquire the Hublot group, a top of the range watchmaker enjoying very strong growth.

LVMH will acquire Hublot from Mr Carlo Crocco, who founded the group in 1980, and
a company controlled by Mr Jean-Claude Biver, who has managed Hublot since
2004.

Hublot is a brand that is highly complementary to LVMH’s existing watch portfolio
comprising TAG Heuer, the world leader in prestigious sport watches and
chronographs, the Swiss Watch Manufacturer Zenith, Dior Montres, Louis Vuitton
watches sold exclusively in Louis Vuitton stores, and the watch collections of
jewellers Chaumet, Fred and De Beers.

Read "LVMH acquires Swiss watchmaker Hublot" »

Posted by Jason Pitsch at 10:56 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

[ via Baselworld/SwissTime ]

For 2008 the Baselworld Watch and Jewellry Show once again produced record numbers. Baselworld 2008 had 2,087 exhibiting companies from 45 countries spread across 6 halls and over 500,000 square feet of exhibit space. A record 2,981 journalists showed up this year which is up 8% from last year. Most importantly a record 106,800 (up 5%) visitors came to Basel from around the globe to view exclusive designs at the world's largest and most prestigious watch and jewellry event.

François Thiébaud, President of the Swiss Exhibitors Committee, said "Anyone who believed the reports of economic doom and gloom ahead of the Show has been misled: it may have been cold outside, but the sun has certainly shone in the halls. The results are excellent. Once again, 2008 has proved even better than previous years."

Baselworld 2009 - the World Watch and Jewellery Show will take place from March 26 to April 2, 2009 at the Exhibition Center in Basel, Switzerland.

Hit the jump for a slideshow image gallery.

Read "BASELWORLD 2008 Reports Record Numbers" »

Posted by Jason Pitsch at 4:47 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

[ via NationalJeweler ]

The War Veterans Watchmaker Initiative, in conjunction with the American Watch Guild, will be launching The Watchmaker and Technician Training Program for Disabled War Veterans and War Veterans.

With the number of practicing watchmakers at an all-time-low of 4,400, the goal of the program is to help replenish the shortage of watchmakers and watch technicians.

Read "War Veterans Watchmaking Technician Training Program" »

Posted by Jason Pitsch at 1:55 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

[ via Luxist ]

Hollywood stars Teri Hatcher and Ashton Kutcher are the newest brand ambassadors of Baume & Mercier. Both will appear in the brand’s 2008 "Baume & Mercier & Me" ad campaign which begins Jan 1. The cool thing is that all of the royalties will be donated to charity such as: the fight against cancer, the promotion of child education and helping of underpivileged women.

Posted by Jason Pitsch at 2:43 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

[ via Nationaljeweler ]

Watch sales at Amazon.com increased more than 100 percent in the first quarter of 2007, compared to the same period last year, marking the sixth consecutive quarter the online retail giant has seen its sales in the category double.

Amazon.com customers bought more than 23,000 unique styles of watches in the first quarter, including styles from 954 luxury brands. The company added more than 2,500 new brands and styles to its watch and jewelry store during the period.

Top watch sellers included the $17,316 Cartier men's Tank Francaise, the $12,275 Omega men's Seamaster, the $8,860 Chopard men's Mille Miglia, the $2,440 Baume & Mercier women's Diamant and the $1,750 TAG Heuer men's Formula One. The store also benefited from the addition of fashion brands, including Anne Klein New York, AK Anne Klein, Kenneth Cole Reaction, LeVian and Tokyo Flash.

Posted by Jason Pitsch at 9:10 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)