Worst year since 1984 in Swiss Watch Industry

[c.rod]

Originally Posted by Partagas

Not really surprised. Noticed on Christmas Day how many men in the family don't wear watches anymore, even my 70+ year old father who always wore a nice Rolex. With everyone carrying a smartphone, many just don't want/need to wear a watch.

This is spot on. You forgot to add the making of the "smart watch" that I see a lot of people wearing now days.

[GreenLantern]

Originally Posted by c.rod

This is spot on. You forgot to add the making of the "smart watch" that I see a lot of people wearing now days.

To be honest, most people I see wearing these smart watches didn't strike me as potential Rolex, Omega, TAG, Breitling, etc., customers anyway.

I don't actually see the Smart Watches as cannibalizing sales of Swiss watches, despite what people say / write / conclude from stats.

[bradj]

Originally Posted by GreenLantern

To be honest, most people I see wearing these smart watches didn't strike me as potential Rolex, Omega, TAG, Breitling, etc., customers anyway.

I don't actually see the Smart Watches as cannibalizing sales of Swiss watches, despite what people say / write / conclude from stats.

I think the smart watch industry attached to people not wearing a watch... or ones that wore lower end quartz/asian mechanicals.

[GreenLantern]

Originally Posted by bradj

I think the smart watch industry attached to people not wearing a watch... or ones that wore lower end quartz/asian mechanicals.

Indeed. That has been my observation as well.

If the mechanical Swiss watch industry is suffering, it's because they aren't adjusting to appeal to newer generations. Those 15 year olds today? They're going to buy Rolex's in 10-15 years.

McDonald's does a great job of "grooming" future customers.

[Sweetswisssteel]

Originally Posted by AK797

Correct, normal people shouldn't, we, the specially chosen, should.

I personally have no ability when it comes to watch design - or any design for that matter lol - but why don't you put your money where your mouth is and share some designs with us mere sub mortals..

Sent from my HTC_0P6B using Tapatalk

[Wahlberg]

Originally Posted by AK797

Hopefully this will lead to our - what you want at Basel? threads being taken even more seriously, the time of the sellers is over, let the time of the buyers begin!

When have they ever listened to the buyers? And what do the buyers want? Funky yellow subs which will sell but not in large quantities.

If it was that simple...

[Wahlberg]

Originally Posted by eterna

Last check a few months ago, Daytona Ceramic is still selling for a few grand over the MSRP.

Artificial scarcity + hype.

If Rolex would deliver and work down their waiting list it would be a normal watch and no one would care.

[AK797]

I think the smart watch has infiltrated sales even of luxury and Veblen watches like a Rolex. I've seen a few new celebs now who have first bought a Rolex upon some success and fame, then buy an AP or Hublot and then an iwatch, some in gold.

Originally Posted by Sweetswisssteel

I personally have no ability when it comes to watch design - or any design for that matter lol - but why don't you put your money where your mouth is and share some designs with us mere sub mortals..

Sent from my HTC_0P6B using Tapatalk

These I'd most like to see. Do a search here we have tons of threads on this.

Originally Posted by Wahlberg

When have they ever listened to the buyers? And what do the buyers want? Funky yellow subs which will sell but not in large quantities.

If it was that simple...

Just last year we had the Daytona finally in SS ceramic, the Exp1 with longer hands, and a smaller, better proportioned DJ2.

[exador]

Originally Posted by sanosan34

I believe it has something to do with Rolexes being veblen goods.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Veblen_good

Interesting link. I can now see that the Daytona C suffers from the "bandwagon effect".