Market News

Richemont announces five-month sale up 29 percent

Richemont announced that its sales for the five months ended 31 August 2011 has increased by 29 percent at actual exchange rates. At constant exchange rates, sales increased by 35 percent. On a region-by-region basis, sales growth in Europe was robust, reflecting purchases made by local clients as well as travellers. The Asia-Pacific region continues to report very strong sales growth. Sales growth in the Americas was also notable. Sales in Japan increased, despite the aftermath of the natural disasters which struck that country in March. Richemont expects its sales and operating profit for the first six months of this year to be significantly higher than the comparative period.

Dubai airport records 8.9 percent increase in passenger traffic in H1

Dubai International Airport has recorded 8.9 percent increase in the first half of the year with 4.1 million compared to 3.8 million in the same period in 2010. Dubai Airport as the world's fourth busiest airport handled 24.6 million passengers up from 22.6 million passengers in the first six months of last year, it said in a statement. Average monthly passenger traffic in the first half of 2011 stands at 4.1 million compared with 3.8 million in the same period last year. Passenger numbers at Dubai International Airport are set to exceed 75 million by 2015, Dubai Airports said.

Saudi sees economic growth by 6.5 percent in 2011

A key Saudi bank said it sees economic growth in Saudi Arabia this year as GDP to rise by 6.5 percent due to higher oil output and public spending. Saudi Arabia’s economy grew by around 3.8 percent in real terms in 2010 and is expected to sharply pick up by nearly 6.5 percent this year because of higher oil output and public spending. The world’s top oil exporter and largest Arab economy is expected to overshoot its budgeted expenditure by more than a third in 2011, tempted by a surge in crude prices and its foreign assets, the Saudi American Bank (Samba) said. “We think real growth will reach 6.5 percent this year, the highest level since 2003, and comparable to the rates seen in the most dynamic emerging markets,” Samba said.

Company News

Richard Mille supports Jackie Chan Dragon's Heart Foundation

Richard Mille has recently presented the RM 055 JC tourbillon, a unique timepiece in white gold specifically created for sale at the Jackie Chan auction he will organize on 14th September in Beijing to support children from remote areas. The money raised from the auction will enable Jackie Chan to pursue his actions in favor of aiding less favorable children in remote areas through the construction of new schools; 20 of which have already been built since 2004.

Ulysse Nardin launches its first newsletter in China

Ulysse Nardin has announced the launch of its first Chinese-language newsletter. The company will publish the newsletter three times year, and it plans to distribute 7,000 copies at Ulysse Nardin retailers throughout China. Another 2,000 copies will be distributed in other markets. The eight-page, four-color glossy newsletter includes information about Ulysse Nardin, new product recommendations, stories behind the watches, a technical question-and-answer section and watch collecting tips. In addition, customer feedback, retailer interviews, and product highlight photos as well as Ulysse Nardin stories that appear in the media, will be published.

Eberhard & Co. in Geneva's Watchmaking Grand Prix 2011

Eberhard & Co. took part at the 11^th edition of the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Geneve, one of the most prestigious gatherings in the international watch-making calendar. The prize-giving gala was took place on 19 August 2011 at Grand Theatre de Geneve, in presence of 1400 guests representing the elite c industry. The Swiss Maison presented two of its most popular models: Chrono 4 Geant Titanium 10^th Anniversary and Gilda Floral that competed in the Montre Homme and Montre Femme categories respectively.

Product Launch

Vacheron Constantin welcomes new model from the Collection Excellence Platine

Alpina Startimer Manufacture in 18K Rose Gold

In celebration of the Fifth Anniversary its Manufacture in Plan-les-Ouates, Alpina Geneve is proud to introduce a beautiful Pilot Manufacture watch in 18K Rose Gold. The Alpina Startimer Pilot Collection is a highly attractive range of contemporary timepieces, inspired by original Alpina designs from the 1920s and 30s.  The clean design of this timepiece was clearly inspired by Alpina’s past: a generous 44 mm, anti-reflective satin-finished 18K Rose Gold case, mat black dial with oversized white luminous numerals, a glare-free sapphire crystal and a signature red Alpina-triangle on the second hand are the key features.  A newly designed metal bracelet is available too, and fits on all versions.

Arnold & Son unveils the newest addition to the HMS1 collection

The newest addition to the HMS1 collection is the timepiece featuring an anthracite dial in a classical elegant steel case. The case is 40mm in diameter, available in rose gold or stainless steel case and houses a manufacture handwound movement which is only 2.7 mm thick. With further details such as hand angling and decoration of all bridges and fine hand stitching on the alligator strap, this HMS1 line is a true modern expression of the traditional search for precision combined with superior craftsmanship that Arnold & Son has always pursued. The Arnold & Son HMS1 is water resistant to 30 meters.

BOVET unveils a symbolic timepiece rich in symbols

BOVET will be participating in the third Only Watch auction for Duchenne Muscular Distrophy Research on September 2011. The brand will bestow a timepiece created specifically for this occasion. It will reveal its uniqueness by a traditional artisan engraving decoration in line with the identity of BOVET and the message of hope that Pascal Raffy wishes to transmit. For this occasion, he chose to ornate the 7-day Tourbillon BOVET with Reverse Hand-Fitting. Like the entire Fleurier collection, this timepiece is housed in an Amadeo® case.

Carl F. Bucherer presents the timepiece and calendar with gold finish

During the Baselworld 2011, Carl F. Bucherer launches the Manero MoonPhase from the classic Manero range. The aesthetically pleasing calendar shows not only the current date, day and month, but also the moon phase. All presented in an attractive rose gold case. With a diameter of 38 mm, a classic size for top quality Manufacture watches, the 18 K rose gold case forms a harmonious setting for the silver-colored dial with its 12 index marks in the same color. In spite of the many indications of complications, Carl F. Bucherer placed special emphasis on optimum legibility during its design, as can be seen from the wedge-shaped index marks and the tapered Superluminova-coated hours and minutes hands.

DeWitt’s Twenty-8-Eight Collection launches Summery White Declinations

DeWitt’s summery white declinations from Twenty-8-Eight collection are available in automatic and tourbillon timepieces. The face of the Twenty-8-Eight Automatic is artistically divided in two different guilloche zones. In the centre, a light flame pattern provides incredible life to the dial as the slightest wrist movement will animate the flames in graceful reflections. The second pattern, at the perimeter, takes the form of a regular and reassuring sunray that structures the whole design. While the Twenty-8-Eight Tourbillon, first released in 2010, took a major step forward as the calibre DW8028 was its first entirely home-made Tourbillon movement.

Romain Jerome launches exceptional new model

The new Steampunk model is born of a high-tension creative impulse and catalyses all the attributes of a devastating personality. Expressed through polished steel paws, pistons and Roman numerals, design becomes a powerful weapon of conviction in this no-holdsbarred model. The entirely dial-free Steampunk is housed within a 50 mm-diameter case providing unobstructed views of the sturdy, rigorously constructed mechanism that naturally commands respect and is held in place by four screwed-down pistons symbolising the RJ’s signature "X" motif.

The Gc-3 AquaSport: a strong statement of Techno-Fashion

The Gc-3 AquaSport is the first Gc watch to come with a water resistance of 300m/1000ft, it comes with a scratch resistant sapphire crystal, grooved unidirectional turning bezel and supported by its screw-in crown and screw-down case-back.  Sporting a striking 44mm diameter case with large SuperLuminova coated stamped indices and Arabic numbers on the dial, luminescent hands and a magnifying glass for the date at 3 o’clock, it offers optimal readability – on land and under water. The strikingly masculine silhouette of its watch case and its 3-dimensional matte black PVD-coated bezel with embossed polished steel numbers and indices create the distinguished style of the Gc-3 AquaSport. 

Zegna launches the Monterubello Watches

Zegna has recently launched The Monterubello Collection, a line which encapsulates the history of the family and expresses the passion of Zegna for its history and ancestors. The Monterubello Collection is manufactured by acclaimed Swiss watchmaker Girard-Perregaux, with whom Zegna has a long-standing relationship. The Monterubello Collection comprises two styles, Solo Tempo (in white or rose gold) and Chronograph (in rose gold). Inspired by forties’ designs, these timepieces are synonyms of contemporary everyday elegance.

Fendi unveils the newest generation of Crazy Carats

These newest pieces include a line of limited edition Crazy Carats in Fendi colors inspired by the Spring/Summer 2011 runway collection. This series features models with genuine crocodile straps in Fendi colors with coordinated colored dials and a soled 18-karat yellow built in a limited, numbered edition of just 50 pieces per color combination. Also new are several precious versions of Crazy Carats – all with pave diamond center dials. Each of the alluring Crazy Carats precious watches features a precious gemstone inner chapter ring, bezel and case set with either white diamonds, mysterious black diamonds, pink sapphires, blue sapphires, or rich red rubies in an exclusive Fendi design.

Edox introduces Miss Geico Five-Time World Champion Celebration Chronograph

To celebrate their winning partnership, Edox is introducing a special limited edition commemorative offshore Sport Watch. According to Gevril Group's owner and President Samuel Friedman, this exclusive Miss Geico five-time world champion celebration chronograph will be produced in a very limited edition of only 113 pieces, celebrating the famous 113 on Miss Geico’s Mystic boat. This exclusive limited edition watch represents an extraordinary opportunity for both Edox dealers and their customers to experience the thrill of powerboat racing and the Edox way of winning.

Scacco Matto GMT3: The pockets watch of the 21st century

Alexandra Kosteniuk, Russian 12th World champion in chess and Pasquale Gangi, Italian creator, combine to give birth to a big premiere in watchmaking: Scacco Matto GMT 3, an art object which is at the same time a pocket watch GMT 3 Time Zone and a system of timing of games of chess. Strong in this conviction, both associates manage to surprise us with their unpublished concept, based on a mechanical movement with manual, double barrillet reassembly: a pocket watch GMT3 with three time zones, adjustable retrogressive date by a mono-tappet and indication of the reservation of walk (120 hours), linked to a system of timing of games of chess, patented.

GOLDVISH launches the First Luxury Dual SIM mobile phone

After the ‘Le Million’, the ‘Illusion’ and the ‘Revolution’, GOLDVISH proudly presents the new ‘Equilibrium’ collection. The GOLDVISH Equilibrium provides the convenience of having one or two SIM cards in active mode. This enables the user to be reached on one or two numbers at the same time. It is the ideal tool to create balance between private and business communication, without having to carry two phones. The GOLDVISH Equilibrium is handcrafted in the heart of Switzerland and consists of durable and exclusive materials, such as 316L Stainless Steel, Titanium, space grade Aluminum, the finest leather, 18K Gold and Platinum.

Exhibitions & Events

Rapaport International Diamond Conference 2011

Each year, Rapaport hosts a premier International Diamond Conference to address the most pressing topics facing members of the diamond and jewelry trade. This year the conference will be held on September 12, 2011 at the Times Center in New York. The conference features a highly anticipated presentation by Martin Rapaport along with the latest economic and industry analysis delivered by the most respected experts in their fields. The morning session, "The Market for Luxury Jewelry" features powerful speakers and innovative ideas while the afternoon session, "Diamonds and Social Responsibility – Real Solutions to Real Problems" will address some of the most pressing issues facing our industry.

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