Market Report

TAG Heuer and Zenith join forces to create the LVMH School of Watchmaking

TAG Heuer and Zenith partnership with the LVMH Institut des Métiers d’Excellence, to create the LVMH School of Watchmaking. Under the leadership of Jean-Claude Biver, President of the LVMH Group Watch Division, and Chantal Gaemperle, Director of Human Resources and Synergies and a member of LVMH Group executive committee, The LVMH School of Watchmaking launches an original training concept. TAG Heuer, Zenith and the LVMH Institut des Métiers d’Excellence organizes a tour of the School, with a presentation of this unique concept officially marking the inauguration of this new school and its young apprentices.

Market News

Swiss Watch Exports fall by 5.6% in November with more declines in the Middle East region

The decline of Swiss watch exports reported for almost two years softened in November, in particular because there was one more working day than in 2015. Global exports fell 5.6%to $1.8 billion, registering the second smallest drop of the year. Shipments to Hong Kong slipped 0.7% to $241.8 million. One of the reasons for the narrower decline was the fact that November had one more working day than last year, the Federation of the Swiss Watch Industry explained.

The MiddleEast Markets registered a down trendwith UAE down 3.7 percent, Saudi Arabia was down by 19.1%, Kuwait scored40.45 increase and Qatar declined by 38.5%.

The UnitedStates recorded one of its worst results of the year after March. The UnitedKingdom remained one of the few positive markets in Europe. 

Swatch group to make car batteries to compete with Tesla

Swatch Group ismoving ahead with its plans to develop and sell high-tech batteries forelectric vehicles. Starting back in 2015, Swatch Group CEO Nick Hayek starteddropping hints in interviews that he was taking the company in a new direction, its Renata battery company and Belenos Clean Power were working on anew chemistry for electric vehicle batteries that would have major businessimplications. 

Jean-Claude Biver becomes Interim CEO of Zenith Watches as Magada Departs

Earlier thisweek, Zenith has officially announced that Jean-Claude Biver, Head ofWatchmaking at LVMH, is taking over the role of CEO of Zenith from Aldo Magada.Mr. Biver is well known in the industry for his greatest success story inbuilding Blancpain from scratch and turned it into a key player in the luxurywatch segment. 

Company News

Bulgari launches their new jewelry and watch collections in partnership with Ahmed Seddiqi & Sons

Bulgari MiddleEast announces its new partnership with Ahmed Seddiqi & Sons as they launchtheir latest jewelry and watch collections. 

Serpenti Incantati gives a new lease on life to this animalsymbol. After coiling around the wrist, the snake is now reinvented by wrappingitself for the very first time around the case of a round watch: the reptileliterally twines itself around the watch dial, admirably framing an entirelyskeleton. 

BOVET 1822 supports the Artists for Peace and Justice at New York Event

BOVET 1822 supports Artists for Peace and Justice, celebratesthe season at New York Event. Paul Haggis, Adrian Grenier, Chris McDonald andfriends gather to hear Alan Cumming sing Christmas Carols and Sappy Songs inSupport of Artists for Peace and Justice (APJ). The festive occasionmarked  the  closeof  a  highlysuccessful  fundraising  year. 

Chopard presents Happy Diamond Joaillerie for Valentine’s Day

For Valentine’s Day, Chopard turns the spotlight on one of its flagshiplines, Happy Hearts. This romantic variation on the Happy Diamonds theme,combining spinning diamonds and hearts, is enriched with rings and alsowelcomes bracelets with new materials. Framed by an 18-carat white gold case,the shimmering white textured mother-of-pearl dial of the Happy DiamondsJoaillerie model draws all eyes to the joyfully spinning five diamonds and fivetiny ruby hearts that are a true Chopard signature. 

Cartier’s new love bracelet

The latest version by Cartier is delicate, butotherwise alike in every way with its wrist-hugging oval shape emphaticallypunctuated with screws. A show of strength, a state of mind, and a symbol ofcommitment to romance. Wear it to signify the love that it embodies and joinstogether. 

GJEPC announces India elected as Vice Chair of Kimberly Process Certificate Scheme for 2018

India has been elected as the vice chair for 2018and chair for 2019 of the Kimberly Process Certificate Scheme (KPCS). Thedecision in the regard was taken at the recently held KP Plenary meeting inDubai. It was announced by the Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council(GJEPC).

H. Moser & Cie. presents Endeavour Dual Time Concept

Endeavour Dual Time Concept limitededitions case is in platinum model, are conceived in the pure design of the H.Moser & Cie. Concept Series. The dial is sky-blue fume with sun patternground finish, red hand for second time zone. Hand-stitched beige kudu leatherstrap, 950 platinum folding clasp, engraved with the H. Moser logo. 

Product Launch

TAG Heuer’s Connected Smartwatch in Rose Gold

TAGHeuer releases a smartwatch with a classic design, made not just from modernmaterials such as titanium, but also a precious metal very familiar to themanufacture: rose gold. It also features 4GB of memory and a latest-generationlithium battery providing an entire day of autonomy, the TAG Heuer Connected isfitted with a small microphone enabling the wearer to communicate with it usingGoogle Voice control, as well as a sapphire crystal touchscreen, to be usedalongside the command push button at 3 o'clock. 

Carl F. Bucherer presents Manero Tourbillon Limited Edition 2016

CarlF. Bucherer introduces the new Limited Edition for 2016 with an 18 karat whitegold case for the first time, accented with gold toned hands and indexes incontrast to a deep black dial. The dynamic motion of the tourbillon takescenter stage on the dial. A hand-stitched black Louisiana alligator leatherstrap with white gold clasp completes the harmonious composition of the ManeroTourbillon Limited Edition 2016. 

Van Cleef & Arpels presents Rose de Noël collection

Van Cleef & Arpels is paying homage toits Rose de Noël ™ collection – created in 1970 – with new creations incarnelian, onyx and lapis lazuli. The new models give pride of place to threematerials: deep black onyx, orangey-red carnelian and dazzling lapis lazuli ofan intense blue. On each piece, six rounded petals spread out asymmetrically,in a play of varying sizes, angles and heights. 

Panerai unveils Luminor 1950 Equation of Time 8 Days GMT Titanio – 47mm

Panerai’s newLuminor 1950 Equation of Time 8 Days GMT dial is in Metallic blue withalligator strap. The dials have the sandwich structure with a sophisticatedsunbrushed finish. A hand-wound caliber with power reserve of eight days. 

Aerowatch presents Sensual Collection

The new Sensual ladies' collection withthe subtle tea-leaf decor is polishedstainless  steel  caseof  the  Sensualis  fitted  with twoloop-style  lugs throughwhich  the  suppleone-piece  leather  strapis  slipped.  Its white mother-of-pearl dial is decoratedwith a spangled green-tea motif (Camellia Sinensis), and accented with adiamond at 12 o'clock. The easily interchangeable monochrome strap, availablein different colors, it comes in steel, bicolor, and rose or yellow PVD-coatedsteel versions.

Richard Mille reveals RM 037 featuring gem-set NTPT carbon

NTPT carbon is a signature feature of theRichard Mille men’s collection. This material reveals its feminine side in theRM 037. At the slightest wrist movement, all eyes are riveted by a strikingcontrast between the sparkle of clear diamonds and the matt carbon contour thatadorn automatic timepiece.  Hand-polishedprongs in red or white gold are produced separately and then inserted aroundthe many 0.25mm bearings destined to firmly contain as many as 250 diamonds inthe case of an RM 037 Full Set model.  

Bremont introduces the ‘Limited Edition Bremont DH-88’ chronometer

The Limited Edition Bremont DH-88Chronometer in rose gold variations feature a Calibre 13 1/4" BE-54AEautomatic movement with 42 hour power reserve, Bremont DH-88 Limited Editionrotor features some of the spruce plywood. Rose gold case Bremont Trip-Tick®case construction with scratch-resistant DLC treated case barrel with vintagestyle crowns. Metal dial with fine opalin matt black base colour decorated withperiod Arabic numerals, opaline silver white sub-dials with DH-88 designation.Alligator strap with pin buckle to complement case material. 

Celebrity News

Rihanna shines in Chopard Jewelry at the Footwear News Achievement Awards in New York

Rihanna wears a necklace featuringheart-shaped diamonds, pear-shaped diamonds, and diamonds set in white gold,earrings featuring octagonal step-cut emerald, marquise-cut diamonds, anddiamonds set in  white gold, and a singlestud featuring round brilliant-cut diamond and diamonds set in white gold allfrom the “High Jewelry Collection.”

Natalie Portman shines in Van Cleef & Arpels at Los Angeles, California

Natalie Portman wears Palmyre earrings inwhite gold and diamonds and Snowflake ring in platinum and diamonds for the L.A.Dance Project's Annual Gala at The Theatre at Ace Hotel in Los Angeles,California.

Lily Aldridge dazzles in Bulgari at 39th Annual Kennedy Center Honors at United States

Bulgari brand campaign ambassador, LilyAldridge, attends the star-studded 39th Annual Kennedy Center Honors, held atthe Kennedy Center Opera House, dazzling ina pair of Divas’ Dream earrings and two B.Zero1 bangles in white goldset with pavé diamonds. 

LaTanya Richardson wears de GRISOGONO at the 13th Dubai International Film Festival

LaTanya Richardson actress producer andwife of American Actor Samuel L. Jackson sparkles on the red carpet in a pairof one of a kind de GRISOGONO High Jewelry earrings. She wore High Jewelryearrings in white gold set with two pear-cut white diamonds, blue sapphire,emeralds, diamonds and rubies. 

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