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Swiss watch exports almost return to equilibrium in November; Louis Moinet and Rebellion Timepieces joins the Fondation de la Haute Horlogerie
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Market News
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Swiss watch exports almost return to equilibrium in November
According to Federation of the Swiss Watch Industry FH, the decline in Swiss watch exports has gradually slowed over the last few months. They almost reached equilibrium during November, with a slight fall of 3.2%, compared with November 2019. This performance can be mainly explained by China’s return to strength, following a less dynamic October. Over 11 months, Switzerland has seen a 23.5% decline in its watch exports. As in the period from June to September, the less steep decline at the global level in November was mainly due to the very strong performance posted by China (+69.5%), following a temporary lull in October (though still with +15.1% growth). Over a third of the main direct markets for watch exports also saw an upswing, however, helping to soften the downward trend to some extent. Conversely, other key markets continued to see more or less sharp declines, including the United States (-2.8%), Hong Kong (-14.0% in spite of a highly favourable base effect), Germany (-1.1%), Singapore (-31.9%), the United Arab Emirates (-3.7%), Italy (-27.8%) and France (-29.0%). |
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Company News
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Louis Moinet and Rebellion Timepieces joins the Fondation de la Haute Horlogerie
Whether representing traditional or contemporary watchmaking, the Fondation de la Haute Horlogerie has announced the arrival of two new partner-brands: Louis Moinet and Rebellion Timepieces. In joining the Foundation, they show their support of its action to promote the culture of watchmaking through training, information and by showcasing watchmaking excellence worldwide. They bring to 43 the number of partner-brands whose contribution reinforces the Foundation’s missions to train, inform and organise events for the benefit of the watchmaking sector. |
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Roger Dubuis collaborates with Ayyam Gallery
In a world where exuberance rules and creativity reigns supreme, Serial Innovator, Roger Dubuis, known for pushing the boundaries of watchmaking, has extended the boldness of its flagship boutique in The Dubai Mall with a contemporary art exhibition by Sharjah based artist, Mouteea Murad. The result of a collaboration with leading international arts organization, Ayyam Gallery, the works of art by Murad draw inspiration from geometric forms that perfectly reflect elements of the luxury watchmaker’s avant-garde spirit, disruptive attitude and expressive singularity. Art works will be on display at the Roger Dubuis boutique, located on the ground floor of The Dubai Mall, a short walk from the Grand Atrium. |
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Greubel Forsey appoints Antonio Calce as Chief Executive Officer
Mr. Robert Greubel, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Greubel Forsey has announced the appointment, with immediate effect, of Mr. Antonio Calce as Chief Executive Officer of the company. Mr. Calce is an established figure in the watchmaking world. His education, professional background, and thirty years of experience in the sector have secured him several senior positions and general management roles at Haute Horlogerie brands in the past. With the appointment of Antonio Calce, Greubel Forsey is writing a new chapter in its history, opening up new perspectives and development opportunities as well as a strategic vision for the brand's future.
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Bremont announces new brand Ambassador
Bremont has announced Dubai’s top extreme athlete Marcus Smith as the latest Bremont ambassador. Marcus is a retired professional rugby player, successful entrepreneur as well as a highly sought-after motivational speaker. He is best recognized across the Middle East for completing 30 marathons in 30 days in Dubai. With Bremont’s tagline ‘Tested Beyond Endurance’ there is a natural synergy with the physical and mental stamina that Marcus endures with each of his challenges. Marcus joins an impressive line-up of Bremont brand ambassadors including England rugby star Tom Curry, British adventurer Ross Edgley, and Olympic gold medallist Alex Gregory MB. |
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Parmigiani Fleurier collaborates with Giorgio Armani
Parmigiani Fleurier has announced its collaboration with the Armani Group for the creation of the Giorgio Armani Fine Watches collection, which will be on sale from November 2021. The two institutions – one Italian and the other Swiss – come together for the first time to give life to a series of sophisticated timepieces crafted entirely by hand and offered in numbered editions: a testament to Giorgio Armani’s constant pursuit for exclusive luxury objects. The watches, designed by Giorgio Armani in collaboration with Michel Parmigiani, will be produced in Switzerland by Parmigiani Fleurier and sold exclusively in select Giorgio Armani boutiques. |
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Alpina partners with the Club des Sports in the ski resort of Val Thorens
Alpina has recently announced its new partnership with the Club des Sports in the French ski resort of Val Thorens, as official timekeeper for the 2020/2021 season. The highest ski resort in Europe, Val Thorens notably hosts the Ski Cross World Cup every year, a stage that Alpina was also associated with in 2020. Located in the Savoie, in the Vallée des Belleville in France, Val Thorens is not only the highest ski resort in Europe (2,300 metres) and the culminating point of the 3 Vallées ski region, it also forms part of the largest ski area in the world with 600 km of slopes. Nature lovers are sure to appreciate the breathtaking views, but sporty thrill seekers on the lookout for extreme challenges will not be disappointed by this vast playground, the peaks of Val Thorens offering something for everyone.
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Introducing ID Genève from the Swiss circular economy
Founded in Geneva in 2020, ID is a new watch brand where the production chain is entirely based on sustainable development and the integration of 98% recycled stainless steel. The use of this steel, which comes from the surplus produced by watchmaking companies in the Jura region, is a world first and has a considerably smaller carbon footprint than new steel. Local and traceable, this steel is used for the cases of our watches. The movements are also upcycled and completely reconditioned. Far from the standard Swiss-made label, the watches are mainly made in Switzerland with complete transparency on our suppliers. Equipped with three hands with date display at 3 o’clock, the first model CIRCULAR1 is available on wemakeit.com, a Swiss crowdfunding platform. |
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Product Launch
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Presenting the Excalibur Huracán STO by Roger Dubuis
Busting completely out of the customary horology boxes, of recent years, Roger Dubuis has drawn inspiration from cutting-edge industries sharing the same values. This has resulted in the birth of an iconic alliance: Lamborghini Squadra Corse. Several masterpieces further down the track, the latest fiery steed to exit the Geneva stable is the 88-piece limited edition Excalibur Huracán STO. As its name implies, this distinctive new timepiece takes design cues from the livery of the power-packed Lamborghini Huracán STO. The road-homologated super sports Huracán STO is itself inspired by the racing heritage of Lamborghini Squadra Corse’s one-make Huracán Super Trofeo EVO race series. It notably features rear-wheel drive and a V10 naturally-aspirated 640 hp engine, with the resulting acceleration and 310 km/h top speed ensuring an emotion-charged track experience on every outing. |
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Jaeger-LeCoultre celebrates the iconic Reverso’s 90th anniversary
As the Reverso approaches its 90th anniversary in 2021, Jaeger-LeCoultre reinterprets one of its most admired models. Issued in a limited edition, with a burgundy-red dial and pink gold case, the Reverso Tribute Duoface Fagliano pays tribute to a design of rare longevity. On the front dial, in keeping with the original Reverso design, the hours are marked by straight indexes, doubled at 12. Their faceted shape adds visual depth to the rich burgundy-red of the lacquered surface and echoes the form of the Dauphine hands. The circular track of the small seconds display at six o’clock provides a counterpoint to the linear geometry of the dial and case. The Reverso Tribute Duoface Fagliano is a limited edition of 190 pieces, boutique exclusivity. |
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Girard-Perregaux unveils the 1966 East to West
Girard-Perregaux has unveiled the 1966 East to West, in celebration of the 160th anniversary of its trading relationship with Japan, together with Darren Romanelli, the celebrated streetwear designer. Darren Romanelli, also known as DRx, is recognised for his love of Japan and Japanese culture making him the ideal collaborator for this important model, launched on the cusp of another landmark, the 230th anniversary of the Manufacture, in 2021. At the heart of the 1966 East to West is the in-house Manufacture movement, the Calibre GP03300-1513. A smoked sapphire crystal, adorned with a DRx decal, affords views of the movement. The timepiece, limited and numbered 18 pieces, is available in Girard-Perregaux official retailers across Japan from mid-December 2020. |
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The new EMC Stormtrooper by URWERK
The EMC White Ceramic aka Stormtrooper was an easy nickname to choose, from Martin and Felix’s love of sci-fi and in particular, Star Wars. The EMC Stormtrooper evokes the same characteristics. The whole watch looks like it belongs in a sci-fi movie, and for this limited edition the white ceramic case set it apart from the previous models, indeed all previous URWERK. The EMC TimeHunter “Stormtrooper” belongs to the UR-Chronometry family, which encompasses URWERK watchmaking concepts dedicated to outstanding precision. They indeed offer the unique possibility of measuring and adjusting the rate of their movement. Moreover, its stainless steel ‘hood’ is micro-beadblasted and then given a hard, matt ceramic lacquer-type treatment. As a result, the surface of the EMC TimeHunter “Stormtrooper” has a grainy finish reminiscent of military equipment. |
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Introducing TNT Royal Retro 43 Diablo by Pierre DeRoche
A marvel of originality, technicality and sportiness, the Pierre DeRoche TNT Royal Retro and the balletic dance of its six retrograde second hands have fascinated watch lovers for more than a decade. The latest incarnation of this unique complication, the TNT royal retro 43 diablo, pushes the limits of watchmaking expertise even further and reveals a fiery temperament. The lightness of the TNT Royal Retro 43 Diablo is lent gravitas by its powerful lines. Its exclusive complication is housed in a 43 mm steel and titanium case that affirms its technicality. The bezel is made from itr2, a hypoallergenic composite based on carbon nanoparticles that is six times lighter than steel and four times lighter than titanium. The DLC-coated black bridges contrast with the complication’s 5N gilded gear train and racks and the red hands. |
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Louis Vuitton presents Trunk Table Clock
Rather than just an accessory, a timepiece showcased in its tailor-made trunk. The table clock, made to the same high standards as a watch, reproduces the Tambour Moon Dual Time concave dial. Similarly, it features a double time-zone, essential for globetrotters, and a bright dial displaying coloured flags. These emblematic Louis Vuitton symbols call to mind the customised patterns of the trunks of bygone days. As for the 80 mm-diameter hemispheric steel case suspended in its trunk, it draws inspiration from 18th century navy chronometers – indispensable, high-precision tools for long-distance navigators, allowing them to calculate longitude. A counterweight makes this table clock automatically turn towards the person opening the trunk for the utmost visibility. Once extracted from its case, it will keep this orientation when placed on a table or desk. |
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Lagado unveils its first ever watch collection available online
Lagado Watches, a contemporary watch manufacturer, unveils its first-ever collection encapsulating decades of sophistication in a contemporary watch brand. Inspired by Italian finesse, enriched with passion for quality and fuelled by love for style, Lagado brings together a legacy of international craftsmanship with the finest materials. The announcement follows the company launching its operations from Dubai CommerCity (DCC), the first dedicated e-commerce free zone in the Middle East, North Africa and South Asia (MENASA) region. The collection currently includes Evolve 44mm, Tempo 41.5mm, and Tempo 33mm. These timepieces have been created to suit every lifestyle. All watches are available in a wide range of cases made of different materials equipped with reliable calibres. New designs are under conceptualization and will be launched soon. |
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Schwarz Etienne unveils FIJI Floral Seconds Joaillerie
Schwarz Etienne has unveiled the FIJI Floral Seconds Joaillerie. This new ladies’ model features an 18-carat rose gold case embellished with 512 diamonds. A further 236 diamonds grace the dial, bestowing a notable sense of glamour and luxury. Unlike many ladies' watches which are often scaled down versions of men's models, the FIJI collection was intended for feminine wrists from the outset. Indeed, it was designed by a woman for a woman. Its resultant appearance is feminine and notably glamorous. The dial is dressed in a sultry shade of black. Sinuous golden hands, lined with Super-LumiNova, express meaning with clear tone. At the centre of the dial, a bewitching sea of diamonds ensnares light and seduces onlookers. The black hour track is adorned with golden drop-shaped indexes, save for noon where Arabic numerals are employed. |
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Montegrappa presents the limited-edition WILD
The limited-edition WILD: Baobab is as symbolic as it is exotic. Created in collaboration with wildlife photographers, Uri and Helle Løvevild Golman, its silhouette, texture and colouring are inspired by Africa’s iconic Baobab trees. An Artic Snowy Owl feather pocket-clip is a personal and poignant symbol of love…a reminder to pursue one’s passions with strength and vigour. Each piece is accompanied by a rare set of postcards featuring images of elusive wildlife from seven continents. These creatures’ habitats are as fragile as our own: a premise that underpins the work of the National Geographic Explorers and Photographers. As Uri continues a long rehabilitation following a brutal 2017 knife attack, we are inspired by the Golmans’ determination to return to the wild. |
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Celebrity News
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Gal Gadot wears Tiffany & Co. at the premiere of Wonder Woman 1984
Leading actress Gal Gadot appeared in the DC FanDome in Tiffany & Co. jewellery for the Wonder Woman 1984 Virtual World Premiere, which streamed across all Warner Bros. and DC Comics channels. Gadot stunned in Tiffany T1 rings and Tiffany City HardWear earrings and necklaces in 18k gold alongside her co-stars Chris Pine, Kristen Wiig and Pedro Pascal. |
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