Worldwide exports continue to decline in major markets including the Middle East; Apple discontinues 18k gold Luxury smartwatch; Gulf budget deficit likely to hit $153bn in 2016

Market News

Worldwide exports continue to decline in major markets including the Middle East

The value of watch industry exports was 8.8% lower than in August 2015 at a total of 1.4 billion francs.

The fall in value was explained almost entirely by watches made of precious metals. At the other extreme, steel timepieces reported growth as did the other materials category.

The value of watch exports was clearly influenced by pieces costing more than 3,000 francs (export price) which suffered a particularly steep decline. On the other hand, products priced between 200 and 3,000 francs posted significant growth. Timepieces costing less than 200 francs remained stable in value terms, although volumes were distinctly lower.

Hong Kong continued on the steep downward track observed for the past 18 months. The United States confirmed its poor July result after a period which had been more favourable. On the growth side, China performed strongly, benefiting in particular from a favourable base effect. The United Kingdom continued to profit from the positive effects of the vote on Brexit with strong growth. Germany reported a steep downturn for the fifth month in a row. Japan experienced a sudden and substantial worsening of its situation in the space of two months.

UAE and Kingdom of Saudi Arabia witnessed a double digit drop of -12% and -32% respectively. While Kuwait dropped by -6.4% and Qatar scored 68.1% growth.

Apple discontinues 18k gold Luxury smartwatch

Apple’s $17,000, 18k-gold smartwatch failed to make it to the company’s latest product range, signaling the technology giant has retreated from the luxury timepiece category. The Apple Watch Series 2, and it's now waterproof and features a GPS chip, available in lightweight aluminum, stainless steel cases or ceramic. As the 18-karat gold version is no longer available, the ceramic timepiece is now the most expensive in the collection, starting at $1,249.

Gulf budget deficit likely to hit $153bn in 2016

Gulf Arab oil exporters are expected to see their budget deficits peak this year owing to the plunge in energy revenues, recently said report. The combined deficit of the six Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states is forecast to hit $153bn in 2016, up from $119bn last year, Kuwait's investment firm KAMCO Research said. The GCC deficit will start easing from next year but the six nations are forecast to post an average annual shortfall of $100bn until 2021.

Company News

BOVET 1822 sponsors Artists for Peace and Justice Festival Fair

BOVET 1822 raises 1.25 million dollars in support of Artists for Peace and Justice (APJ) Festival Fair presented at the iconic Casa Loma in Toronto Canada. Co-chaired by Natasha Koifman and Suzanne Boyd, the event was co-hosted by an influential team who joined BOVET 1822 Owner Pascal Raffy including APJ Founder, Paul Haggis, Jeremy Renner, Jim Belushi, Catherine Keener, Maria Bello, Maxwell, Jimmy Jean Louis and George Stroumboulopoulos. The exceptional support of BOVET 1822, APJ is able to give 100 per cent of every dollar raised directly to supporting health, dignity, and education initiatives in Haiti.

Bulgari announces Lily Aldridge as its new Brand Campaign Ambassador

Bulgari recently introduces its new brand Campaign Ambassador 2016/2017, supermodel Lily Aldridge at a press conference at the Bulgari 5th Avenue store. Presented to the International Press by Daniel Paltridge, President of Bulgari North America and Stéphane Gerschel, Bulgari’s International Communications Director, Ms. Aldridge was received at a special ceremony arranged during New York’s Fashion Week.

Carl F. Bucherer launches campaign with Lisa Haydon

Carl F. Bucherer announces its brand new Ad campaign with the scintillating super model and actress Lisa Haydon, for India and Middle East. The campaign focusses on bringing out the beauty of each timepiece being derived from the brand’s unique terroir Lucerne. It celebrates the modern and classy personality of Lisa as well as the novelties presented at Basel 2016.

Chopard as official timing partner of Porsche Motorsport for the third year

Chopard started its third year as the official timing partner of the Porsche Motorsport and presents for the first time in the USA its new Superfast timepiece, the Superfast Chrono Porsche 919 Black Edition chronograph. Porche Motorsport team records a fifth victory at the WEC 6 hours of COTA 2016. At the sixth out of nine championship rounds, held in Austin, Texas, the reigning world champions, Timo Bernhard, Brendon Hartley and Mark Webber achieved their third victory in a row in tropical weather conditions.

The Hublot Design Prize 2016 goes to Christophe Guberan

Hublot celebrates the changing of the guard by recognizing the work of Christophe Guberan. The jury, presided by Pierre Keller, has granted a cheque of CHF 100,000 intended to support him in the realization of his work.

Officine Panerai partners up with Beirut Art Week 2016

Officine Panerai announces their participation for the 3rd consecutive year at Beirut Art Week 2016. In collaboration with Richard Orlinski, one of the bestselling contemporary French artist, Panerai is once again appealing to the region’s art enthusiasts by displaying two unique pieces from Orlinski’s outstanding “Born Wild” collection at its boutique in Beirut Souks.

Product Launch

Alpina introduces the new blue Alpina Horological Smartwatch

The new Alpina Horological Smartwatch is proposed in an elegant execution featuring a polished and brushed stainless steel 44 mm case combined to a classy navy sunray dial combined with a genuine brown-colored leather strap with red lining asides. The navy sunray dial with beige luminous indexes displays central hours and minute hands, the “smart” counter is positioned at 6 o’clock. The small red hand indicates the date during the activity tracking mode and will point out the moon during your sleep tracking mode.

ArtyA presents the new ArtyA Chrono Tourbillon Monopusher Full Engraved 1/1

The new ArtyA Chrono Tourbillon Monopusher Full Engraved is all of this at once and more besides. Right from the first glance, the aesthetic appearance of the watch is an attention-grabber, with a dizzying succession of circular shapes. The oval movement is housed in ArtyA’s masterworked case, entirely hand engraved with 24cts gold inlay, made by our favourite master engraver: Bram Ramon In its turn, the oval-shaped movement within the case holds the perfect circles of the chronograph and tourbillon counters.

BOVET revels the new 19Thirty Fleurier Gold Timepiece

The 19Thirty collection with its case a mere 9mm thick for a diameter of 42mm, its exemplary chronometry, its reliability and its autonomy of seven days make it an exceptional timepiece. The impact of the collection and the enthusiasm of collectors have inspired BOVET 1822 to manufacture the 19Thirty in a red gold case. It is available in three different dial colors black, blue and brown and are decorated with a noble sunray guilloche. The bracelet is full skin alligator, buckle is red gold ardillon.

deLaCour unveils the City Umbra timepiece

The chronograph gives rise to a subtle palette of magical colors, like that of a rainbow. Its originality is imposing and quirky. A colourful timepiece where all celestial shades meet in a spectrum of red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple and pink composition in exclusive colored sapphires. The bezel and dial are set with round diamonds that catch the light amplifying the Glamour. Hands is skeleton with luminescent coating, the strap is white rubber.

H. Moser & Cie presents the Swiss Alp Watch S

The Swiss Alp Watch S rectangular case with soft, rounded corners is topped by a crystal with curved edges, for a resolutely contemporary look. The classic dial reveals a deep, mysterious lustre in midnight blue fumé. This effect is further enhanced by the refined black alligator strap and by the form movement that drives it – the hand-wound HMC 324 calibre.

RJ-Romain Jerome presents new Skylab Speed Metal 48 Skulls

RJ-Romain Jerome launches new Skylab Speed Metal 48 Skulls with newly added satin-brushed internal bezel with sneering skulls acting as indexes. Painted in cold enamel, the red skulls indicate the hours like any vanity that keeps reminding us of time passing. The inclination of the internal bezel gives a certain perspective and leads the eyes towards the vital organ of the watch, the skeleton movement. A crocodile hornabck strap completes this exclusive model with red stitching.

Celebrity News

Fan Bingbing wears Chopard at the San Sebastián Film Festival

Chinese actress Fan Bingbing sparkles in a pair of earrings from the High Jewelry Collection featuring pear-shaped tanzanite and diamonds set in titanium and white gold ring from the High Jewelry Collection set with a brilliant-cut diamond.

Gemma Arterton wore Messika at Venice Film Festival Awards Ceremony

British actress Gemma Arterton wore Messika's Solena Maya earrings at Venice Film Festival Awards Ceremony, which were the perfect accompaniment to her philosophy di Lorenzo Serafini gown.

Victoria Beckham shines in Tiffany T at New York Fashion Week

Victoria Beckham wears the Tiffany T Hinged Wrap Bracelet at her label’s show during New York Fashion Week.

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