Swiss watchmaking in February 2015 Results adversely affected by Hong Kong; Faberge´ unveils the Faberge´ Pearl Egg at Baselworld; Rolex reveals calibre 3255: A new generation mechanical movement

Market News

Swiss watchmaking in February 2015 Results adversely affected by Hong Kong

According to the Swiss Watch Federation recent report, the Swiss watch industry exports showed a moderate downturn in February. At 1.7 billion francs, their monthly result contracted by 2.0% against 2014. This development partially offset the rise posted in January, but the trend for the first two months of the year remained favourable at +1.0%.

The fall in value was largely due to watches in precious metals of which the number of pieces fell. Timepieces in steel also lost ground in terms of both volume and value. The category of other metals saw a very strong advance in the number of pieces, largely offsetting other falls, in particular of steel watches.

Watches priced at less than 200 francs (export price) were the only category to report an increase in February with the number of pieces 6.2% higher. Above 200 francs, the trend proved negative with roughly -4% in terms of both value and the number of pieces.

Swiss watch exports to Hong Kong showed the steepest fall in two years (-21.8%), with a considerable impact on the overall result while the trend of most other markets was more favourable. The result for the United States rose by 7.5% closely followed by China (+7.0%), confirming its January growth figure. In Europe, Italy (+17.6%) and the United Kingdom (+54.2%) reported particularly sustained growth while the continent as a whole exceeded its 2014 level by 9.4%. Following a very positive year, Japan suffered an unfavourable base effect with a steep fall (-15.4%) for the second month in a row.

Product Launch

Faberge´ unveils the Faberge´ Pearl Egg at Baselworld

Fabergé, the world’s most iconic artist jeweller, revives its revered tradition of creating the most precious and coveted of objets d’art, by unveiling the Fabergé Pearl Egg at Baselworld – the first egg created in the ‘Imperial Class’ for nearly a century where the Fabergé name and the Fabergé family have been united. Fabergé announced the buyer of the Pearl Egg as Mr Hussain Al-Fardan, Chairman of the Alfardan Group and founding Director of Investcorp, and also one of the most renowned natural pearl collectors in the world. The Al- Fardan family of Qatar is one of the oldest and most successful traditional pearl merchants in the Gulf. Born in 1933, Hussain Ibrahim Al-Fardan perpetuated the family legacy, and opened Alfardan Jewellery in Doha in 1954, now the exclusive retailer for Fabergé in Qatar. The Pearl Egg is exclusively on show at the Fabergé booth in Baselworld until 26th March 2015 before it returns to its new owner in Doha.

Rolex introduces calibre 3255: A new generation mechanical movement

Rolex introduced calibre 3255, a new-generation mechanical movement with 14 patents, which sets new standards of performance for the core characteristics of a watch movement: precision, power reserve, reliability, resistance to shocks and magnetism, as well as the ease and convenience of its adjustment.

Calibre 3255’s criteria for precision in everyday wear are twice as exacting as those for an officially certified chronometer. It incorporates the new Chronergy escapement patented by Rolex, which combines high energy efficiency with great dependability. Made of nickel phosphorus, it is also insensitive to magnetic interference. The oscillator, the true heart of the watch, has an optimized blue Parachrom hairspring, which is also up to 10 times more precise than a traditional hairspring in case of shocks. Thanks to new barrel architecture and the escapement’s superior efficiency, the power reserve of calibre 3255 extends to three days.

Rolex supported the new generation of its most prestigious model, the Oyster Perpetual Day-Date, featuring a modernized design with a 40 mm case with is new mechanical movement, calibre 3255.The new Day-Date redefines the status of Superlative Chronometer, established by Rolex in the late 1950s, with criteria for accuracy on the wrist that are twice as exacting as those for an officially certified chronometer.

Patek Philippe presents Split-Seconds Chronograph Ref. 5370

As a mechanism that measures intermediate times while continuing to time an ongoing interval, the split-seconds chronograph has long been, for collectors, one of the most coveted among Patek Philippe's specialities. The new Ref. 5370 marks the debut of the CHR 29-535 PS calibre in its purest form, with no additional complications. It also introduces a "double time" device, namely two pushers for the basic chronograph functions and a pusher in the crown to start and stop the split-seconds hand. While celebrating tradition with its architecture, manual winding, two column wheels and horizontal clutch, this is very much a chronograph for the twenty-first century, thanks to the many patented optimisations. The sumptuous black enamel dial promises perfect legibility, enhanced by the platinum case. The prestigious Patek Philippe Seal crowns the whole.

Dior VIII Grand Bal Pièce Unique Models

The Dior VIII Grand Bal Pièce Unique models equipped with the Dior Inverted Calibre place the functional oscillating weight of the automatic movement on top of the dial. The Grand Bal Pièce Unique versions evoke in majesty the swirl of a ball gown.

"A ball gown must be the one of your dreams, and must also make you a dream-like creature. In my opinion, it is just as important as a suit in a woman’s wardrobe. And so wonderful for morale..." said Christian Dior.

As a result, in addition to the daytime and cocktail designs, the Dior VIII wardrobe also features evening designs with the "Dior Inversé" calibre, where the functional oscillating weight on the dial is reminiscent of the swirling of a ball gown. The case is 36 mm in white or yellow gold with pink and yellow sapphires and mother-of-pearl. The one unique piece is supported with an automatic movement "Dior Inversé 11 1/2" caliber.

de Grisogono unveils Instrumento N°Uno Annual Calendar

Baselworld 2015 celebrated the 15th anniversary of the launch of the first watch collection by de Grisogono. On this occasion, the Geneva-based watch company will unveil a constellation of new releases and among these, the Instrumento N°Uno Annual Calendar. The timepiece conserves the traits and outline of the Instrumento collection but features a newly designed bracelet which is perfectly integrated with the rose gold case and results in a very masculine, sporty look. The black diamond set on the crown brings a touch of elegance to the timepiece.

The annual calendar gets its name from its ability to run for an entire year without adjustment, except at the end of February. It is powered by the self-winding calibre QA 20-89, offering 42 hours of power reserve and beating at 28,800 vph. With its streamlined design, the dial - available in black or old silver - has been completely updated in order to free up as much space as possible to give pride of place to the month and small second counters.

The arabesques of the numbers 5, 6, 7 have been removed and the day display at 12 o’clock has been enlarged for optimal readability.

Estelle by Champs Elysees

A new name in Swiss fine watchmaking, Champs Elysées, based in Neuchâtel, proposes delicately crafted, beautifully gem-set timepieces. Its Estelle watch takes inspiration from the world-famous Place de l’Etoile in Paris, giving the Champs Elysées name its full resonance. With its pavé dial, diamond-set bezel and yet more diamonds set on its case, Estelle comes draped in a total of 2.9 carats, composed exclusively of stones graded D and E for colour (with a very small proportion of F). This timepiece lends itself to every occasion and every wardrobe, and confers sophisticated, contemporary elegance on its wearer.

T-Touch Expert Solar by Tissot

The Tissot T-Touch Expert Solar follows a trail blazed by the first touch-sensitive, solar-powered watch. This new line incorporates even more advanced technology together with innovative details such as the compass rose on the bezel and the Super-LumiNova® arrow on the minute hand so that both time and direction can be easily read, including in the dark. The 20 touch-sensitive functions will unanimously prove their worth on a daily basis, while adventurers will appreciate the new leather strap with Velcro strip and an extension for wearing over climbing gear or to hang the watch from a rucksack when both hands need to be free.

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