NTTimes - It’s Simple: Fewer Watches, Higher Prices
“It’s very clear that the Swiss watch industry has been increasing average prices over the past 10 to 15 years and not the number of watches,” Raynald Aeschlimann, president and chief executive of Omega, said. “And let’s face the reality — this is a trend in the luxury business. And we are part of that business.”
Some industry executives are concerned about recent trends. “Everyone is growing, raising prices two or three times a year, but the exercise is very slippery,” said Davide Cerrato, chief executive of the British watch company Bremont. “It’s very easy to go above a psychological level and lose contact with your customer.”
Mr. Solca said similar patterns have been occurring across the luxury sector, particularly in high jewelry. “At the root cause of this is income and wealth inequality, exacerbated by rich consumers getting out of the pandemic with a sigh of relief and a willingness to spend — no matter what,” he wrote.
As long as quality remains high, the watch industry outlook is positive, Mr. Müller of LuxeConsult wrote. “The long-term analysis remains the same, with a strong polarization of the market with the same champion brands, such as Rolex, Audemars Piguet, Patek Philippe and Richard Mille. They are on an unabated path of growth.”
So, for now, value continues to be king.
Life is short, and it's up to you to make it sweet.
"Make hay while the sun shines" as they say...
Yeah, make fewer and raise the price. Ideally just stop production altogether and just charge for your existence.
The new AP Royal Oak Jumbo ConceptX-Clude. It is so exclusive that only three quarters of a watch were produced before its discontinuation 😤