Swiss Luxury Watches Article From WSJ

[TRM]

This is not the entire article.

Luxury Swiss watches have turned back the clock, raking in sales revenue in the first half of 2018 that hasn’t been seen in years. According to NPD Group, a market research company with a watch retail tracking service, U.S. sales for watches ranging in price from US$5,000 to US$10,000 are up 14%, while sales for watches priced above US$10,000 are up 16% year-to-date.

“The market is super strong,” Reg Brack, an executive director and industry analyst for NPD Group, told Penta. Watches at such high price-points now make up 50% of the luxury watch market share, according to Brack.

NPD also reported that the accelerated growth was almost exclusively for Rolex and Patek Phillipe, which together now hold 70% of the U.S. market share for watches priced at US$10,000 and up. “Rolex and Patek are doing so well; there’s a huge shortage,” Brack says.

[101031-28]

Very interesting and full on in line with the current situation. Thank you for sharing.

[kauffee]

Wait, how am I supposed to square this story with all of the conspiracy theories I’ve been reading on here for the last year? You mean to tell me that the reason it’s hard to find Rolex watches is simply that a ton more people are trying to buy Rolex watches?!?!? That’s just crazy. I’m taking my tin foil hat and going to bed.

[Kostas]

Wasn’t there a WSJ article in March - “Is Time Running Out for the Swiss Watch Industry?”

[oldman2005]

The link to the article, enjoy:

https://www.barrons.com/articles/swi...sia-1532631092

[uniqueMR]

[Fleetlord]

Originally Posted by TRM

This is not the entire article.

Luxury Swiss watches have turned back the clock, raking in sales revenue in the first half of 2018 that hasn’t been seen in years. According to NPD Group, a market research company with a watch retail tracking service, U.S. sales for watches ranging in price from US$5,000 to US$10,000 are up 14%, while sales for watches priced above US$10,000 are up 16% year-to-date.

“The market is super strong,” Reg Brack, an executive director and industry analyst for NPD Group, told Penta. Watches at such high price-points now make up 50% of the luxury watch market share, according to Brack.

NPD also reported that the accelerated growth was almost exclusively for Rolex and Patek Phillipe, which together now hold 70% of the U.S. market share for watches priced at US$10,000 and up. “Rolex and Patek are doing so well; there’s a huge shortage,” Brack says.

I don't consider the "market" to be super strong or anywhere near that.

Rolex, Patek and some AP are driving this.

All have limited their distribution.

The other brands? I think some are in real trouble.

[RedwinGV]

Originally Posted by Fleetlord

I don't consider the "market" to be super strong or anywhere near that.

Rolex, Patek and some AP are driving this.

All have limited their distribution.

The other brands? I think some are in real trouble.

Maybe, but Swatch appears to be fine:

The Swatch Group—which owns watch brands including Harry Winston, Omega, and Blancpain—reported its “best first semester sales in the history of the group," a 66.5% jump in net income to CHF 468 million (US$468 million).

[emersm]

Originally Posted by kauffee

Wait, how am I supposed to square this story with all of the conspiracy theories I’ve been reading on here for the last year? You mean to tell me that the reason it’s hard to find Rolex watches is simply that a ton more people are trying to buy Rolex watches?!?!? That’s just crazy. I’m taking my tin foil hat and going to bed.