First Watch: U.S. Presidents and Their Timepieces

JFK_Omega_150

With the presidential race between Barack Obama and Mitt Romney heating up, we felt it was the perfect time to share this feature on presidents and their watches from the WatchTime archives (December 2008). Click here to find out what brands graced the wrists and waistcoasts of our chief executives. … [Read more...]

WatchTime’s September-October Issue is On Sale Now!

WatchTime Sept-Oct 2012 Cover

WatchTime’s September-October issue is on newsstands now, with tests of Rolex's new Explorer II and Breitling Transocean, an in-depth technical report on the Cartier ID Two concept watch, brand profiles of Ball Watch and Hanhart, and more. Click here for highlights from the issue... … [Read more...]

Movado’s Newest Ambassador: Lily Collins

collins

Movado recently announced actress Lily Collins as their newest brand ambassador. She will be featured in their "Modern Ahead of its Time" advertising campaign shot by fashion photographer Carter Smith this fall. Collins made her film debut in 2010's "The Blind Side," and most recently starred as Snow White in "Mirror, Mirror." “I am so excited to partner with Movado and to be a part of the … [Read more...]

Talking Watches With New Alpina Brand Ambassador William Baldwin

Billy_Baldwin_150

Recently, the sporty Swiss watch brand Alpina announced that actor William Baldwin (Backdraft, The Squid and the Whale, TV's "Gossip Girl") will be the celebrity brand ambassador for its new line of Alpina Divers watches. The brand welcomed Baldwin in a gala press event at New York's Maritime Hotel in late June. At the event, WatchTime sat down with the actor — a fan and collector of fine … [Read more...]

The Latest FaceTime Photos

FaceTime_Butnik_560

Dear WatchTime readers, thank you very much for continuing to send us photos of yourselves wearing your favorite watches in all kinds of interesting places and situations! Here are some of the latest we've received. If you'd like to see yourself and your timepiece here, email us a high-res photo, along with a descriptive caption, to photo@watchtime.com. The best photos will also be selected for … [Read more...]

Million-Dollar Club: What Watch Brands Spent the Most on Advertising in 2011?

Rolex/Chanel/BellRoss/Omega graphic

If watch advertising is a barometer of the health of a market — and it is — then the U.S. watch market is bouncing back after the catastrophe of 2009. Spending on watch advertising in the United States jumped 16 percent in 2011 to $365.8 million, indicating that the watch market here is improving. … [Read more...]

2011: The Year in Review Quiz, Part II

This week it’s time for Part II of our 2011 Year in Review Quiz. Have you been taking notes? Celebrate the end of 2011 with this little quiz, where we present 12 questions about news stories from the past year. As always, the answers appear at the end. And remember, your term papers are due next week. Good luck! … [Read more...]

2011: The Year in Review Quiz, Part 1

It's December, and you know what that means. It's time to look back. Have you been paying attention for the past 12 months? You knew there would be a quiz, right? Say goodbye to 2011 with this little test the focuses on some of the most (and least) important stories of the year. As always, the answers appear at the end. Good luck! … [Read more...]

Watchspotting: Dial Details

They say the devil is in the details. In this quiz, the details may bedevil you. We'll show you cropped images focusing on aspects of 12 watch dials. Of course no brand names are shown. Can you identify these timepieces? Accept the challenge by clicking the link below. As always, the answers appear at the end. Good luck! … [Read more...]

2011 Digital IQ Index Finds Luxury Watch Brands Lagging

L2 bills itself as a think tank for digital innovation, and each year the group releases the Digital IQ Index which ranks the “digital competence” of 35 leading luxury watch and jewelry brands. The newest rankings are out, and to the surprise of few, watch brands do not fare well. Find out who is gifted and who is feeble inside. … [Read more...]

Marc Michel-Amadry Appointed Managing Director of Sotheby’s Switzerland

Marc Michel-Amadry has been named as managing director of Sotheby’s Switzerland. Mr Michel-Amadry will divide his time between Sotheby’s Zurich and Geneva. Sotheby's said the re-establishment of a pan-Swiss management structure reflects the growing importance of the company's business in Switzerland and will enhance its ability to provide client services. … [Read more...]

Movado Issues “Bold” Watch Commemorating Derek Jeter’s 3000th Hit

Movado has launched a special edition Bold watch to celebrate baseball superstar and Movado brand ambassador Derek Jeter's 3000th Major League hit on July 9. Jeter is the first Yankee to achieve this feat. The watch features an indigo blue metallic dial customized with Jeter's number 2 positioned prominently at 2 o'clock. … [Read more...]

Citizen Watch Company of America President Laurence Grunstein Retires

Citizen announced today that Citizen Watch Company of America, Inc. president Laurence Grunstein will retire effective April 15, 2011. Grunstein joined Citizen as USA president in 1985. He was also appointed President, Citizen Watch Company of Canada, Ltd. in 1993 and Managing Director and CEO, Citizen Watch United Kingdom, Ltd. in 2000. … [Read more...]

2010: The Year In Review Quiz, Part II

Once again we look at the biggest and smallest stories of the year. Were you paying attention? As always, the answers appear at the end. Good luck! … [Read more...]

2010: The Year in Review Quiz, Part I

Have you been following the news for the past 12 months? Say goodbye to 2010 with this quiz that focuses on some of the year’s most (and least) important stories. As always, the answers appear at the end. Good luck! … [Read more...]

Who are Switzerland’s Top Chronometer Producers?

Rolex, Omega and Breitling once again lead the list of Switzerland’s top producers of chronometer watches. Data recently released for 2009 by Switzerland’s official chronometer testing agency, COSC (Contrôle Officiel Suisse des Chronomètres), shows that the Big Three accounted for 78% of all chronometer certificates issued that year. (A watch is designated as a certified chronometer if its … [Read more...]

Movado Group Announces Results and Retail Boutique Closings

Movado Group, Inc. has announced its first quarter results. The company enjoyed top-line growth of 25%, though the bottom line did not fair as well, with an adjusted net loss of $4.8 million. The company also announced that it will close its retail boutique division effective June 30, 2010 in an effort to redirect investment toward higher return businesses. The move does not affect the company's … [Read more...]

The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly: Watch Company Financial Results for 2009

For the most part, the Great Recession of 2009 pretty much mugged corporate sales and profits. In the watch sector, for example, the Bulgari and Movado groups reported red ink for the year. But there were exceptions to the battered sales and profits syndrome. Fossil, for one, had its most profitable year ever. Here’s a survey of the full-year results of publicly traded firms who are watch … [Read more...]

Beyond Tiger: Watches, Celebs, and Scandal

If, in the wake of the Tiger Woods scandal, you were wondering about the status of his endorsement deal with TAG Heuer, you need only check the company’s Web site for the answer. As this is written, the TAG Heuer home page features a statement from brand CEO Jean-Christophe Babin that “The partnership with Tiger Woods will continue,” while acknowledging that the use of his image in certain … [Read more...]

A Boom for the Budget-Minded: Watches Under $1000

Times are tough. But, contrary to what you might think, a tight watch budget doesn’t mean taking a pass on a mechanical movement. With the fall selling season dawning, there’s a fresh crop of under-$1,000 mechanical watches now in stores or soon to be there: the biggest batch, at least it seems to us, since the mechanical revival began. … [Read more...]