Swiss Watch Industry

FEATURE

On the Cusp: A Brief History of the Zenith El Primero

Zenith’s El Primero automatic chronograph caliber — unveiled to the world 50 years ago this year, in 1969 — is regarded as one of the world’s best and most accurate movements. In this historical feature from the WatchTime archives, contributor Thomas Gronenthal takes a look at its development.

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Jul 17, 2022 by WatchTime

Sponsored: Turn Your Watch Collection into a Revolving Line of Credit

Quickly gaining access to capital can be a critical step in securing fast-moving opportunities and solving circumstantial problems. Luxury watches are a valuable asset for many collectors, though most financial institutions don’t accept them as loan collateral. The ability to gain access to the equity stored in these watches without selling them is a largely...

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Aug 18, 2022 by WatchTime

Jean-Claude Biver Joins Norqain’s Board of Directors as Advisor

Norqain, the young Swiss brand that was founded in 2018, announced a collaboration with Jean-Claude Biver. One of the most influential and respected experts of the industry, he has has brought success to every luxury watch brand he has been involved with. And it’s been many, from Blancpain and Omega to Hublot and TAG Heuer....

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Jun 8, 2022 by Sabine Zwettler

CEO Sascha Moeri Leaves Carl F. Bucherer

After 12 successful years as the CEO of Carl F. Bucherer and two years as the general manager of Bucherer Fine Jewellery, Sascha Moeri has decided to leave the company on June 30, 2022, to pursue new professional challenges. “We deeply regret Sascha Moeri’s decision. He has decisively shaped the positive development of the Carl F....

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Jun 7, 2022 by Sabine Zwettler

Sponsored: The Re-Edition of the First G-Shock Gets a New Color Variant

Unlike the MRG-B5000B, which was closely based on the first-generation model and whose dial used the key G-Shock color of red, the defining tone of the new MRG-B5000BA is blue. The concept behind the design is the “ao-zumi” (blue ink) used in Japanese calligraphy. The deep blue creates a mood of peace and serenity quite...

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Aug 15, 2022 by WatchTime

Green Rambles: Being Sustainable Ain’t Easy

The environment is a hot topic. Quite literally, as life for us will become far less sustainable as the earth is heating up. It will make the oceans rise, the weather far more unpredictable and volatile, accelerates desertification, and the list goes on. To turn the tide, a change is needed, fast and quite radical....

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May 30, 2022 by Martin Green

Running On Air: The History of the Jaeger-LeCoultre Atmos Clock

Jaeger-LeCoultre’s Atmos clocks, whose ingenious, near-perpetual mechanical movements are driven by air temperature changes, have been pushing the boundaries of horology and design since the 1930s. We explore their fascinating history and avant-garde evolution in this feature from the WatchTime archives. Before wristwatches came pocketwatches, and before pocketwatches came clocks. All the venerable watchmaking maisons...

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Jan 31, 2022 by Mark Bernardo

TAG Heuer Celebrates 60 Years of the Autavia with Three New Watches

Since its relaunch in 1962 as a wrist-worn chronograph, following its initial introduction in 1933 as a cockpit instrument for automobiles and aircraft, the Autavia has played a crucial role in the success and prominence of the Heuer — now TAG Heuer— brand. While lesser known than the iconic Carrera and likely less recognizable than...

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Jan 19, 2022 by Caleb Anderson

Gaining Steam: Hands-On with the Mondaine evo2 SBB Automatic

Since August 2021, Mondaine has been offering a mechanical version in its evo watch collection, using the unmistakable design of the famous “Official Swiss Railways Clock.” We took the evo2 SBB Automatic on a quick train ride. Like any railway company, the 1902-founded Swiss Federal Railways (often referred to by the initials of its German,...

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Dec 18, 2021 by Roger Ruegger

The WatchTime Q&A: An Interview with Greubel Forsey CEO Antonio Calce

In December 2020, Antonio Calce was appointed as CEO of Greubel Forsey. The industry veteran and trained engineer has previously worked for Piaget and Panerai, has headed Corum, and was CEO of Kering-owned Sowind Group, which comprises Girard-Perregaux and the JeanRichard brand. WatchTime sat down with Calce to talk about his vision for the ultra-exclusive Swiss...

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Dec 9, 2021 by Roger Ruegger

New Watch Reveals, Celebrity Sightings, and In-Person Reunions: WatchTime New York Wraps Up its 2021 Edition in Grand Fashion

WatchTime New York 2021 wrapped up this Sunday following three days of new wristwatch presentations, talks, and warm reunions as the global watch community gathered for the first live, in-person WatchTime New York event since 2019. The triumphant comeback also marked a notable expansion for the major event, widely regarded as America’s most important public...

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Oct 26, 2021 by WatchTime

The WatchTime Q&A: Tissot CEO Sylvain Dolla on T-Touch, Seastar, the NBA and More

Sylvain Dolla took over as CEO of Tissot last summer, after nine years running Hamilton, another member of the Swatch Group. According to the parent company, Tissot is currently “exporting more than four million watches every year.” Recently, WatchTime was able to talk with Dolla about his goals, the U.S. and what’s next for the...

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Aug 14, 2021 by Roger Ruegger

It’s Official: WatchTime New York Returns to Gotham Hall in October

With the world, and the watch industry, finally beginning to emerge from a year-plus period of pandemic-driven lockdowns, business closures, and gathering restrictions, WatchTime is proud to announce that its popular autumn collectors’ extravaganza, WatchTime New York, will return this year as a live, in-person event after being removed from the calendar in favor of...

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Jul 1, 2021 by WatchTime

Bucherer USA President Ira Melnitsky on Re-Opening Plans, New Logo for Re-Branded Time Machine Stores

Switzerland-based Bucherer, Europe’s leading retailer for watches and jewelry, announced the acquisition of Tourneau LLC, the largest luxury watch seller in the United States, back in January 2018. Since then, the watch industry and those who follow and cover it have anxiously awaited what this merger of timepiece titans will mean for both companies and...

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Jun 28, 2021 by Mark Bernardo

Vacheron Constantin & WatchTime Pop the Champagne At NYC Flagship Opening Event

Last week, Vacheron Constantin welcomed WatchTime Magazine and its readers to one the first viewings at its new New York City flagship boutique. The event was hosted by Vacheron Constantin President of the Americas Alexander Schmiedt, and included a cocktail hour followed by a presentation and discussion between Schmiedt and WatchTime’s Senior Editor, Mark Bernardo....

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Jun 28, 2021 by Caleb Anderson

Sponsored: How Chrono24 Elevated the Status of Online Secondhand Watch Buying

Have you noticed that the watch collecting community is rarely whispering about the so-called “gray market” these days, and has instead become deeply engaged with discovering valuable pre-owned watches, hunting down prized “unicorn” timepieces, and embracing the thrill of side-stepping the impossible wait lists for certain new models? Chrono24 has not only been at the...

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Jun 23, 2021 by WatchTime

Highlights from WatchTime’s May-June 2021 Issue, On Sale Now

The May-June issue of WatchTime is available at retailers (and in our online store) today. Among the highlights of the issue are our cover feature showcasing the new IWC Big Pilot’s Watch 43, an in-depth review of the first Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch equipped with the revived Caliber 321, a comprehensive analysis of how the COVID-19...

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May 12, 2021 by WatchTime

TimeOut With WatchTime Returns This Thursday, March 18!

This coming Thursday, March 18, at 12:00 PM EST, WatchTime hosts the third in our series of “TimeOut” virtual presentations, presented on Zoom, in which WatchTime editors and contributors discuss, debate, and shed light on all subjects related to watches and the watch industry. In the upcoming session, WatchTime Editor-in-Chief Roger Ruegger and Senior Editor...

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Mar 15, 2021 by WatchTime

Breitling Launches #BreitlingSelect, a New Mono-brand Watch Subscription Program

On March 9, Swiss watchmaker Breitling unveiled its latest initiative in the new #BreitlingSelect program, a mono-brand watch subscription service. The program, which according to Breitling is the first subscription service to be offered by a singular independent brand, is the company’s latest effort towards expanding its reach to a larger audience, after its previous...

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Mar 15, 2021 by Caleb Anderson

The WatchTime Q&A: Parmigiani Fleurier Founder Michel Parmigiani

Master watchmaker Michel Parmigiani, founder of Parmigiani Fleurier, turned 70 in 2020, and the eponymous maison he founded in 1996 is commemorating this milestone birthday with the Toric Heritage, a limited-edition timepiece that takes its design cues, appropriately, from the first wristwatch that he ever designed. We spoke with Parmigiani about his trailblazing career in...

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Jan 29, 2021 by Mark Bernardo

Sponsored: 5 Reasons to Secure Your Watch Collection with HODINKEE Insurance

Launched in late 2020, HODINKEE Insurance is designed to take the complexity out of insuring a watch collection — streamlining the process, eliminating paperwork, and providing peace of mind. That peace comes from knowing your watches are fully protected by two of the most trusted names in their respective industries — leading watch media and...

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Jan 29, 2021 by WatchTime

The WatchTime Q&A: Chrono24 Founder and Co-CEO Tim Stracke

Despite the unprecedented challenges posed by the global pandemic, leading online luxury-watch marketplace Chrono24 achieved a wildly successful year in 2020, generating a 25 percent increase in volume and $2.4 billion in transactions. How did the company, which offers a platform for watch dealers, private sellers, and enthusiasts in more than 100 countries, pull off...

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Jan 15, 2021 by Mark Bernardo

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