Mr Swithinbank wants to know the whole story behind the Rolex-led walk out of Baselworld and hopes the world will rally around a single mega fair next year.
SEARCH RESULTS
Posted inLEAD STORY, NEWS, OPINION
Watch industry secrecy is starting to do more harm than good
The interruption of charity auction Only Watch is, says Robin Swithinbank, an example of why in today’s absurdly secretive watch world, transparency is paramount.
Posted inFeatures, LEAD STORY, NEWS, OPINION
Is this the season for horology?
Robin Swithinbank urges us to get ready for a low-calorie Watch Easter – and to hope that the diet doesn’t last until Watch Christmas.
Posted inLEAD STORY, NEWS, OPINION
MoonSwatch or smartwatch? Which will we remember?
If you want to know what the watch world will look like in 30 years’ time, Robin Swithinbank suggests that you dust off your Britpop CDs and read on.
Posted inLEAD STORY, NEWS, OPINION
False promise of artificial intelligence in watch design
Robin Swithinbank urges watchmakers to swerve the hype of design by AI and stick to humanity’s indivisible relationship with time.
Posted inFEATURES, LEAD STORY, NEWS, OPINION
Unfollowing the crowd — the case for ditching influencers
Through a smattering of hurt pride, Robin Swithinbank asks: is it time to de-influence your influencer strategy?
Posted inFEATURES, LEAD STORY, NEWS, OPINION
No sex please, we’re Swiss
Given the formality and accustomed snobbery of the horological world, Robin Swithinbank asks the question: ‘Wouldn’t a little sex go a long way?’
Posted inFEATURES, LEAD STORY, NEWS, OPINION
Rolex wins landslide public vote
Sell-out public days at Watches and Wonders were a chance to see punters voting with their feet. Inevitably, as Robin Swithinbank witnessed, Rolex won by a mile.
Posted inLEAD STORY, NEWS, OPINION
Value up, volume down — how the Swiss watch industry is growing by shrinking
Swiss watch export values hit a record high last year, but Robin Swithinbank wonders whether the industry is really growing?
Posted inFEATURES, LEAD STORY, NEWS
Will the watch industry say I do to lab-grown diamonds?
As more watch brands embrace the alchemy of diamonds grown in a laboratory, Robin Swithinbank says the value and romance deficit in a man-made gemstone will have luxury buyers digging in the dirt.
Posted inFEATURES, LEAD STORY, OPINION
How important is the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève?
After his stint on the jury of this year’s Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève, Robin Swithinbank asks whether there is still a place in today’s watch industry for insider back-slapping.
Posted inFEATURES, LEAD STORY, NEWS
The case against the ancient art of watchmaking being used to promote watches today
In a consumer environment where popularity is the basis of everything, Robin Swithinbank declares that now is the time for the watch industry to stop peddling watchmaking.
Posted inFEATURES, LEAD STORY, NEWS
Rolex panic-selling should be good for the watch industry
No need for a post-crypto pre-owned panic. A healthy correction is just what the watch market needs. And now, according to Robin Swithinbank, is the time to keep calm and carry on.
Posted inFEATURES, LEAD STORY, NEWS
Is Switzerland’s future locked in the past?
There is a theory doing the rounds that Switzerland’s obsession with making modern versions of vintage watches is coming to an end. If there is any truth to the hypothesis, Robin Swithinbank is finding it very hard to see in practice.
Posted inFEATURES, LEAD STORY, NEWS, Others
The Patek Philippe Paradox
Patek is as respected as ever as a horological colossus, but is slipping down the league table by pure business performance. A paradox, Robin Swithinbank suggests, and wonders what it means for Switzerland’s most venerable watchmaker and its place in the evolving industry.
Posted inFEATURES, LEAD STORY, NEWS, Others
Will watch brands master the metaverse?
Robin Swithinbank attempts to make sense of the metaverse and what it means for the watch business.
Posted inLEAD STORY, NEWS, OPINION
Soaring prices for Rolex, Patek Philippe and Audemars Piguet are causing agony and ecstasy
Retailers are having to hire therapists to support staff facing a barrage of abuse from flippers and loyal customers desperate to get their hands on the latest unicorn timepieces. The agony might not stop there, Robin Swithinbank suggests. Even owners of these prized waiting list watches are facing emotional trauma as they live with the knowledge that a potential five-figure profit is whirring away in their winder.
Posted inFEATURES, LEAD STORY, NEWS, OPINION
Autumn watch auctions give false impression of healthy Swiss watch industry
Robin Swithinbank argues that tiny artisan independents are racing ahead of a stale Swiss watchmaking sector that is out-of-touch, irrelevant, not cool.
Posted inEXHIBITIONS, FEATURES, NEWS, OPINION
We’ll meet again … won’t we?
Robin Swithinbank investigates whether Swiss megafairs will ever again have the strength and stature to attract tens of thousands of visitors from around the world, or will more focused in-country events and digital showcases take their place?
Posted inFEATURES, NEWS, OPINION, Others
VOICES: Do believe in hype
Robin Swithinbank believes that a mixture of positive marketing hype and fear of missing out is an irresistible combination that the best brands are executing with increasing confidence.
