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EXCLUSIVE: Patek Philippe postpones all watch launches until 2021 and Rolex could be next

Watchmaker aims to take the strain off its retail partners, manufacture and supply chain by delaying the entire 2020 launch programme.

In any other year, Patek Philippe pushing its entire 2020 launch programme back by a year would be news that would rock the global watch industry.

But these are not normal times, and the decision, shared with Patek Philippe retail partners earlier this week, has been welcomed as a common sense reaction to the global lock down caused by the Coronavirus pandemic.

Rumours in the market suggest Rolex may also bounce all 2020 launches into next year.

Baselworld has been postponed until 2021, Patek Philippe’s factories are running in maintenance mode for the foreseeable future, its headquarters and in-country distribution offices are closed, and so are the doors of almost all its retail partners. Distribution has ground to a standstill.

In the circumstances, switching any capacity up and down the supply chain and distribution channel to the creation, launch and sale of new collections would simply add to the strain.

It also means Patek Philippe authorised dealers will not have to commit precious cash to buying in new collections.

None of the retailers who shared the news of Patek Philippe’s decision wanted to go on the record, and the public line from the brand remains that “it will not launch the new models in April this year as initially planned”.

One retailer said it was another example of how Patek Philippe cares for and appreciates the needs of its partners. He said that the brand had also relaxed payment terms on invoices to relieve pressure on cashflow.

EDITOR’S NOTE

A year without new watches is not as dramatic as people outside the trade may fear, writes Rob Corder.

In a recent interview with Hublot’s chief executive Ricardo Guadalupe, WatchPro was told that new watches typically account for 15% of annual sales.

They are important, he stressed, because they generate excitement among retailers and customers. But with everybody’s health and financial security far more important right now, the decision to delay looks prudent and of minimal risk to Patek Philippe and others that follow the same strategy.

For brands like Patek Philippe, Rolex and Audemars Piguet, which normally have long waiting lists for certain unicorn watches, postponing the creation of new models for a year may also allow them to pivot resources into manufacturing more of the best selling watches.

That could allow for a rapid catch-up in sales of these highly desirable models, which would be an enormous help to retailers and something to lift the spirits of watch consumers that have spent years on waiting lists.

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8 Comments

  1. 1000 people dieing a day and you guys are worried that the launch of new watches is postponed? I love watches. I also work on ITU. Keep it real guys, you’re losing the bigger picture here.

    Mike

  2. Yet here you are, looking at a Watch magazine. I don’t think what’s been written has been disrespectful to the bigger picture. If the author had argued that the releases should still proceed this year, then you would be right to protest.

  3. This is not true. The statement on the mailer to retailers said, “The launch of new Basel products has been postponed.” Not sure how this is interpreted as delayed until next year…….

  4. Hi Eric. I have been told by three ADs that there was an additional advisory that says no new watches this year.

  5. Uh then why are you here? This is a watch website and they cover watches. You need to stfu seriously. Nobody is discrediting the seriousness of our situation here don’t be such a drama queen you snowflake.

  6. They should build tons of 15202’s and 5711’s in SS/blue dial; loads of Batman/Pepsi/Hulk, and SS/ceramic Daytona’s, am pretty sure there’ll be lots of buyers :)

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