uring the past ten years, we have witnessed an “explosion” at several levels – prices, styles, a multiplication of innovations, an acceleration in the pace of launches.

This “explosion” has left brands, retailers and consumers bewildered and disorientated and has saturated the markets.

At the same time, traditional distribution has been turned upside down, both by the proliferation of brand boutiques and by new uses of digital technology.

Customer volatility and nomadic purchasing habits have increased.

The simultaneous arrival of smartwatches has added to the confusion.

Saturation has triggered a certain disenchantment with – or even a disavowal of – watches.

Image by Fabian Oefner - disintegrating Porsche 956R

“Disintegrating Series” by Swiss artist Fabian Oefner is a suite of images of high performance cars that appear to have blown apart. The series explores essential questions about the relationship of time and reality, ultimately creating a visually rich rendition of a moment that never existed. His work can be seen at M.A.D. Gallery Geneva and on fabianoefner.com.

FEATURED IN THIS SPECIAL WATCH PRICES REPORT:

 Reshuffling the price cards
 Price constellation
 It’s the fault of…
 An objective look
 Denis Asch “I wanted to sell watches, not prices”
 Price hike between 2000 and 2010, then the slump
 All china’s fault?
 “As soon as a price goes up, they look elsewhere”
 The internet has changed the rules of distribution
 To raise or lower prices?
 A paradigm shift for distribution
 “Retailers need to turn into gallery owners”

Source: Europa Star TIME.BUSINESS/TIME.KEEPER Dec. 2016 - Jan. 2017