Luxury watch makers are making entry level watches

11.09.09 / Watch Industry News / Author: admin / Comments: (2)
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Things change. Enterprises should adapt to the changing environment to survive. So do the high-end watch makers.

Although the Swiss watch industry does see some recovering sign recently that the watch exports is slowly recovering, no one can tell if they can survive when this unprecedented global economic crisis finally ends. Obviously the luxury watchmakers are suffering hunger.

How will they survive? Some luxury watchmakers show their answers by offering a few entry level watches this season.

Baume & Mercier
The Swiss watch company Baume & Mercier was founded in 1830, their watches are marked by personality, elegance and constant renewal in its heritage. A Baume & Mercier watch typically sells around $3,100, but both the Hampton Classic 8810 and 8812 with scrach resistant sapphire crystal and quartz movement are sold at $1,390, which is less than the half of the average price.

Baume_Mercier_Hampton_Classic_8810_8812
Bvlgari
The Italian jeweler and luxury goods retailer Bvlgari has a long history dates back to 1884. Bulgari watches combine timeless beauty of Roman and Greek  art while showing a distinctive contemporary touch. Usually Bvlgari watches retail from $3250 to $150,000. But their Carbon Gold 125th Anniversary Watch with 18kt white gold and carbon case are only priced at $1450.

Bvlgari_Carbon_Gold
Hublot
Hublot is a young Swiss watch brand created in 1980. But their watches are highly sought-after soon after its foundation for their sobriety, comfort and the characteristic shape. Hublot watches generally range between $10,000 to $20,000. Some even over million dollars. But the Hublot Big Bang Classic Zirconium with a face with interior anti-reflection treatment retails for only $8,000.

Hublot_Big-Bang_Classic_ZirconiumVacheron Constantin
Vacheron Constantin is considered to be the oldest watchmaker in the world. Most of Vacheron Constantin watches are sold between $20,000 and $30,000. But the Vacheron Constantin Overseas Automactic with Titanium Bezel is priced at only $9,800. And it’s water resistant up to 150 meters.

Vacheron_Constantin_Overseas_Automactic
Piaget
The Swiss watch brand Piaget has been cultivating the spirit of luxury by cultivating creativity, attention to detail, as well as totally integrated watchmaking and jewellery know-how. Piaget watches typically sells from $20,000 and up, but the Piaget Polo FortyFive Standard Automatic retails for only $11,900. It’s the first Piaget watch made from titanium and it operates at 21,600 vibrations per hours, which is a feature usually found in much more expensive watches.

Piaget_Polo_FortyFive_Standard_AutomaticWhether these entry level watches will be popular are still not known. But in my opinion, the rich won’t be interested in such watches. For most of the people with average salary, the prices of these so called entry level watches are still quite high and unattractive. For them, replica watches are better alternatives if they want to wear brand name watches. So it appears that the prospect of these entry level watches are not looking good. We’ll see it.