The Local Switzerland

How luxury watchmakers are gearing up for Brexit

Wed, 27 Mar 2019 15:48:06 +0100

Luxury watchmakers have joined the list of businesses implementing Brexit contingency plans by stockpiling inventory in Britain before it leaves the EU, industry leaders have said.

Slump in luxury watch exports casts shadow over Baselworld

Wed, 22 Mar 2017 09:24:52 +0100

The world's biggest watch fair will open in Switzerland this week, even as slumping exports of luxury Swiss timepieces appear to dash hopes of a market rebound.

Sufficiently Swiss: at least 60% for watches

Sat, 18 Jun 2016 10:03:50 +0200

Switzerland adopted regulations on Friday requiring that locally-made parts account for at least 60 percent by value in order for watches to bear the coveted and lucrative "Swiss Made" label.

Swiss watch exports take sharp plunge

Thu, 21 Apr 2016 20:52:32 +0200

Global exports of Swiss watches plummeted in March, amid a dramatic contraction of sales in main markets Hong Kong and the United States.

Swiss watch fair opens amid crisis of confidence

Fri, 18 Mar 2016 09:41:00 +0100

The world's biggest watch fair opened in the Swiss city of Basel on Thursday as a slumping luxury market and the soaring popularity of connected timepieces cast a gloom over the industry.

Tag Heuer announces plans for smartwatch

Thu, 19 Mar 2015 16:50:04 +0100

Luxury Swiss watchmaker Tag Heuer announced on Thursday that it was joining forces with technology behemoths Google and Intel to develop a smartwatch that can compete with the new Apple Watch.

Baselworld timed to start amid tough conditions

Wed, 18 Mar 2015 23:38:00 +0100

Baselworld, the biggest watch show in the world, is timed to start on Thursday amid an uncertain atmosphere for Switzerland’s watchmakers.

Swiss immigration vote ticks off watchmakers

Sun, 30 Mar 2014 14:08:00 +0200

Switzerland's recent vote to curtail immigration from the European Union could seriously impact the Alpine country's booming watch trade, industry insiders have warned

World's most costly watch unveiled in Basel

Fri, 28 Mar 2014 10:20:00 +0100

British jeweller Graff has unveiled what it described as the "most valuable watch ever created" — a timepiece replete with more than 110 carats of diamonds costing $55 million.

Baselworld watch reps see uptick in fortunes

Thu, 27 Mar 2014 16:51:00 +0100

Baselworld, the showcase for watchmakers, opened on a bright note on Thursday, with industry leaders seeing a rise in global demand despite a sharp slowdown for expensive watches in China.

Basel watch fair opens amid uncertain times

Tue, 25 Mar 2014 10:30:00 +0100

The world's biggest watch fair is set to open this week in Basel, offering an industry showcase for the world's most extravagant, rare and complex timepieces.

Chinese worries hang over Basel watch show

Tue, 23 Apr 2013 12:31:00 +0200

The world's biggest watch fair is set to open this week in Basel amid growing uncertainty over whether the industry can keep up its momentum and rake in another year of record sales in China.

Scot jailed for theft of Basel diamond

Wed, 04 Jul 2012 14:20:19 +0200

A 56-year-old Scot was sentenced on Tuesday to 18 months in prison for stealing a diamond from the Baselworld watch and jewellery show.

What crisis? Swiss watch makers eye record 2012

Thu, 08 Mar 2012 09:47:00 +0100

The world's biggest watch fair is set to open in an optimistic mood, with Swiss watchmakers -- the industry's barometer -- expecting 2012 demand to beat 2011's, when exports hit a record.

Watch makers gear up for world's biggest fair

Mon, 05 Mar 2012 16:01:00 +0100

The world's biggest watch event opens in Basel this week on the back of a bumper year thanks to Asian demand for luxury timepieces.

Police identify brain behind diamond theft

Fri, 24 Feb 2012 18:43:00 +0100

Swiss police say they have identified the man who organized a spectacular 8 million franc ($8.9 million) diamond robbery last year from the world's biggest watch and jewellery event in Basel.

Images of Basel diamond thieves captured

Fri, 01 Apr 2011 10:52:00 +0200

Swiss police have handed to Interpol images of suspects believed to have stolen four diamonds from the world's biggest watch and jewellery fair in the city of Basel.

Diamonds swiped in daring Basel raid

Thu, 31 Mar 2011 10:25:00 +0200

Four diamonds worth millions were stolen on Wednesday from the world's biggest watch and jewellery fair in the northern Swiss city of Basel.

Fancy phones force watchmakers to innovate

Fri, 25 Mar 2011 13:58:00 +0100

With the younger generation opting to use their smartphones to tell time, the watch-making industry is being forced to get smart and high-tech to recapture consumers, AFP's Hui Min Neo discovers at the Baselworld watch and jewellery fair.