WatchesAug 04, 2022
4 Takeaways from Chrono24’s Analysis of the Luxury Watch MarketFinancialsAug 17, 2022
Watches of Switzerland’s US Sales Double in Q1
The company posted a strong start to the year but is cautious about the second half.
Pictured here is Watches of Switzerland’s store in the Mall of America. The company’s first-quarter revenue was up 31 percent year-over-year.
London—Watches of Switzerland kicked off its fiscal year on a high note but is looking cautiously to the year ahead.
“The first quarter continued with strong momentum throughout, and we carry this positive momentum into the second quarter,” said CEO Brian Duffy.
“Despite the well-publicized concerns about the macro-environment, demand for our products remains robust, with client registration of interest lists continuing to extend.”
Here are five important takeaways from the company’s recent earnings report.
Watches of Switzerland had a strong start to the year, with U.S. revenue doubling.
For the first quarter ending July 31, the company posted £391 million ($471.4 million) in total revenue, up 31 percent year-over-year.
Sales in the luxury watches category rose 32 percent year-over-year.
Online sales climbed 14 percent year-over-year as the company continues to invest in its multi-channel strategy.
In the United States, Watches of Switzerland’s revenue doubled, totaling £152 million ($183.3 million) compared with £76 million ($91.6 million) in the prior-year period.
Differentiating itself from the competition has been key to its success, said Duffy.
“Within a large, diffuse, and growing market, we are benefitting from our distinctive business model—namely our investment in leading store design, the strength of our brand partnerships, our international scale, our bold marketing campaigns, our advanced systems technology, and our dedication to client experience,” he said.
The company is maintaining its guidance, citing a “more challenging” second half of the year.
Watches of Switzerland is reiterating its guidance for fiscal 2023, due to “a potentially more challenging trading environment” in the second half of the year.
The company expects to reach £1.45 billion to £1.50 billion ($1.8 billion to $1.9 billion) in revenue with adjusted EBITDA flat to 0.5 percent.
“While we continue to monitor the wider macro-economic environment, we believe that the strength of the luxury watch category, with its unique supply/demand dynamics, together with the success and agility of our model, will continue to support long-term sustainable strong sales growth,” said the company.
Its luxury jewelry category is keeping up the momentum.
Watches of Switzerland is best known for its luxury watch offerings, but its high-end jewelry category has been doing particularly well in recent quarters.
Revenue in the luxury jewelry category climbed 36 percent year-over-year to £27 million ($32.6 million) in the first quarter.
Watches of Switzerland acquired a number of independent jewelers last year, including Betteridge, which has stores in Greenwich, Connecticut, and Vail and Aspen, Colorado.
It also scooped up the Ben Bridge store at Mall of America outside Minneapolis-St. Paul and Timeless Luxury Watches in Plano, Texas.
Watches of Switzerland also recently opened its first Bulgari boutique, which added to the increase in jewelry sales.
Related stories will be right here …
“The first quarter continued with strong momentum throughout, and we carry this positive momentum into the second quarter,” said CEO Brian Duffy.
“Despite the well-publicized concerns about the macro-environment, demand for our products remains robust, with client registration of interest lists continuing to extend.”
Here are five important takeaways from the company’s recent earnings report.
Watches of Switzerland had a strong start to the year, with U.S. revenue doubling.
For the first quarter ending July 31, the company posted £391 million ($471.4 million) in total revenue, up 31 percent year-over-year.
Sales in the luxury watches category rose 32 percent year-over-year.
Online sales climbed 14 percent year-over-year as the company continues to invest in its multi-channel strategy.
In the United States, Watches of Switzerland’s revenue doubled, totaling £152 million ($183.3 million) compared with £76 million ($91.6 million) in the prior-year period.
Differentiating itself from the competition has been key to its success, said Duffy.
“Within a large, diffuse, and growing market, we are benefitting from our distinctive business model—namely our investment in leading store design, the strength of our brand partnerships, our international scale, our bold marketing campaigns, our advanced systems technology, and our dedication to client experience,” he said.
The company is maintaining its guidance, citing a “more challenging” second half of the year.
Watches of Switzerland is reiterating its guidance for fiscal 2023, due to “a potentially more challenging trading environment” in the second half of the year.
The company expects to reach £1.45 billion to £1.50 billion ($1.8 billion to $1.9 billion) in revenue with adjusted EBITDA flat to 0.5 percent.
“While we continue to monitor the wider macro-economic environment, we believe that the strength of the luxury watch category, with its unique supply/demand dynamics, together with the success and agility of our model, will continue to support long-term sustainable strong sales growth,” said the company.
Its luxury jewelry category is keeping up the momentum.
Watches of Switzerland is best known for its luxury watch offerings, but its high-end jewelry category has been doing particularly well in recent quarters.
Revenue in the luxury jewelry category climbed 36 percent year-over-year to £27 million ($32.6 million) in the first quarter.
Watches of Switzerland acquired a number of independent jewelers last year, including Betteridge, which has stores in Greenwich, Connecticut, and Vail and Aspen, Colorado.
It also scooped up the Ben Bridge store at Mall of America outside Minneapolis-St. Paul and Timeless Luxury Watches in Plano, Texas.
Watches of Switzerland also recently opened its first Bulgari boutique, which added to the increase in jewelry sales.
It’s growing its pre-owned business via Analog:Shift.
Watches of Switzerland acquired pre-owned and vintage watch seller Analog:Shift in September 2020 as a way to bolster its offerings in those categories.
Interest in vintage and pre-owned timepieces has been increasing, said the company at the time of the acquisition, and the lack of availability of select newer models from brands like Rolex and Patek Philippe added more opportunity.
Mayors Jewelers and Analog:Shift, both under the Watches of Switzerland umbrella, partnered with lifestyle brand Goop on a new e-commerce and retail venture in June.
As part of the partnership, Goop expanded its fine jewelry and timepiece assortment with a curated collection of vintage watches and jewelry staples from the brands on its website and in its Sag Harbor, New York brick-and-mortar location.
Its new Rolex boutique in London will be eight times the size of the old one.
Its home market of London is particularly important to the company.
Watches of Switzerland announced it will relocate its current 900-square-foot Rolex boutique on Bond Street to a new 7,200-square-foot space on Old Bond Street.
The move is set to take place next year.
“This new flagship will reflect the importance of the London market and the special relevance of London to the history of Rolex,” said Duffy.
More on Financials
The Latest
MajorsNov 21, 2025
Natural Diamond Council Names New CEOAmber Pepper’s main focus will be on digital innovation and engaging younger consumers.
SourcingNov 21, 2025
De Beers’ Branded, Traceable Diamonds Roll Out to 19 Retailers Called “Origin by De Beers Group,” the loose, polished diamonds are being sold in a total of 30 stores in the United States and Canada.
CollectionsNov 21, 2025
Piece of the Week: Melissa Kaye’s ‘Rocky Infinity’ NecklaceThe lariat necklace features a 4.88-carat oval-cut Zambian emerald in 18-karat yellow gold.
Brought to you by
Impacting Tomorrow TodayHow Jewelers of America’s 20 Under 40 are leading to ensure a brighter future for the jewelry industry.
AuctionsNov 20, 2025
Vanderbilt Jewels Shine at Phillips Sale, Pink Diamond WithdrawnA 43-carat sapphire brooch from the Vanderbilt collection was the top lot of the Geneva sale.
Weekly QuizNov 20, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
CollectionsNov 20, 2025
Rebecca Rau Jewels Debuts With ‘Then & Now’ CollectionRau is a fourth-generation art and antique dealer from M.S. Rau gallery whose first jewelry collection merges artifacts with modern design.
Policies & IssuesNov 20, 2025
RJC Names New Executive DirectorFormer De Beers sustainability leader Purvi Shah will take over the role in February 2026.
Brought to you by
Roseco Releases New Full-Line CatalogRoseco’s 704-page catalog showcases new lab-grown diamonds, findings, tools & more—available in print or interactive digital editions.
WatchesNov 20, 2025
LVMH Takes Minority Stake in Citizen Group-Owned Movement Maker La Joux-Perret is based in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland, and makes solar quartz as well as mechanical watch movements.
GradingNov 20, 2025
Julia Griffith Joins SSEF as Head of EducationShe previously taught at Gem-A and is the founder of The Gem Academy.
CollectionsNov 19, 2025
Larkspur & Hawk Celebrates 25 Years With Helena Bonham Carter CampaignThe British actress and her daughter modeled pieces from the brand’s new “Palette” capsule for its “Once Upon a Time” holiday campaign.
TechnologyNov 19, 2025
Google Has a New Form for Reporting ‘Review Bombing’ Attacks Plus, the tech giant shares the steps retailers should take if they believe they’re a victim of a review extortion scam.
IndependentsNov 19, 2025
Houston Jeweler Keith Shaftel Retires, Next Generation Steps In Danny and Gaby Shaftel are now Shaftel Diamonds’ CEO and chief operating officer, respectively.
TrendsNov 19, 2025
Midas Chain Releases 2025 Holiday Style GuideThe jewelry manufacturer’s seasonal offering features its new “Melodie” bangles, as well as mini stud earrings and layering pieces.
Events & AwardsNov 18, 2025
NYC Jewelry Week 2025: 12 Must-See EventsWith more than 140 activations taking place in New York City now through Nov. 23, these 12 events are can’t-miss moments.
MajorsNov 18, 2025
Lugano Diamonds Files for Bankruptcy, Looking for BuyerThe Chapter 11 filing follows the resignation of CEO Moti Ferder, who stepped down after an investigation into the company’s finances.
Events & AwardsNov 18, 2025
A Giant, Bejeweled Moldy Berry Is on Display in LAThe artwork is part of an exhibition featuring works by Kathleen Ryan, an artist known for her gemstone-studded rotting fruit sculptures.
SourcingNov 18, 2025
Another Diamond Company CEO Steps DownMark Wall, president and CEO of Canadian mining company Mountain Province Diamonds, will vacate his position next month.
CrimeNov 17, 2025
Police Searching for 2 Suspects in Murder of Father, Son Jewelers Faustino Alamo Dominguez and his son, 25-year-old Luis Angel Alamo, were gunned down following an armed robbery at their jewelry store.
GradingNov 17, 2025
IGI Announces New President of North AmericaTiffany & Co. veteran Jeffrey Bennett has stepped into the role.
MajorsNov 17, 2025
Look Inside Robbins Brothers Fine Jewelers’ New Pasadena FlagshipThe showroom is located in a historic 1920s building in the Playhouse District.
Policies & IssuesNov 14, 2025
U.S., Switzerland Reach Deal That Drops Tariff to 15%The Swiss government announced the deal, which cuts the tax on Swiss imports by more than half, on social media Friday morning.
AuctionsNov 14, 2025
Napoleon’s Diamond Brooch Blows Away Auction Estimates A buyer paid $4.4 million for the piece, which Napoleon wore on his hat for special occasions and left behind when he fled Waterloo.
CollectionsNov 14, 2025
Piece of the Week: Silvia Furmanovich’s ‘Butterflies in Flight’ Jewelry BoxFurmanovich designed the box to hold Mellerio’s “Color Queen,” a high jewelry collection consisting of 10 rings.
Events & AwardsNov 14, 2025
JCK Names New Event DirectorJennifer Hopf, who has been with JCK since 2022, will lead the execution of the long-running jewelry trade show.
IndependentsNov 13, 2025
127-Year-Old New Orleans Jeweler to CloseAdler’s Jewelry is set to close its two stores as 82-year-old owner Coleman E. Adler II retires.
IndependentsNov 13, 2025
Green Lake Jewelry Works to Move to New Seattle StudioFounder Jim Tuttle shared how a dedication to craftsmanship and meaningful custom jewelry fueled the retailer’s double-digit growth.
