Watches of Switzerland’s H1 Sales Up 8%
The retailer also shared an update on the impact of tariffs on watch customers.

The retailer, which shared its preliminary first-half results on Thursday, has a network of stores across the United States and the United Kingdom.
It operates 196 stores, including 84 monobrand boutiques in partnership with watch and jewelry brands like Rolex, Omega, TAG Heuer, Breitling, Roberto Coin, Bulgari, and Fope.
Watches of Switzerland’s portfolio also includes Mayors, Betteridge, Analog:Shift, and Hodinkee, as well as Mappin & Webb and Goldsmiths in the U.K with a presence in Heathrow Airport.
For the first half of the fiscal year ending Oct. 26, Watches of Switzerland’s global revenue totaled £845 million ($1.11 billion), up 8 year-over-year (10 percent at constant currency rates).
CEO Brian Duffy attributed the strong results to the strength of its business model, a disciplined execution of its strategy, and improved market trends.
Demand for luxury watches is strong, said the company, and continues to exceed supply.
Luxury watch revenue totaled £708 million ($930 million), up 8 year-over-year (10 percent at constant currency rates).
The certified pre-owned segment also performed well, including Rolex Certified Pre-Owned watches.
Jewelry sales totaled £102 million ($134 million), up 6 year-over-year (10 percent at constant currency rates).
Jewelry now accounts for 12 percent of the company’s total revenue.
Luxury branded jewelry is outperforming non-branded jewelry, with Watches of Switzerland noting that in the U.S., Roberto Coin wholesale sales were up 12 percent (16 percent at constant currency rates).
Roberto Coin’s sales via Mayors more than doubled year-over-year after branded shop-in-shop displays were installed. There is an opportunity to roll the concept out to other wholesale partners, Watches of Switzerland said.
Watches of Switzerland’s e-commerce sales rose by double digits, up 16 percent year-over-year.
The U.S. market was especially strong, with first-half revenue up 15 percent (20 percent at constant currency rates) to £409 million ($537.2 million).
“Investments in our teams, showrooms, and digital offer are driving growth, while Roberto Coin is delivering excellent results as we implement our growth acceleration strategy in the first full year of ownership,” Duffy said.
In May 2024, the company announced its $130 million acquisition of the North American arm of Roberto Coin, making it the brand’s exclusive distributor in the U.S., Canada, Central America, and the Caribbean.
In the U.K., Watches of Switzerland’s revenue was up 2 percent year-over-year despite a “challenging” retail environment. Notably, the company has been closing stores in the market.
It has completed its exit from the European market.
In its trading update, Watches of Switzerland mentioned tariffs, specifically the 39 percent tax on imports from Switzerland that President Donald Trump announced on July 31.
It said, “We understand negotiations between governments are still taking place. We are closely monitoring tariff developments and brand responses. To date, we have not seen any significant change to consumer behavior.”
Watches of Switzerland said it completed a number of projects in the first half, including a new Audemars Piguet House in Manchester, England, which it is operating as a joint venture, as well as some relocations and refurbishments of existing locations.
There are more projects underway in the second half of the year, including a new Watches of Switzerland store in Minneapolis, which opened on Oct. 31.
Three new Roberto Coin monobrand boutiques are expected to open in New York and Las Vegas in the third quarter.
Looking to the year ahead, the company is reiterating its fiscal year guidance of 6 to 10 percent constant currency revenue growth, as announced in July.
It is sticking by its forecast in spite of the “uncertain economic and geopolitical backdrop,” noting its strong momentum in the first half of the year.
The retailer is well-positioned for the holiday season, said Duffy, and is confident it can deliver another year of sales growth.
Watches of Switzerland plans to announce its final first-half results on Dec. 4.
The Latest

The Western star’s 14-karat gold signet ring sold for six times its low estimate following a bidding war at U.K. auction house Elmwood’s.

The discussion, "Rebuilding the Jewelry Workforce," will take place on Saturday, May 16, in Troy, Michigan.

The jewelry industry is reassessing its positioning as Gen Z reshapes the retail landscape and lab grown continues to gain market share.

With the trade and customer trust in mind, GIA® developed NextGem™ – on-demand training designed specifically for retail.

A matching pair of 18.38-carat, D-color diamonds from Botswana’s Jwaneng mine sold for $3.3 million, the top lot of the jewelry auction.


Sponsored by A Diamond Is Forever

The next generation of lapidarists are entrepreneurial, engaged online, and see the craft as a means for artistic expression.

Gain access to the most exclusive and coveted antique pieces from trusted dealers during Las Vegas Jewelry Week.

It was the second auction appearance for the fancy vivid blue-green diamond, which sold for $7.8 million at Christie’s Geneva 12 years ago.

Members of the U.S. Marshals Task Force took a 22-year-old man into custody. He was charged with tampering with evidence.

While the overall number of crimes was down, there were more incidences in which robbers pulled out guns, mace, or rammed cars into stores.

Jack Sutton Fine Jewelry is closing its store inside the downtown shopping center after 40 years in business.

Reena Ahluwalia’s painting of the rare red diamond is the first contemporary painting to join the National Gem Collection.

The price of gold has risen, affecting the number of pieces designers make, the materials they use, and how they position themselves.

Peter Smith gives tips on leading meetings, developing marketing, and making trade show appointments in the age of short attention spans.

The 11-piece “Medallions” capsule collection features five motifs: a crying eye, a heart on fire, a spiral, a flower, and a swallow.

From Gen Z’s view of luxury to “doom spending,” these are the six consumer trends to note this year.

The partners have announced the second cycle of the program, which has expanded to include a $25,000 student scholarship.

The owners of Staats Jewelers are heading into retirement.

Jeffrey Gennette, who retired in 2024 after 41 years with Macy’s, is the newest member of the jewelry retailer’s board of directors.

May babies are lucky to have emeralds, a gemstone admired for centuries, as their birthstone, writes Amanda Gizzi.

The new module allows retailers to plan, promote, and measure the success of events from a single dashboard.

NDC said in an open letter that Pandora’s statements about the carbon footprint of lab grown versus natural diamonds are inaccurate.

The diamantaire and industry leader succeeds Feriel Zerouki and said he will focus on being a “champion” for natural diamonds.

She wore our Piece of the Week, Glenn Spiro’s “Old Moghul Golconda” earrings, featuring fancy brown-yellow diamonds totaling 51.90 carats.

Two pieces were named “Best in Show,” one from the retail category and one from the supplier category.

Led by the 6.59-carat sapphire, the sale garnered $9.7 million, a record total for a Heritage jewelry auction.

























