The retailer’s “On the Clock” campaign celebrates how time, precision, and purpose come together.
Watches of Switzerland Goes Public, The RealReal Plans IPO
Here’s what you need to know about the newest publicly-traded luxury retailers.
New York—Publicly-traded watch and jewelry companies are few and far between, a drop in the bucket compared with tech and biotech stocks, but recently notable names have thrown their hats into the stock market ring.
Watches of Switzerland announced in May that it was considering an initial public offering on the London Stock Exchange.
The watch company debuted on the exchange later that month and has a market cap of £706.4 million ($898.2 million) as of press time.
The company went public in an effort to slash its mounting debt and raise capital to grow its presence in the United States.
The brand is well-established in the United Kingdom with 125 stores but has gradually been increasing its footprint in the U.S. since 2017, opening a handful of retail locations.
Its flagship is located in New York’s SoHo neighborhood, and its latest store is in Hudson Yards, a recently opened upscale development in Manhattan that has been called “a billionaire’s fantasy city.”
But Tiffany & Co. is one of the only luxury retailers listed on the S&P 500, so there may be room for more high-end retailers on Wall Street.
Luxury e-tailer and reseller The RealReal Inc. announced its IPO aspirations in January and declared its upcoming trading debut on the Nasdaq last week.
The online consignment site, which was founded in 2011, specializes in secondhand luxury apparel and accessories, offering brands like Chanel, Gucci, Louis Vuitton and Christian Dior.
In the jewelry category, the editors’ picks of the month include an iconic Cartier Love bracelet in 18-karat yellow gold for $4,550 (estimated retail price of $6,300) and an 18-karat rose gold Chopard sport watch for $15,295 (estimated retail price of $29,900).
A team of more than 100 brand authenticators, including gemologists and horologists, verify markers of authenticity, like serial tags and hologram stickers.
The company is not yet profitable, reporting a net loss of $75.8 million in 2018. Revenue is on the rise, however, climbing 55 percent year-over-year to $207.4 million.
The site processed 1.6 million orders in 2018, a 42 percent increase compared with the previous year, with an average order value of $446.
The RealReal has been building out its brick-and-mortar presence, opening its third New York City location on the Upper East Side.
It has 10 in-person consignment offices in total, located in New York City, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Miami, Chicago, Dallas and Washington, D.C.
The date of its Nasdaq debut has not been announced.
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The man and woman are accused of stealing jewelry from a shipping container then trying to flee by paddling a small boat out into a bay.
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The average price per carat hit a record high for the miner, which said it remains unaffected by the conflict in Mozambique.
The nearly 17-carat stone made history for the color-change gem that, according to the auction house, is experiencing a “notable surge” in the market.
More than a century after survivors gifted a Tiffany timepiece to the captain of the ship that rescued them, the jeweler has reclaimed it.
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Feldman reflected on 45 years in the jewelry industry and clarified that it’s not a total retirement.
The luxury brand is being honored for excellence in high jewelry design in its “Haute Joaillerie Sport” collection.
Circelli was a pioneer in the world of TV shopping who is remembered for his passion for gemstones and his big personality.
The nearly 6-carat stone headlined the recent jewelry auction, which also featured Mica Ertegun’s jewelry.
The three men, who got their nickname because they’d toss the jewelry they stole into black plastic bins, were arrested back in August.
“The History of Diamond Engagement Rings: A True Romance” is a 128-page small-format book containing more than 165 images.
Gearys opened a 6,200-square-foot Rolex store with a design that pays homage to the brand’s connection to the ocean.
The diamond cut grade is now available for marquise- and pear-shaped diamonds.
DDG said the honorees’ business practices embody a commitment to positive social impact, industry innovation, and community empowerment.
Estimates on the size and value of the solitaire diamond, which is mounted on a diamond pavé-set yellow gold band, vary.
These half-moon tanzanite earrings totaling 25 carats are part of a special trunk show taking place this weekend in Dallas.
The National Jeweler editors recap the top news, the best jewels, and their favorite stories of the year.