TrendsJun 20, 2025
Dua Lipa Stays On-Trend With Chunky Engagement RingThe singer’s ring ticks off many bridal trends, with a thick band, half-bezel setting, and solitaire diamond.
FinancialsMar 15, 2018
Swatch Group Sees Turnaround in 2018
The watch company recorded a 5 percent increase in net sales following two straight years of decline.
Among the 2017 introductions for Swatch Group-owned Omega were the 1957 Trilogy Limited Editions of the (from left) Seamaster 300, Speedmaster and Railmaster. The watches were released and sold both as a set and individually to mark the diamond anniversary of these popular models, all of which were introduced in 1957.
Biel/Bienne, Switzerland--Swatch Group has reversed two straight years of sales decline and is reportedly bullish on 2018 heading into the Baselworld show.
In its annual report released Wednesday, the Swiss watch company said its Watch & Jewelry segment, which includes watch brands like Breguet, Longines and Tissot plus its Tourbillon and Hour Passion stores, posted 7 percent year-over-year sales growth at current exchange rates.
Growth was particularly strong in the second half of the year, with fourth quarter sales up 15 percent and December coming in as the second-best month in company history.
Including production (Swatch Group Assembly, ETA and Nivarox-FAR, etc.), Swatch Group’s net sales were up 5 percent over 2016 to 7.69 billion Swiss francs ($8.14 billion).
Consolidated net profit increased 27 percent to $755 million Swiss francs ($799 million), with a net margin of 9.5 percent, compared with 7.9 percent in 2016.
The company said its dividend proposal matches that offered in 2015, which was a “highly successful year” board Chair Nayla Hayek said in a letter to shareholders included in the report.
Swatch Group’s 2017 sales gain follows two straight years of declines. The company saw sales drop 11 percent in 2016—a year in which Swiss watch exports as a whole fell 10 percent in both number of units and value—and 3 percent in 2015.
Swatch Group ended the year with 35,360 employees globally, down from 35,750 the previous year.
The watch company’s annual report included brief updates on all its markets worldwide.
For the United States, Caribbean and Latin America, Swatch Group noted that its Caribbean teams were integrated into its U.S. team.
Breguet reopened its flagship store, which is now located at the St. Regis Hotel on Fifth Avenue in New York, and Blancpain moved its New York flagship to 697 Fifth Ave.
Omega opened a pop-up boutique called “Her Time,” which carried only women’s watches, on Fifth Avenue in December, and Swatch opened a new store on Powell Street in San Francisco.
The brand also collaborated with New York-based watch website/retailer Hodinkee to launch the Sistem 51 Hodinkee Vintage 84, an ‘80s-inspired mechanical Swatch watch that sells for $150.
More on Financials
The Latest
TrendsJun 20, 2025
Piece of the Week: Yvonne Léon’s ‘Python Gold’ BraceletThe bracelet references vintage high jewelry and snake symbolism as a playful piece where a python’s head becomes a working belt buckle.
CrimeJun 18, 2025
7 Men Indicted in $100M Brinks Jewelry HeistThe heist happened in Lebec, California, in 2022 when a Brinks truck was transporting goods from one show in California to another.
Brought to you by
Investing in the Next Generation of Bench JewelersThe Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship from Jewelers of America returns for a second year.
AuctionsJun 18, 2025
Historic ‘Marie-Thérèse Pink’ Diamond Fetches $14M at Christie’sThe 10-carat fancy purple-pink diamond with potential links to Marie Antoinette headlined the white-glove jewelry auction this week.
Weekly QuizJun 20, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
EditorsJun 18, 2025
Q&A: Caryl Capeci Dives Into Cruise Jewelry ShoppingThe Starboard Cruises SVP discusses who is shopping for jewelry on ships, how much they’re spending, and why brands should get on board.
AuctionsJun 18, 2025
16th-Century ‘Gresham Grasshopper’ Ring Sells for $56KThe historic signet ring exceeded its estimate at Noonans Mayfair’s jewelry auction this week.
Brought to you by
Jewelers of America is Headed to Las Vegas for JCK 2025The countdown is on for the JCK Las Vegas Show and JA is pulling out all the stops.
CollectionsJun 18, 2025
Kirk Kara Celebrates 135 Years With New JewelsTo mark the milestone, the brand is introducing new non-bridal fine jewelry designs for the first time in two decades.
SourcingJun 18, 2025
Gemfields Sells 36-Carat Rough RubyThe gemstone is the third most valuable ruby to come out of the Montepuez mine, Gemfields said.
TechnologyJun 18, 2025
Alex Brown Named President of Smithee GroupFounder and longtime CEO Ben Smithee will stay with the agency, transitioning into the role of founding partner and strategic advisor.
EditorsJun 17, 2025
The Best New Jewelry from Couture 2025, Part 1Associate Editor Natalie Francisco shares 20 of her favorite pieces from the jewelry collections that debuted at Couture.
ColumnistsJun 17, 2025
Peter Smith: Is Your Comp Plan a Hiring Hindrance?If you want to attract good salespeople and generate a stream of “sleeping money” for your jewelry store, then you are going to have to pay.
AuctionsJun 17, 2025
Colored Gemstones, Signed Jewels Shine in Sotheby’s High Jewelry SaleThe top lot was a colorless Graff diamond, followed by a Burmese ruby necklace by Marcus & Co.
MajorsJun 17, 2025
Amanda Gizzi Gets a Promotion at JAGizzi, who has been in the industry since 2001, is now Jewelers of America’s senior vice president of corporate affairs.
MajorsJun 17, 2025
Kering Names Automotive Exec as Its New CEOLuca de Meo, a 30-year veteran of the auto industry, will succeed longtime CEO François-Henri Pinault.
EditorsJun 16, 2025
Q&A: Bogolo Joy Kenewendo on Mining, Tariffs, and the Energy of Las VegasFollowing visits to Vegas and New York, Botswana’s minerals minister sat down with Michelle Graff to discuss the state of the diamond market.
IndependentsJun 16, 2025
Greenwich St. Jewelers Launches Commitment Campaign Celebrating LGBTQ+ CouplesThe “Your Love Has the Perfect Ring” campaign showcases the strength of love and need for inclusivity and representation, the jeweler said.
MajorsJun 16, 2025
Ivette Nersesyan-Stephanopoulos Joins Tiffany & Co.The former De Beers executive is the jewelry house’s new director of high jewelry for the Americas.
MajorsJun 16, 2025
Catbird Names WNBA Star Nyara Sabally as Its New Brand AmbassadorThe New York Liberty forward is the first athlete to represent the Brooklyn-based jewelry brand.
CollectionsJun 13, 2025
Piece of the Week: Robinson Pelham’s Pear EarringsTake a bite out of the 14-karat yellow gold “Fruits of Love Pear” earrings featuring peridots, diamond stems, and tsavorite leaves.
Events & AwardsJun 13, 2025
AGA to Host ‘Diamonds From Mine to Market’ Education ConferenceThe one-day virtual event will feature speakers from De Beers, GIA, and Gemworld International.
EditorsJun 12, 2025
15 Questions With Jewelry Photographer Ella SophieThe California-based creative talks jewelry photography in the modern era and tackles FAQs about working with a pro for the first time.
AuctionsJun 12, 2025
Vintage Patek Philippe From the ‘50s Sells for $4M at Sotheby’s Al Capone’s pocket watch also found a buyer, though it went for less than half of what it did at auction four years ago.
Events & AwardsJun 12, 2025
Gabriel Love Foundation Introduces Scholarship Honoring Elias GabrielThe foundation has also expanded its “Stronger Together” initiative with Jewelers for Children.
AuctionsJun 12, 2025
Former De Beers Exec Celine Assimon Joins BonhamsAssimon is the auction house’s new chief commercial officer.
EditorsJun 11, 2025
Q&A: Al Cook on Differentiating Natural Diamonds, Traceability, and TariffsThe De Beers Group CEO discusses the company’s new “beacon” program, the likelihood diamonds will be exempt from tariffs, and “Origin.”
