EditorsSep 12, 2025
Out & About: Mining Sapphires in Rock Creek, MontanaAssociate Editor Lauren McLemore headed out West for a visit to Potentate Mining’s operation hosted by gemstone wholesaler Parlé Gems.
FinancialsJul 28, 2020
LVMH’s Watch, Jewelry Sales Down 38% So Far This Year
Declining orders from retailers have hit TAG Heuer and Hublot hard, though TAG’s new smartwatch has “been a great success.”
The newest version of the Connected smartwatch from LVMH-owned watch brand TAG Heuer. The luxury giant saw jewelry and watch sales fall 38 percent in the first half of the year, with overall sales down 27 percent.
Paris—To paraphrase Dennis Green, the numbers are what we thought they would be.
On Monday, LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton, the luxury behemoth that owns brands like Bulgari and TAG Heuer, reported a 38 percent year-over-year decline (39 percent with comparable structure and exchange rates) in sales for its Watches & Jewelry division in the first half of 2020.
Sales totaled €1.32 billion ($1.55 billion), down from €2.14 billion ($2.51 billion) in the same period last year.
Like so many companies, LVMH was forced to shutter its stores and manufacturing facilities for several months due to the worldwide spread of COVID-19.
The company said Monday that in Q2, Bulgari experienced a rebound in the Chinese market as stores there reopened for business.
The iconic Italian brand introduced B.Zero1 Rock collection in February and a new high jewelry collection, this one called Barocko, in June using augmented reality.
Watch brands TAG Heuer and Hublot, meanwhile, felt the impact of the pandemic on third-party retailers, with orders declining.
The new TAG Heuer smartwatch, however, launched at an event in New York right before COVID-19 forced the city to shut down, has “been a great success,” LVMH said.
RELATED CONTENT: Richemont’s Jewelry Sales Sink 41% in Q1
Total sales for LVMH, which also owns Louis Vuitton, Christian Dior and champagne brand Moët, declined 27 percent (28 percent with comparable structure and exchange rates) year-over-year to €18.39 billion ($21.61 billion).
Profit from recurring operations sunk 68 percent to €1.67 billion ($1.96 billion). The company said its most profitable brands were Louis Vuitton, Christian Dior and Moët Hennessy’s stable of wines and liquors.
In a news release announcing first-half results, LVMH Chairman and CEO Bernard Arnault noted the company has seen “an upturn in activity” since June, though the start of the recovery has been uneven.
LVMH’s Q2 revenue fell 38 percent, with a strong rebound in China but sales “notably down” in Europe and the United States, which is battling widespread outbreaks in multiple states and leads the world in both the number of reported COVID-19 cases and deaths.
“We remain very vigilant for the rest of the year,” Arnault remarked. “We continue to be driven by a long-term vision, a deep sense of responsibility and a strong commitment to environmental protection, inclusion and solidarity.
“Thanks to the strength of our brands and the responsiveness of our organization, we are
confident that LVMH is in an excellent position to take advantage of the recovery, which we hope will be confirmed in the second half of the year.”
LVMH did not provide financial guidance for the rest of the fiscal year, stating only that it will focus on controlling costs and “being selective in its investments.”
“The impact of the epidemic on revenue and annual results cannot be precisely assessed at this stage without knowing the timetable for the return to normal business in the different areas where the group operates,” it said.
Regarding its planned acquisition of Tiffany & Co., LVMH provided a one-line update, noting that the closing date will depend on it receiving final regulatory approvals.
Questions about whether the $16 billion deal will go through arose earlier this summer due to the impact COVID-19 has had on retail and the ongoing civil unrest in the U.S.
More on Financials
The Latest
TrendsSep 12, 2025
Piece of the Week: Arunashi’s Fordite and Rhodolite EarringsFordite is a man-made material created from the layers of dried enamel paint that dripped onto the floors of automotive factories.
Events & AwardsSep 12, 2025
Al Gilbertson Wins 2025 Robert M. Shipley AwardGilbertson has worked as a researcher, jeweler, lapidary artist, appraiser, and business owner throughout his decades in the industry.
Brought to you by
reDollar.com Is Rolling Out the Next Level Jewelry, Diamond & Watch Consignment ProgramWith their unmatched services and low fees, reDollar.com is challenging some big names in the online consignment world.
Policies & IssuesSep 11, 2025
Supreme Court to Hear Tariffs Case in November A decision likely won’t come until January 2026 at the earliest, and the tariffs remain in effect until then.
Weekly QuizSep 12, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
MajorsSep 11, 2025
Tabayer Opens Nordstrom Shop-In-ShopLocated in the revamped jewelry hall at the retailer’s New York City flagship, this opening is Tabayer’s first shop-in-shop.
SourcingSep 11, 2025
Need to Sell More Natural Diamonds? De Beers Has an App for ThatThe new, free app offers accessible educational content, like games and podcasts, for U.S. retailers.
Brought to you by
Rallying Call for the Jewelry Industry on Tariffs and Other Key IssuesJewelers of America is leading the charge to protect the industry amidst rising economic threats.
MajorsSep 10, 2025
Stuller to Swap Gold Scrap for Full Credit to AccountAs the gold price rises, the manufacturer is offering a 100 percent payout through Sept. 30 for gold clean scrap.
SourcingSep 10, 2025
Tech Meets Style in the New Loewe x Jacob & Co. HeadphonesJacob & Co. partnered with the German technology company on two pairs of headphones, one set with diamonds and the other with sapphires.
TrendsSep 10, 2025
Tiffany & Co. Archival Jewels Bring Life to ‘Frankenstein’Guillermo del Toro’s 2025 “Frankenstein” will feature 27 jewels and objects from the storied brand, including pieces from its archives.
MajorsSep 10, 2025
24 Karat Club of New York’s Banquet to Return to Waldorf AstoriaThe Waldorf Astoria New York’s grand reopening this past summer means a homecoming for the industry group’s annual event.
SourcingSep 09, 2025
Anglo American to Merge With Canadian Copper Miner Anglo plans to merge with Teck Resources Ltd. to form Anglo Teck. The deal changes nothing about its plans to offload De Beers.
AuctionsSep 09, 2025
‘The Mellon Blue’ to Return to Auction, This Time at Christie’s The 9.51-carat fancy vivid blue diamond, which set two world auction records at Sotheby’s in 2014, is estimated to fetch up to $30 million.
AuctionsSep 09, 2025
Phillips Names Dianne Batista Head of Jewels, New YorkThe industry veteran joins the auction house as it looks to solidify its footprint in the jewelry market.
MajorsSep 09, 2025
MJSA Education Foundation Announces 2025 Scholarship WinnersThe nonprofit awarded four students pursuing a professional career in jewelry making and design with $2,250 each.
IndependentsSep 08, 2025
Take a Look Inside the New Korman Store in AustinThe Texas-based jeweler has also undergone a brand refresh, debuting a new website and logo.
MajorsSep 08, 2025
MJSA Is Officially Now Under JA’s UmbrellaThe two organizations have finalized and signed the affiliation agreement announced in May.
AuctionsSep 08, 2025
Sotheby’s To Auction ‘Exceptional’ Collection of JAR, Suzanne Belperron JewelsThe single-owner sale will headline Sotheby's inaugural jewelry auction at the Breuer building, its new global headquarters, this December.
Events & AwardsSep 08, 2025
27 Can’t-Miss Converge Sessions, Events From sunrise yoga to tariffs talks, these are some events to check out at the upcoming inaugural event.
ColumnistsSep 05, 2025
Peter Smith: A Lasting Lesson From Maurice Tempelsman Smith recalls a bit of wisdom the industry leader, who died last week, shared at a diamond conference years ago.
CollectionsSep 05, 2025
Piece of the Week: Jamie Turner’s ‘Victoria’ Necklace The “Victoria” necklace features a labradorite hugged by diamond accents in 18-karat yellow gold.
Policies & IssuesSep 05, 2025
Trump Takes Tariffs Case to the Supreme Court Two lower courts have moved to block the import taxes, which will remain in place as the legal battle continues.
WatchesSep 05, 2025
Patrick Mahomes Is the New Hublot Brand AmbassadorThe Kansas City Chiefs quarterback shares Hublot’s dedication to pursuing greatness, the Swiss watchmaker said.
SourcingSep 04, 2025
Lucara Unveils Unusual 37-Carat Pink DiamondThe Type IIa stone, recovered from Botswana’s Karowe diamond mine last month, features unique coloration.
WatchesSep 04, 2025
Breitling Takes Its NFL Game to the Next Level Breitling is now the NFL’s official timepiece partner, a move that puts the brand in front of the millions of Americans who watch football.
