The company is focused on modernizing the custom jewelry buying experience with e-commerce tools like product visualization and 3D styling.
Women’s Watch Sales On the Rise for First Time in 3 Years
According to The NPD Group, sales increased in the first half of 2018 across almost all price categories.

Port Washington, N.Y.—Market analysis firm The NPD Group reported that women’s watch sales are up in the United States after three years of decline.
Between January and May 2018 sales increased 2 percent year-over-year, representing approximately 7 million units sold in the period.
NPD attributed the uptick to watchmakers’ increased focus on their respective women’s divisions, including both new product and more marketing.
Reginald Brack, NPD luxury and watch industry analyst, said: “While we have been tracking the growing trend of women buying men’s-sized watches for some time, sales of smaller watches for women also skyrocketed this year.
“Some brands with a traditionally male focus are now hiring female celebrities to be brand ambassadors in their advertising, with TAG Heuer going so far as to dub 2018 its ‘Year of the Woman.’ These and other efforts by watchmakers are working to focus women’s attention on some traditionally male-centered brands."
Overall, models new to the market accounted for about 7 percent of total sales in the January to May period, with Rolex and Michael Kors the top two earners for new product.
RELATED CONTENT: LVMH Watch, Jewelry Revenue Up 8% in First-Half 2018Valentine’s Day and Mother’s Day garnered particularly strong sales, with large increases in January and April in preparation for those holidays.
Sales were up across nearly every price point.
However, the under $300 category, typically dominated by Michael Kors, saw a 6 percent decrease as the brand is now pricing its growing assortment of smartwatches at $350 and above.
Smartwatches led the 2 percent growth in the $300 to $1,499 segment, but sales of regular watches in that price range were down 4 percent.
High-end watch sales also experienced a major boost in the first half of the year.
Watches priced between $10,000 and $25,000 experienced 17 percent growth, while sales of watches above $25,000 increased 16 percent.
“Rolex and Patek Philippe drove most of the sales increase within the highest price segments,” Brack said. “However, Audemars Piguet and Piaget also contributed to the women’s watch resurgence at the high end of the market.”
The NPD Group collects and analyzes market information across multiple retail channels for more than 20 industries to measure performance and predict trends.
Its latest women’s watch sales report was gathered through NPD’s Retail Tracking Service, which gathers point-of-sale information in the U.S. watch industry and analyzes it according to brand, price
The Latest

Following its recent acquisition, the storied brand has updated its leadership team and regional managers.

AGS also named the recipient of its “Women in Leadership” scholarship.

The Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship from Jewelers of America returns for a second year.

The 20-karat yellow gold and diamond wrap ring is modeled after the Monstera plants in the garden of the brand’s Miami villa.


Rocksbox President Allison Vigil shared the retailer’s expansion plans, and her thoughts on opening stores in malls.

The creator of the WJA Chicago chapter is remembered as a champion for women in the jewelry industry and a loving grandmother.

The countdown is on for the JCK Las Vegas Show and JA is pulling out all the stops.

The decline was consistent across age groups and almost all income groups, with tariffs and inflation still top of mind.

The “Playlist: Electric Dreams” collection brings lyrics from the musician’s song, “Little Wing,” to life through fine jewelry.

The event is set for May 16-19 in Detroit, Michigan.

The Vault’s Katherine Jetter is accusing the retailer of using info she shared for a potential partnership to move into Nantucket.

Agents seized 2,193 pieces, a mix of counterfeit Cartier “Love” and “Juste Un Clou” bracelets, and Van Cleef & Arpels’ “Alhambra” design.

The designer brought her children’s book, “The Big Splash Circus,” to life through a collection of playful fine jewelry characters.

The trade association has chosen the recipients of the funding initiative it formed to foster the growth and sustainability of the industry.

The organization has also announced this year’s slate of judges.

Associate Editor Natalie Francisco shares 20 additional pieces that stood out to her at the Couture show.

Lori Tucker started at Williams Jewelers when she was 18 years old.

The “XO Tacori” collection was designed to blend luxury and accessible pricing.

Pritesh Patel, the lab’s chief operating officer, will take over as president and CEO of GIA.

National Jeweler and Jewelers of America discuss the standout jewelry trends and biggest news to emerge from the shows this year.

Signatories to the “Luanda Accord” committed to allocating 1 percent of annual diamond revenue to the Natural Diamond Council.

The winning designs captured the “Radiance” theme.

Nominations in the categories of Jewelry Design, Media Excellence, and Retail Innovation will be accepted through July 30.

The singer’s ring ticks off many bridal trends, with a thick band, half-bezel setting, and solitaire diamond.

The bracelet references vintage high jewelry and snake symbolism as a playful piece where a python’s head becomes a working belt buckle.

The heist happened in Lebec, California, in 2022 when a Brinks truck was transporting goods from one show in California to another.