The impact of Smartwatches on the Swiss watch industry

Apple Watch Hermès with double Tour Epsom calfsking strap. Photo: © Hermès

What are some of the business threats facing the Swiss watch industry? According to the Deloitte Swiss Watch Industry 2015 report titled Uncertain times, the top risk factors will be: i. the strength of the Swiss franc; ii. weaker foreign demand; iii. weaker domestic demand; iv. the shortage of qualified labour; and v. smartwatches. The annual report, the fourth Deloitte … More

Breguet Type XXI 3817: Fly back in time

Breguet Type XXI 3817. Introduced in 2016, its 42mm steel case houses the Calibre 584Q/2 automatic movement with 48 hours power reserve using the inverted in-line Swiss lever escapement with silicon pallets and a silicon balance spring. It features the chronograph with flyback function, and day and night display. Photo: © TANG Portfolio.

Aviation pioneer Louis Charles Breguet (1880 to 1955) was a French aircraft designer. Like his great-great grandfather, the famed horologist Abraham-Louis Breguet (1747 to 1823), he was an inventor and developed the gyroplane, the forerunner of the helicopter. In 1916, he developed the Breguet Type XIV plane. Around 8,000 of these planes were purchased by an estimated 15 countries between … More

Hautlence Labyrinth 01: Time to A-Maze

Hautlence Labyrinth 01, Playground Collection. Introduced in 2016, it features
Hautlence’s in-house movement with mechanical lift including bevel gears. The dial is in solid gold and the game ball is in platinum. The titanium case is 37mm by 43.5mm and is 13mm thick and is water-resistant to 3 atm. Limited to 18 pieces and Recommended retail price: CHF12,000. The Labyrinth is also available in a version with a labyrinth dial in solid white gold that is limited to 18 pieces. Photo: © TANG Portfolio.

At a glance, the Hautlence Labyrinth looks like a complicated wristwatch. However, the catch is that it isn’t a wristwatch as it doesn’t tell the time because there is no watch movement in it. It is better defined as a “wristgame”. Why? Take a second look and you’d notice that the dial is actually a maze and there is a … More