Joe Thompson

Editor-At-Large

Latest

A Three-Day, Six-Factory Tour Into the Heart of Swiss Watchmaking

A Three-Day, Six-Factory Tour Into the Heart of Swiss Watchmaking

The Swatch Group gives a crash course on the devilishly difficult task of fine mechanical watchmaking at Blancpain, Breguet, Omega, Jaquet Droz, and Harry Winston—with a peak at Glashütte, too.

July 8, 2019

July 8, 2019

A Three-Day, Six-Factory Tour Into the Heart of Swiss Watchmaking

The Swatch Group gives a crash course on the devilishly difficult task of fine mechanical watchmaking at Blancpain, Breguet, Omega, Jaquet Droz, and Harry Winston—with a peak at Glashütte, too.

A Three-Day, Six-Factory Tour Into the Heart of Swiss Watchmaking

April 23, 2019

April 23, 2019

The Fight to Save the World’s Biggest Watch Show

Will lower booth prices and a digital redo revive the struggling, 102-year-old Baselworld?

The Fight to Save the World’s Biggest Watch Show

February 7, 2019

February 7, 2019

“We Have Things Up Our Sleeve”: The Next 100 Years of Citizen Watches

Coming soon: ultra-thin Eco-Drives, high-tech Promasters, hybrid smartwatches, and watches for the House of Mouse.

“We Have Things Up Our Sleeve”: The Next 100 Years of Citizen Watches

February 1, 2019

February 1, 2019

Swiss Watch Industry Faces ‘Signs of Stagnation’

Swiss watch exports jumped 6 perfect in value in 2018. But a second-half slowdown raises questions about this year.

Swiss Watch Industry Faces ‘Signs of Stagnation’

December 24, 2018

December 24, 2018

In America, Seiko Wants to Ditch the Discount Brand Image

November 29, 2018

November 29, 2018

Surprise! Millennials Aren’t Killing Watches After All

How the Movado Group plans to win younger hearts, minds, and wrists.

Surprise! Millennials Aren’t Killing Watches After All

October 30, 2018

October 30, 2018

The Life and Times of Jean-Claude Biver, a Swiss Watch Legend

The making of the modern watch industry.

The Life and Times of Jean-Claude Biver, a Swiss Watch Legend

October 23, 2018

October 23, 2018

Swiss Watch Exports Drop for First Time in 16 Months

September was not a great month.

Swiss Watch Exports Drop for First Time in 16 Months

October 2, 2018

October 2, 2018

Japan’s Seiko Launches New Luxury Watch Company

By introducing the first independent Grand Seiko subsidiary, Seiko Japan makes its push into the U.S. luxury watch segment clear.

Japan’s Seiko Launches New Luxury Watch Company

September 21, 2018

September 21, 2018

LVMH Confirms Stéphane Bianchi Will Head Watchmaking Division

And TAG Heuer has a new director of strategy, too.

LVMH Confirms Stéphane Bianchi Will Head Watchmaking Division

August 1, 2018

August 1, 2018

Why Swatch Group Pulled Out of the World’s Biggest Watch Expo

Chief Executive Officer Nick Hayek issues a scathing indictment of Baselworld management. Baselworld disputes his account.

Why Swatch Group Pulled Out of the World’s Biggest Watch Expo

July 25, 2018

July 25, 2018

For Swiss Watches, America Is Back

U.S. retail sales of Swiss luxury watches jumped by double digits in the first half of 2018

For Swiss Watches, America Is Back

July 16, 2018

July 16, 2018

How Richemont Plans to Survive in a Changing 21st Century Marketplace

E-commerce, the grey market, a wholesale watch slump, the pre-owned watch boom, and more

How Richemont Plans to Survive in a Changing 21st Century Marketplace

April 30, 2018

April 30, 2018

This Swiss CEO Is Sounding the Alarm on Apple

Frederique Constant’s Peter Stas details why the Swiss watch industry is heading for trouble—and can’t ignore smartwatches any longer.

This Swiss CEO Is Sounding the Alarm on Apple

April 11, 2018

April 11, 2018

The Watch Industry’s Biggest Showcase Is Fighting for Its Life

Baselworld will be back in 2019. After that, nobody knows.

The Watch Industry’s Biggest Showcase Is Fighting for Its Life

February 27, 2018

February 27, 2018

Before Apple, America Dominated Watchmaking. Then History Forgot

For one shining moment in the 1970s, LED watches were the future

Before Apple, America Dominated Watchmaking. Then History Forgot

December 8, 2017

December 8, 2017

Signs of Recovery for Japanese Watchmakers

Sales and profits improve after a brutal 2016.

Signs of Recovery for Japanese Watchmakers

November 21, 2017

November 21, 2017

How Swatch Started a Revolution

In the 1980s, quartz watches swerved from technology to fashion-first.

How Swatch Started a Revolution

November 16, 2017

November 16, 2017

A Concise History of the Quartz Watch Revolution

In the watch world, the 1970s changed everything.

A Concise History of the Quartz Watch Revolution

October 2, 2017

October 2, 2017

The World’s Most Valuable Watch Brand

Just how much is it worth?