Gold Market Trends
Luxury Watch Market Trends
Despite international economic woes, the higher end luxury side of the watch business looks like it is in rather decent shape. As for market trends, automatic timepieces are slowly recapturing market share. And while rose gold is still strong, cheaper stainless steel is gaining popularity especially when it is occasionally made a bit more elegant with the adding on of diamonds. And size-wise, wristwatches continue getting larger with 48 and 49-millimeter timepieces becoming increasingly common, despite the claims of some who say that the large watch trend has reached its peak. On the negative side, some Industry watchers have noted that economic concerns have sent a few “aspirational” brands with price-points between $1,000 and $3,000 into a troubled position. Also on the down side, Andrew Talbert, the C.O.O. of LGI Network, said that watch sales dropped dramatically: roughly 20 percent in September and October of 2008. Mr. Talbert notes that he thinks almost every price point has been hit hard except for two: the highest of the high end of twenty-five thousand dollars and up (because people in that bracket still have cash to spend), and the five hundred to eight hundred dollar range which has only fallen off slightly (possibly because some manufacturers have brought diamonds into that lower price range, which has not happened before). Talbert went on to note that even though the total quantity of watches sold has fallen, the average retail price rose from $758 in September 07 to nearly $890 this past September, almost 18% in one year. There are a few watch industry insiders who are predicting major changes at brand levels. Specifically, Middle-priced women’s timepieces are not doing well and neither are the very lowest price points?meaning a few brands will probably have to develop new strategies and perhaps try to reinvent themselves. The president of Roger Dubuis North America, Mr. Ronald Wolfgang, a longtime insider in the luxury watch business has suggested that perhaps repositioning is a good idea for some brands. He also said that higher priced wristwatches should be a bit easier to move than the lower priced models. He finally noted that young, wealthy, fashion aware watch buyers will remain interested in purchasing bigger watches with lots of complications. On the watch size front, another industry insider, John Pember, from Howard From Jewelers in Chicago, says that he thinks watches will continue to get bigger. He claims that of the sixty watches he currently has in stock, forty-five of them are oversized. On the other hand, the vice president of Topper Jewelers in California, Mr. Rob Caplan, states that he has seen a trend back to wristwatches that are large but not necessarily enormous. His reason for thinking this: Daniel Craig. Mr. Craig, the latest film actor to play James Bond wore a 42-mm Omega Seamaster in the 2008 film “Quantum of Solace” and thus Caplan asserts, because such a “strapping guy” wore a 40-42 mm watch in the movies, the buying public will follow his lead.
About the Author
Luxury watches has been a stable of the watchesonet.com business since 2002.
Is Gold the quickest way to ALL our hearts now?
With the downturn of the economy and stock market, I would think it safe to say that many people (like myself) are looking for safe investment vehicles to put what money they have (left) into. While there are many investment opportunities that may be considered “safe”, many people a) have failed to invest at an early age and are now behind the eight ball when it comes to retirement, and b) don’t really have a lot of excess liquid capital to invest. When someone like this makes the decision to invest, they can be riding a lot on the performance of the investment.
What about Gold? Is this a smart decision at this time? It has been hitting record levels recently. Will this trend continue, or will it be the next investment that will take a sled ride.
There is also the issue of price. Most individuals don’t have enough money to invest that would make the investment a retirement helper. What about gold start-ups like Silver Falcon Mining (SFMI.PK)? Could this be a possibility?
well, you know what goes up must come down. and the bigger they are the harder they fall.
What I’m saying is, I would exercise caution in buying something that has gone up so far and so quickly.
To time your investments, there’s a simple rule called “50% retracement rule” which is quite effective for getting an idea of when to buy and sell.
Google for it.
As for “safe investment vehicles”, why not stick your money in a “bear fund.” Bear funds makes money in a bear market. We’re in one. Makes sense to me.
Gold Analysis (GLD) 9/25/2010 Gold Market Trends Analysis & Commentary
