According to the latest figures, Swiss watch exports have posted impressive results in the first half of 2014, with global demand for luxury timepieces increasing by 3% in this timeframe. In June alone, more than £1 billion of Swiss watches (equating to more than 2 million individual products) were exported to various countries around the globe; a result that represents a year-on-year increase of 1.4% in value. The total cost of Swiss watch exports in 2014 currently stands at £6.85 billion, so to say that the industry remains healthy is a gross understatement.
However, these statistics are not just illuminating from the perspective of luxury watch exports, but they can also tell us an awful lot about the current trends that are in circulation. According to WatchPro, the interest in Swiss watches has notably increased at almost every price level, so it was not just especially accessible or exclusive collections that were performing well. In addition, there was a profound tilt away from certain metal timepieces – especially titanium – although exports of steel and precious metal timepieces remained fairly stable.
Perhaps the most interesting observation to be taken from this study is the remarkable growth in the popularity of timepieces that are manufactured from new ‘modern’ materials. Ceramic and carbon fibre watches were among the leading trend-setters, increasing in demand by almost 30%. This latter popularity is perhaps to be expected, as more and more prestige wristwatches are now utilising these materials to great effect, and they are no longer being viewed as an oddity within ocular horology, but as an integral part of it instead.
Both ceramic and carbon-fibre are now very well established, and a cursory glance at the workmanship of one Swiss watchmaker, Omega, for example, easily reveals the stature that these materials have now built up. Perhaps the most venerated ceramic watch in recent years has been the Omega Speedmaster Darkside of the Moon watch (see left); a piece that we have featured several times on our blog, and that also represents one of the leading watches in the use of ceramic, being seamlessly crafted from a single unblemished block of zirconium oxide.
Collections like the Omega 
Speedmaster range are among the most respected watch families in the world, so the inclusion of ceramic within such iconic assemblages is naturally going to raise its appeal. The same principle is true of the use of carbon-fibre, which has been included on the dial of the Omega Speedmaster HB-SIA Co-Axial GMT chronograph watch. This timepiece is designed to complement the exploits of Solar Impulse; the venture that aims to fly around the earth using only solar power for energy. Once again, such an attractively themed timepiece is always going to cement the appeal of the materials it utilises, in this case carbon-fibre.
Clearly, watchmaking now encompasses the use of far more materials than at any other point in history, and these substances are proving integral when the latest trends are being established. At Banks Lyon Jewellers, we are proud to possess an unparalleled collection of luxury watches and jewellery, and you’ll not find a better example of leading horological trends than you will when scrutinising what we have in stock. To find out more about our products, including either of the Omega watches mentioned in this article, please contact us by calling 01524 38 48 58 or email [email protected] and we’ll be happy to help with your enquiry.
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