Within the field of luxury jewellery, few materials can claim to carry quite so much intrinsic cachet as platinum. Platinum has always possessed a certain unique allure due to its ability to indefinitely resist tarnish or wear, and also retain a smoothly shining aesthetic at all times. Used within many high-end jewellery collections, including many pieces within the recently celebrated assortment of Andrew Geoghegan jewellery, the price of platinum has tended to fluctuate more than gold over the years; yet in periods of stability it is invariably valued at around twice the worth of the latter. Lately, an increase in the popularity of platinum has been widely noted, especially within select Swiss luxury watches.
New figures from a 2013 review conducted by leading authority Johnson Matthey indicate that the hallmarking of platinum within the cases of Swiss luxury watches rose by a full 5% during 2012. This most grandiose of precious metals also remained within prevalent use in the UK bridal market, yet far stronger growth was evident within the Swiss watchmaking industry; ultimately totalling more than 9,500 timepieces. This growing momentum is accredited to the recovery of the demand for high status luxury items. The clamour for ultra-luxury watches reached its nadir in around 2010, as many horological enthusiasts struggled to indulge their passion in light of the recession, yet the latest reports show a definite turning of the tide is in progress.
Platinum usage in Swiss luxury timepieces is anticipated to undergo further growth to 7% by the close of 2013, and the Far East in particular has proved an especially lucrative market for these supreme instruments of horology. An undoubted contributor to this resurgence has been the latest addition to the venerated family of Rolex Daytona watches; the all-platinum Oyster Perpetual Cosmograph Daytona. This latest version of the iconic Daytona was launched at BaselWorld 2013, exactly 50 years since the original timepiece was disclosed in 1963, and this legendary chronograph is resplendently created from 950 platinum for the very first time. With a chestnut coloured Cerachrom ceramic bezel and a suave ice blue dial, this breathtaking chronometer has singlehandedly helped to propel platinum wristwatches back into the public eye.
With the slight decrease in some traditionally popular jewellery materials in recent years, such as yellow gold, the demand for Platinum within Swiss watches looks set to wax in forthcoming years. Platinum may always remain a relatively niche material within the spheres of luxury watchmaking, largely confined only to elite brand names such as Rolex and Breitling, but it has also seen historically strong performances in the broader jewellery sector too. Coveted because of its rarity, peerless longevity and understated elegance, it has become an important part within the collections of many luxury jewellery brand names. Here at Banks Lyon, we stock a wide selection of platinum luxury jewellery, including wedding rings, engagement rings and pendants. For more information about any of our huge range of prestige watches and jewellery, call us now on 01524 38 48 58.
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