Patek Philippe

Bitcoin’s record-breaking rally raises hopes for a revival in luxury watch sales as shoppers gain new wealth. But the crypto investors of today aren’t who they used to be.

While demand still lags behind supply, some observers believe Swiss timepieces will see renewed interest in the face of tech fatigue and disillusionment with luxury fashion.

Timepiece start-ups like Baltic, which went from Kickstarter campaign to producing $50K collector grade watches, and Christopher Ward, who is on track to reach $40 million in sales this year, are leveraging collector communities and innovation to take on high luxury watchmaking.

Pricey watches like Rolex, Patek Philippe and Audemars Piguet are flying off the shelves while customers leave their cheaper counterparts behind.

To continue to create shareholder value, the French luxury group may need to make at least one major acquisition.

The watch industry's biggest trade fair is promising an overhaul as attendance plummets. But as brands rely more on direct sales, some question the need for an annual gathering at all.

Swiss watchmakers are confident they can grow sales this year even in the face of a cooling Chinese economy thanks to strengthening demand elsewhere, executives told Reuters at an industry fair on Thursday.

The Stern family, which has owned the Swiss Watchmaker for four generations, has no plans of changing ownership.

The Swiss watchmaker could fetch as much as $10 billion, according to industry observers.

President Thierry Stern said the Chinese were likely buying more at home due to worries about issues such as stricter border controls.