Watch Year 2025 – a review of highlights, controversies, and innovations, part 3: October, November, and December
Before the watch scene descends into the busy and sometimes hectic preparations for upcoming trade fairs and events, it is worth taking a look back at the past year in watches. And while there is much that can be said about it, it certainly cannot be accused of being boring.
Watch Year 2025, Part 1: January, February, March
Watch Year 2025, Part 2: April, May, June
Watch Year 2025, Part 3: July, August, and September
Every month, we take another look back and remind ourselves and you of the most important events and news.
October 2025
Are women’s watches out of fashion? Are categories of this kind outdated? To be honest, I’m not so strict about this and am happy to leave the naming of their watches to each brand itself.
Ultimately, it is the buyer who decides which wrist a timepiece will adorn—regardless of which category it was previously placed in. Categories and classifications do not have to be perceived as restrictive; instead, they can be used as a guide.
Breitling has been offering just that since last October with its new Lady Premier collection. Insight Luxury spoke to Breitling’s head designer Pablo Widmer to find out more.
Women’s watches, men’s watches, unisex watches, children’s watches – whatever: watches are for everyone. Put bluntly, this was the motto of the first World Watch Day, which celebrated the art of watchmaking on October 10, 2025. And everyone was invited to join in.
Watchexplorer.swiss is also all about watchmaking for everyone. We will provide information about this innovative platform launched by Neuchâtel Tourism in October 2025. The platform offers a range of experiences, from guided tours to hands-on workshops, allowing visitors to discover Swiss watchmaking for themselves. Whether you are a novice or an expert, alone, with your family, or in a group – all watch lovers are invited.
Watch enthusiasts who follow the brand with the crown were certainly surprised by the news of the closure of up to 40 Rolex stores in Germany, which made the rounds in October 2025.
Incidentally, watch enthusiasts are getting younger and younger, especially in the pre-owned market. According to a study published by Chrono24 in October 2025, Gen Z is shaking up the trade in pre-owned watches.
And in October 2025, the September figures from the Federation of the Swiss Watch Industry revealed that Donald Trump’s tariff antics had caused lasting turmoil in the Swiss watch market. Exports of Swiss-made watches to the United States plummeted by 55 percent in September.
The German Jewelry and Watch Industry Association (BVSU) also reported a clearly visible summer slump in October 2025.
But there was also good news. This year, MeisterSinger and Maurice Lacroix are strengthening the watch portfolio at Inhorgenta 2026.
And Insight Luxury also featured these headlines in October 2025:
François-Henry Bennahmias – the former Audemars Piguet CEO becomes an “honorable merchant”
The Watch – Stories and Savoir Faire: Audemars Piguet pays tribute to the art of watchmaking
LVMH returns to sales growth in the third quarter
Exclusive pop-up event at Hilscher Jewelers with Frederique Constant
Gucci rescue? Kering sells beauty division to L’Oréal
eBay expands authenticity verification for jewelry and watches in Germany
German Watch Museum Glashütte: Happy Birthday, Astronomical Art Clock!
IWC. Curated.: Exclusive collection of historic timepieces in selected boutiques
And, of course, we also presented an exciting selection of such timepieces in October.
November 2025
In November, we launched a new series: “A Moment at the Maison.” Here, we share with you our impressions from our visits to manufacturers and producers, taking you on a journey through the multifaceted world of watch and jewelry making. We kicked things off in Switzerland, visiting three very different maisons.
Mondaine & Luminox – Two brands, one philosophy
A moment at Parmigiani Fleurier
In November 2025, we also opened the Inhorgenta News Room on Insight Luxury, where we are already bringing the diversity of Inhorgenta to life.
The diverse world of watchmaking also came together at the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève (GPHG) awards ceremony on November 13, 2025. A total of 20 awards were presented. The most coveted, the “Aiguille d’Or” Grand Prix, went to Breguet’s “Classique Souscription 2025.”
Ulysse Nardin and Urwerk have combined and amplified their extraordinary creativity by bringing together their already exceptional watch concepts in the joint Ur-Freak.
The diversity did not diminish with the ticking new releases either. Here is the proof.
Oh yes: Trump, tariffs, and Rolex also caused a stir and media hype in November. Among other things, there was the appointment of a new Rolex supervisory board member with excellent Trump connections. Above all, however, the visit of a Swiss business delegation to the Oval Office provoked very mixed reactions. Among those present at the White House were Alfred Gantner from Partners Group (largest shareholder in Breitling), Richemont CEO Johann Rupert, and Rolex CEO Jean-Frédéric Dufour. And valuable gifts for the US president. One person who did not like this was Swatch Group CEO Nick Hayek.
But other companies also made headlines in November 2025:
Citizen sells stake in watch movement specialist La Joux-Perret to LVMH
Baume & Mercier CEO plans management buyout of Richemont brand
German jewelry and watch industry: Impressive figures – yet growing concerns
US-based Timex Group acquires Daniel Wellington
eBay Awards 2025: Zeitauktion wins in the “Veteran” category
Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell: Deathwatch – Hamilton ventures into a new genre
Swiss watch manufacturer Alpina visits Roller Jewelers in Chemnitz
Representative study commissioned by Eppli: Pre-owned luxury goods on the rise
Richemont reports better-than-expected half-year results
Audemars Piguet unveils new boutique concept
December 2025
Are you passionate about mechanical watches, but sometimes struggle to understand how all those tiny components work together? Then I recommend talking to Mirko Heyne, Head of Research & Development at Nomos Glashütte. He explains complex relationships, complicated issues, and modern research methods in a way that is both understandable and entertaining. Whether it’s about rotational or momentary accuracy, automated calculation series, or cycloids. Don’t take my word for it. Read the interview with Mirko Heyne here.
The latest development from Audemars Piguet also focuses on the simple handling of complex relationships: a watch box that uses AI to independently adjust the settings of perpetual calendars in automatic watches.
Not a month goes by without Trump. That was also true in December 2025. On the 10th of that month, the 39 percent nightmare finally came to a temporary end, and the Swiss export industry woke up with a 15 percent black eye—retroactive to November 14. However, the agreement is not yet legally valid.
Nevertheless, some watch manufacturers will probably have breathed a sigh of relief, especially after a November export month that was best forgotten. The Federation of the Swiss Watch Industry reported a decline of over 50 percent compared to the same month in 2024 in December 2025.
Other topics of conversation included SINN expanding its management team from within its own ranks and Audemars Piguet purchasing a watch from its own manufactory for €6.6 million.
And here are the latest Insight Luxury headlines for 2025:
Strategic restructuring of Gucci’s parent company Kering continues
LVMH Watch Week announces venue for January 2026
ID Genève inaugurates Switzerland’s first solar oven and welcomes a prominent guest
Why MoonSwatch enthusiasts are interested in Switzerland’s weather forecast
Seamaster Only – a book about Omega’s iconic diving watch
A. Lange & Söhne opens new location in London
Porsche Design celebrates founder F. A. Porsche with limited-edition collector’s items
H. Moser & Cie. goes football – with running back Saquon Barkley as its new brand ambassador
Recommerce 2025: What the eBay report means for watches, jewelry, and the luxury market
And, of course, the last Insight Luxury Month of 2025 also offered a dazzling array of new products.
That was it, the watch year 2025! Raise your glass with me—preferably filled with champagne—to this exciting year that is now behind us, and to an exciting 2026!
