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Swiss Watch Industry Takes Beating in May

Several recent reports show the Swiss watch industry facing it's largest challenge since the quartz crisis of the late 1970s, early 1980s:

• Swiss watch exports in May were down 27.6 percent compared to the same period last year.
• Sales in May of Swiss watches dropped 25 percent year-over-year, with the US market dropping by 42.7 percent.
• Franck Muller, a standout for most of the decade, cut almost half of its workforce last month.
• Higher-end watches were especially hit hard: exports of watches costing more than 3,000 Swiss francs ($2,760) fell 30 percent in May.

But it's not all bad news--Patek Philippe, one of the last major independent Geneva-based watch manufacturers, told Swiss newspaper L'Agefi recently that sales are flat to slightly up in 2009 so far.

Anyone surprised by how badly the industry has been hit?

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Are Watches that Glow in the Dark Radioactive?

Many watches use tritium to illuminate watch hands and markers, making them visible in the dark. Tritium is a radioactive isotope, so there have been some concerns as to it's safety. Indeed, watchmakers working with the material are required to do so with special workbenches that are equipped with a vacuum hood to remove small radioactive particles and harmful vapors. Once they are placed inside the watch, however, they pose no further threat to either the assembler or the wearer. Studies have backed this industry claim up.

Despite studies that show that radiation exposure from a watch with tritium is negligible, fear from potential buyers has led some watchmakers to introduce new materials, such as LumiNova and LumiBrite. While meeting minimum standards for visibility these materials do not last as long as tritium and also require longer charging periods.

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Swiss Watchmakers Hit the Skids

Swiss watchmakers are preparing for the steepest drop in exports in at least 20 years as customers worry about the recession and their jobs. Swiss watch exports cratered 24 percent in the first four months of this year, with some predicting it could be at least two or three years before there was a return to 2008 level. Also likely: a return to more understated timepieces, experts say.

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eBay Pulse: The Most Popular Watch 'Searches'

According to eBay Pulse, the most popular search terms (by number of searches) in the watch category are:

1. watch
2. watches
3. rolex
4. omega
5. mens watches
6. breitling
7. automatic
8. seiko
9. hamilton
10. tag heuer

 Any of these terms surprising? See how this compares to a list from 18 months ago.

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What Is a Shock Resistant Watch?

You've seen it advertised before: this [insert name of watch here] is shock resistant. But what does that really mean?

According to the U.S. government, a watch is considered shock resistant if it can withstand an impact equal to that of being dropped onto a wood floor from a height of 3 feet.

In case you were wondering, we don't recommend that you test this definition.

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Memorial Day Sale: Save up to 85% on a New Swiss Watch

Now through Tuesday May 26th: save up to 85 percent off retail on more than 100 watches at the Swiss Watch Boutique store, including Swiss Army, Mondaine, Luminox, and Hamilton watches. But hurry! This special offer is selling out fast.

> Shop now.

Rare Patek Philippe Sets Auction Record

The worldwide economic recession was no where to be seen at Antiquorum's "Important Collector's Wristwatches, Pocket Watches, Clocks and Horological Tools" auction, held May 9-10 in Geneva.

The highlight was sale of a vintage Patek Philippe's Ref. 1436 (see photo)--a stainless steel split-seconds chronograph, and one of only two such timepieces known to exist today. The very rare timepiece, produced in 1945, set a world record price for a steel watch by fetching $1,126,932.

Overall, Antiquorum's auction featured 331 lots. Of these, 80 percent were sold, netting a total of $5.9 million.

> Read more

Tage Olsen by Angular Momentum

We are pleased to announce the arrival of the Tage Olsen by Angular Momentum, the avante garde and critically acclaimed timekeepers from Switzerland.

This extraordinary wristwatch is no longer in production, due to the incredibly long delays in shipping the special low-profile ETA movement.

We have both the 7019 silver dial model (pictured left) and the 7010 black dial model in very limited quantities.

Don't miss this rare opportunity to own a special collectible that you can treasure for a life-time.

> Find out more now.

Industry Groups Team-up to Stamp out Fake Swiss Watches

The Fondation de la Haute Horlogerie (FHH) and the Federation of the Swiss Watch Industry (FH) have joined forces to stamp out fake watches.

According to a press release from the FHH, the campaign will center around hard-hitting visuals and one simple message: "Fake Watches Are For Fake People."

The stepped up effort is in response to the rapidly growing counterfeit business, said to be worth as much as $360 billion a year. This includes more than 40 million fake Swiss watches.

These counterfeit timepieces damage the sales, reputation and capacity for innovation of the world's fine watch brands, according to the press release.

> Read more

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Mother's Day Swiss Watch Sale

Visit Swiss Watch Boutique for our Mother's Day Swiss Watch Sale.

Save up to 85 percent off retail now. Limited time, limited quantities.

> Shop now