Watchmaking Year 2025 – A Review of Highlights, Controversies and Innovations, Part 4: October, November and December
Before the watchmaking world descends into the busy and sometimes hectic preparation phase for the upcoming trade fairs and events, it's worth taking a look back at the past year in the watch industry. And while many things can be said about it, one thing that can't be said is that it was boring.
Watch year 2025, Part 1: January, February, March
Watch year 2025, Part 2: April, May, June
Watchmaking Year 2025, Part 3: July, August and September
Every month, we make it a point to remind ourselves and you of the most important events and new developments.
October 2025
Are women's watches out of fashion? Are categories of this kind outdated? To be honest, I'm not that strict about it and gladly leave the naming of their watches up to each brand.
Ultimately, it is the buyer who decides on which wrist a timepiece finds its place – regardless of which drawer it was previously put in. Drawers and categories They don't have to be perceived as restrictive, but can instead be seen as Guidance can be used.
Such a thing offers Breitling since last October with the new collection „Lady Premier“. Insight Luxury revealed Breitling's chief designer Pablo Widmer the background.
Ladies' watch, men's watch, unisex watch, children's watch, whatever: watches are for everyone. This, in a flippant way, was the motto of the 1. World Watch Day, which celebrated the art of watchmaking on October 10, 2025. And everyone was invited to participate.
Watchmaking for everyone is also the focus on watchexplorer.swiss. We will provide information about the innovative platform launched by Neuchâtel Tourism in October 2025. The platform offers a wide range of experiences, from guided tours to hands-on workshops, allowing visitors to discover Swiss watchmaking in their own way. Whether you're a novice or an expert, whether you're alone, with your family, or in a group – all watch enthusiasts are welcome.
Those watch enthusiasts who pay attention to the brand with the crown were surely surprised by the information about the Closure of up to 40 Rolex stores in Germany, which will be circulated in October 2025.
Watch enthusiasts are getting younger and younger, especially in the... Pre-owned market. According to a report published in October 2025 Study published by Chrono24 Gen Z is shaking up the pre-owned watch market.
And in October 2025, the September figures from the Federation of the Swiss Watch Industry revealed that Donald Trump's tariff antics had had a lasting impact on the Swiss watch market. Exports of Swiss-made watches to the United States plummeted by 55 percent. idown in September.
And also the German Association of the Jewelry and Watch Industry (BVSU) had to be informed by a clearly visible summer lull report.
But there was also good news. For example, they are increasing their staff this year. MeisterSinger and Maurice Lacroix present the watch portfolio at Inhorgenta 2026.
And also, Insight Luxury had this Headlines in October 2025:
François-Henry Bennahmias – the former Audemars Piguet CEO becomes an “honorable businessman”
The Watch - Stories and Savoir Faire: Audemars Piguet pays homage to the art of watchmaking
LVMH returns to sales growth in the third quarter
Exclusive pop-up event at Hilscher Jewellers with Frederique Constant
Gucci rescue? Kering sells beauty division to L'Oréal
eBay expands its authenticity check 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 showed you a [something] in October exciting selection of such timepieces.
November 2025
In November we launched a new series: „A Moment at the Maison“. Here we share our impressions gained during our visits to manufacturers and producers, taking you on a journey through the multifaceted world of watch and jewelry making. Our journey began in Switzerland, visiting three very different Maisons.
Mondaine & Luminox – Two brands, one philosophy
A Moment at Parmigiani Fleurier
In November 2025, we also launched the Insight Luxury section. Inhorgenta News-Room, in which we already demonstrate the diversity of Inhorgenta make it tangible.
The diverse world of watches also gathered at the Awarding of the Grand Prix d'Horlogerie de Genève (GPHG)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“.
They combined and amplified their extraordinary creativity in no time at all. Ulysse Nardin and Urwerk, by combining their already exceptional watch concepts in a joint project Original freak have bundled them together.
The diversity also extended to the ticking new releases Don't follow. Here's the proof.
Oh yes: Trump, tariffs and Rolex also caused a stir in November and a media rustling. Among other things, there was the Rolex appoints a new supervisory board member with excellent Trump contacts. But above all, the visit of a Swiss business delegation to the Oval Office provoked completely contrasting reactions. Among those present at the White House was Alfred Gantner of Partners Group (the largest shareholder in Breitling), Richemont-Chief Johann Rupert and RolexCEO Jean-Frédéric Dufour. And valuable gifts for the US president. One person who didn't like that is... Swatch Group CEO Nick Hayek.
But other companies also contributed to 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: Brilliant figures – yet growing concerns
US-based Timex Group acquires Daniel Wellington
eBay Awards 2025: Zeitauktion wins in the category "Old-timer".
“Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell: Deathwatch” – Hamilton ventures into a new genre
Swiss watch manufacturer Alpina visits jeweler Roller in Chemnitz
Representative study commissioned by Eppli: Pre-owned luxury on the rise
Richemont reports better half-year results than expected
Audemars Piguet presents new boutique concept
December 2025
you live mechanical watches, But sometimes struggle to understand how these many tiny components interact? Then I recommend a conversation with Mirko Heyne, Head of Research & Development at Nomos Glassworks. 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 moment fidelity, automated calculation series, or cycloids. Don't believe me? Then read this. Interview with Mirko Heyne.
The simple handling of complex relationships is also the focus of the latest development from Audemars Piguet: a watch box that uses AI to automatically set perpetual calendars on automatic watches.
Not a month without it Trump. This also applied to December 2025. On the 10th of that month, the 39 percent nightmare finally reached its provisional end, and the Swiss export industry awoke with a black eye, amounting to... 15 percent – retroactively from November 14th. However, the agreement is not yet legally valid.
Nevertheless, some watch manufacturers probably breathed a sigh of relief. Especially after a Export month November, which was best forgotten. The loss is over 50 percent. In December 2025, the Federation of the Swiss Watch Industry reported a significant improvement compared to 2024.
Furthermore, SINN with the expansion of the management team from within its own ranks as well as Audemars Piguet with the purchase of a watch from their own manufacture for 6.6 million euros.
And here are the last ones Insight Luxury Headlines of 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 the Swiss weather forecast
„"Seamaster Only" – a book about Omega's iconic diver's watch
A. Lange & Söhne opens a new location in London
Porsche Design celebrates founder FA Porsche with limited-edition collector's items.
H. Moser & Cie. goes Football – with running back Saquon Barkley as new brand ambassador
Recommerce 2025: What the eBay report means for watches, jewelry and the luxury market
And of course, the last one also offered Luxury Insight Month of the year 2025 a dazzling firework display Novelties.
That was it, that Watch year 2025! Raise a glass with me – preferably filled with champagne – to this exciting year that is now behind us, and to a exciting year 2026!
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