Jewelry Sales Up, Watches Down at Richemont

Richemont reported another increase in jewelry sales in the three months to 30 June, but saw its watch revenue dip again.

The Swiss luxury goods conglomerate said its jewelry maisons – including Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels, Buccellati, Piaget and Vhernier – saw sales increase by 11 per cent at constant exchange rates during Q1 FY2026 to EUR 2.914bn (USD 3.359bn).

It marks the third consecutive quarter of double-digit growth. In Q4 2025 the increase was 8 per cent.

Richemont said sales had been boosted in Europe, Americas, and Middle East & Africa by a robust recovery in tourism local spending. All regions posted increases, except for Japan.

But watch sales declined by 7 per cent to EUR 824m (USD 950m), mainly due to downturns in China and Japan, but offset by double-digit growth in the Americas.

Consumers were cautious, switching from high-end to mid-range watches from Richemont’s brands – A. Lange & Söhne, Baume & Mercier, IWC Schaffhausen, Jaeger-LeCoultre, Panerai, Piaget, Roger Dubuis and Vacheron Constantin.

Watches and jewelry account for almost 90 per cent of Richemont’s total revenue (the rest is fashion and accessories).

Across the entire group sales increased 6 per cent to EUR 5.4bn (USD 6.23bn) despite macroeconomic volatility.

Source: DCLA

 Watches of Switzerland Annual Revenue Hits Record

Watches of Switzerland’s group revenue soared 25% for the full fiscal year as it expanded its store network and demand for luxury timepieces rose.

The UK-based retailer achieved sales of GBP 1.54 billion ($2.02 billion) for the 52 weeks that ended April 30, the company said last week. That amount is a record for the firm and has placed it “significantly ahead” of where it expected to be when it released a long-term strategic plan in 2021, it explained.

Sales grew 10% in the UK and Europe to GBP 890 million ($1.17 billion), driven by the opening of 15 new UK showrooms, as well as its first in Germany. In the US, revenue jumped 52% to GBP 653 million ($855 million), with the company opening six mono-brand shops and a Rolex store. The US now represents 42% of total group revenue, the company noted. The rise was also the result of increased appetite for luxury watches, which continues to outpace supply. Watches of Switzerland’s client registration for timepieces is growing, as is the average selling price per piece, it said.

Profit for the period advanced 21% year on year to GBP 121.8 million ($159.5 million).

“Luxury watch sales grew 28% year on year, representing 87% of group revenue,” said Watches of Switzerland CEO Brian Duffy. “Luxury jewelry sales increased at a more modest 10% in the year, reflecting a tougher macroeconomic backdrop and focus on full-price sales. Following two years of exceptional performance, sales are significantly ahead of plan, by over GBP 200 million [$261.9 million].”

During the year, Watches of Switzerland also opened five shops in Sweden and Denmark, and a boutique in Ireland. In fiscal 2024, it will debut a flagship Rolex store on London’s Old Bond Street and a shop in Manchester, UK, as well as a joint venture with watch brand Audemars Piguet. The company expects revenue of between GBP 1.65 billion ($2.16 billion) and GBP 1.7 billion ($2.23 billion) for the full year.

Source: DCLA