TW Steel teams up with Australian gold medallist

Oversize watch brand TW Steel has signed up Australian five-time Olympic gold medallist and 11-time World Champion in freestyle swimming Ian Thorpe as its latest brand ambassador. Thorpe is the Dutch brand’s first Australian ambassador since it opened a subsidiary office n Sydney in June.

Thorpe joined TW Steel chief executive and owner Jordy Cobelens at Sydney’s Nader Jewellers’ annual VIP night.

TW Steel is distributed in the UK by Swico and stocked at retailers including House of Fraser, Ernest Jones and Goldsmiths.

Pictured: Ian Thorpe and Jordy Cobelens show off their TW Steel timepieces

Swatch accused of price fixing in Australia

Swatch Group has been accused of price fixing in Australia by the brand’s former Australian general manager Mark Watson, as reported by Australian trade publication Jeweller.

Watson claims that he was dismissed from the company in November 2008 after refusing to enforce Swatch’s preferred retail prices. He is now suing the watch company in County Court in Australia for loss and damages.

The price fixing allegations are reported to affect Swatch’s premium brands including Omega, Breguet, Tiffany & Co and Tissot. Watson has accused Swatch of indulging in price fixing to maintain its exclusivity of these top-end brands.

To read the full story on Jeweller News Magazine, click here

Pictured: Omega gent's Constellation Skeleton self-winding watch

BrandAlley takes over Oxford Circus with FlashWalk

Luxury discount e-tailer BrandAlley, which sells jewellery and watch brands including Missoma and Baume & Mercier, sent six models to carry out a FlashWalk (that’s a flash catwalk) at the new diagonal crossing at London’s Oxford Circus on November 20. The models took centre stage at one of the world’s busiest shopping spots wearing nothing but body paint and jewellery from Dyrberg/Kern, which is running a flash sale of its watches at BrandAlley later this week.

Spectators, including tourists and policemen, stood with mouths agape as the nearly naked models dropped their trench coats and transformed the pedestrian crossing into an impromptu catwalk. On their fronts, the models were painted with clothing to represent key looks from this year’s global Fashion Weeks and on their backs “The sale goes on and on and on” was painted to reflect BrandAlley’s new slogan “The non-stop designer sale”.

The FlashWalk has been used to create an online viral video. You can watch the video by clicking here.

BrandAlley has also relaunched its website this week with a fresh look and increased search functions.

Watch brand Lancaster to create jewellery line

While doing a bit of freelance work, I've rediscovered Lancaster watches. I've seen this brand in the flesh a few times before but it's not one of the best known brands in the UK. However, should Santa be reading, it's certainly on my Christmas list this year.

Also, just read on its website that Lancaster is currently developing a range of jewellery and accessories - should be interesting. The brand also creates sunglasses, small leather goods, bags, cufflinks and writing implements.

Watch sales soar in September

Sales of watches in September jumped 30.4% in the UK compared to the previous year, according to analysis conducted by GfK. However this impressive increase only equated to an uplift of 3.4% in terms of value due to a decrease in pricing over the year.

A major driver of the year-on-year sales growth was the strong performance of ladies’ watches. Ladies’ watches were, on average, responsible for 49% of all watches sold. However, this increased to 51% in September, up from 45% in September 2008.

Pricing played a key factor with the average price for a ladies watch in September being the lowest it has been during the duration of GfK’s audit to date at £41, compared to £59 in September 2008.

The number of watches sold at specialist jewellery stores fell in September by 1.8% but value increased 7.4% with average prices rising from £212 to £232.

Elsewhere, average watch prises tumbled. In department stores the average price of watches decreased from £89 to £73 and at general retailers prices slipped from £25 to £18.

Pictured: diamond watch, £46, Coloured Rocks

Thierry Stern appointed president of Patek Philippe

Thierry Stern has been appointed as president of luxury watch brand Patek Philippe, continuing the family-owned tradition of the business for the fourth generation. Stern was also named president of the board of directors.

As part of the Patek Philippe family, Stern grew up in the world of watchmaking and took a hands-on role in the watchmaking industry from 1990, gaining experience in production workshops and business management as well as working with retailers and subsidiaries in Germany and the US.

From 1997 to 1998, Stern was in charge of the Benelux market and in 1998, he was appointed head of the creation department and took part in group strategic decisions by taking over the position of vice-president.

Patek Philippe is run by a management committee currently composed of Thierry Stern, honorary president Philippe Stern and chief executive Claude Peny.

CMJ reports revived demand for higher-end pieces

Demand for precious jewellery, particularly D- and E-grade diamond pieces, was revived at the August meeting of buying group the Company of Master Jewellers (CMJ), which attracted a record 500 delegates to the event at Chesford Grange. At previous meetings since the recession hit, CMJ members had been focused on topping up stock and buying into fashion lines such as beads but the mood has significantly shifted.

Sales of the CMJ’s own diamond brand MasterCut rocketed 500% in the eight weeks to September 15, and the group’s 12 key diamond suppliers reported that the August buying meeting was their best in 18 months – exceeding pre-recession meetings.

CMJ chief executive Willie Hamilton said: “There was a great buzz at the meeting and buyers are now realising that they have to shop across the mix. At the beginning of the year people were so cautious but now they realise that precious jewellery has held its value.”

Quality watches from brands including Raymond Weil moved well despite fears from independent retailers that multiples will repeat the heavy festive watch discounting experienced on the high street last year.

Platinum sales were said to be “exceptional” and there was increased interest in palladium jewellery as a result of the hallmark coming into place in July. Gold, however, evoked more caution from buyers due to continuing rising prices which broke the $1,000 per oz barrier in September and could be set to rise again.

Rox invests £1m on first store outside Glasgow

Rox is investing £1m on its fourth shop, which is its biggest to date and its first outside of Glasgow. The retailer has signed for a 1,353 sq ft boutique on the ground floor of new development Union Square in Aberdeen and the store will be the city’s first fashion-forward luxury jeweller, stocking brands such as Stephen Webster and ToyWatch.

The store at Union Square, which will be the only new shopping centre to open in Scotland this year, is part of a wider plan to increase Rox’s empire. The retailer has enjoyed “significant year-on-year growth” and plans to expand, focusing on opening new stores in shopping centres.

Rox co-founder Kyron Keogh said: “Aberdeen’s economy has been resilient throughout the recession and Union Square’s strong fashion edge complements our contemporary range. The jewellery market in Aberdeen is currently dominated by very traditional jewellers so Rox will offer Aberdeen customers a completely unrivalled shopping experience.”

The shop, which will create 10 new jobs in the city, will open at the end of October in the development alongside a wealth of contemporary fashion retailers, eateries and a cinema. Azendi, which was shortlisted for Multiple Retailer of the Year at the 2009 UK Jewellery Awards, has also taken a unit at the £250m Hammerson development.

Ingersoll refocuses on UK market

After building a successful global sales network, Ingersoll is turning its attention back to the UK, which it admits it has neglected while focusing on building the brand internationally.

The UK team, headed up by chief executive Richard Tibber and general sales manger Simon Gilham, will focus on building a stronger network of stockists. Ingersoll said that it hopes to replicate the success that it has achieved in its leading market Germany, which has more than 1,000 independent retail stockists, and will target “independent high-end jewellers and small multiples”.

Ingersoll said that at this time it has no plans to open any independent Ingersoll shops.

To support the UK push, the brand will run ad campaigns in the run up to Christmas in leading consumer publications including GQ and Vogue. It has also appointed specialist watch and jewellery PR company TTH Media and will host a UK “relaunch event” in October or November.

A spokesperson for Ingersoll said: “Ingersoll has been holding back from the UK market over the past few years whilst the brand has been widely marketed throughout the world. Now that the brand has enjoyed huge success in so many territories we are refocusing on the UK.”

Zeon to manufacture and distribute Braun watches

Ingersoll manufacturer Zeon, a wholly owned subsidiary of Herald Group, the largest manufacturer and distributor of watches and clocks in the UK, has formed an exclusive worldwide partnership with electricals brand Braun to develop and produce clocks and watches under the Braun brand. The first fruits of the collaboration will debut at Swiss trade show BaselWorld in March.

Braun said that its decision to partner with Zeon would strengthen its watch and clock division, which it believes will benefit from Zeon’s specialised market knowledge.

Zeon managing director Richard Tibber said: “We will be developing a full range of Braun clocks and watches, and will be reintroducing some of the past designs which today have become collectables, as well as new, exciting and innovative products.”

Zeon was one of the first companies to be involved in licensing fashion and consumer brands for watches and clocks. Its diverse portfolio of brands includes Ingersoll, Bench, Fiorucci and Superdry. Children’s licensed watch collections include Ben 10, Fame, Hello Kitty, and High School Musical. Zeon is also a major supplier of OEM watches and clocks.

Citizen watches at 70% off

There are a few days left to grab yourself a Citizen watch at up to 70% off from luxury discounter BrandAlley.co.uk. There’s a range of both ladies’ and men’s watches including Eco-Drive, diamond-set and chronograph models from £45. Sale ends on Sunday.

Pictured: Citizen gents Eco-Drive Calibre 9000

Fresh apprentices for A. Lange & Söhne

Last month, A. Lange & Söhne commenced its 2009/2010 apprenticeships. Seven school leavers – six girls and one boy – have joined the three-year programme, which is in its 13^th year.

The students initially underwent a week’s training at the Lange Watchmaking School, located in the historic family building, and then studied watchmaking theory at the external section of the Dippoldiswalde Technical College in Glashütte for Watchmaking and Precision Technology.

During their first year, young watchmakers learn the basic skills of metalworking: filing, sawing, drilling and turning. They also familiarise themselves with different materials and repair large clocks such as alarm clocks or wall clocks.

It is not until the second year of the programme that they start to repair pocket watches. In the third year, apprentices are taught how to assemble mechanical wristwatches and are shown the steps involved in creating a Lange watch.

After completing the apprenticeship scheme, the students are well equipped for a job in the watchmaking industry. Just like the graduates before them, many will form part of A. Lange & Söhne main specialists.

Pink jewellery and watches help H Samuel raise money for cancer charity

H Samuel will raise money for cancer charity Breakthrough Breast Cancer in October by donating 10% of the sale price of 10 pink items during the month. Pink watches and jewellery in the sale include a 25th anniversery edition Guess watch, 9ct gold pink crystal stud earrings, a silver heart necklace with a pink stone and a Sekonda bracelet watch.

Watch brands still partying on in the recession

Jewellery brands are increasingly trying to lower marketing costs in the recession. Many are cutting advertising, or at least making sure it is very targeted, and taking PR in house (a very risky move if you ask me). But watch brands seem to be fareing much better, with some seeming to continue to have pockets deeper than the Grand Canyon.

Casio is one such brand. I went to a party for the company’s G-Shock watch brand in London a couple of months ago. While the excesses at the bash were not enormous, celebs such as Dizzee Rascal, Pixie Lott, George Lamb and Mark Ronson were out in force. Whether or not they were paid to be there is unclear but getting celebs to turn up to a party does usually entail giving them some sort of payment.

And last week, Casio has replicated the event in New York. The bash was just as glam as the London event and as live music forms the core of these Summer of Fun parties (Casio’s name for the series of events it hosts over the summer months), out trotted out Kanye West. I’ve heard that Casio paid the rap star $500,000 for a 45-minute set – that’s more than a grand a minute. Incredible.

Another jewellery brand with a big budget for parties is Thomas Sabo. Once a year, the brand hosts an international press party. Much to my disgust, it was held in London this year, meaning that I got the circle line to the event rather than a plane. However, the location of Somerset House was truly incredible and the brand spared no expense in flying over international journalists, providing endless cocktails and also getting Moloko frontwoman and solo artist Roisin Murphy to perform. Also, Alex James of Blur fame was there – not a bad coup for Thomas Sabo as it was the night before Blur’s first comeback gig at Hyde Park.

Seems that in all the doom and gloom, some big brands are still willing to splash the cash on boosting their profiles.