I think part of the problem is that just about all Swiss watch brands have taken the realisation that what they offer is a Veblen good to extremes; high price has become a selling point to the extent that the mass market can no longer buy their offerings.
That's kind of bad, as that's where the money is at.
I am a mechanical watch nut - I own a few dozen, mostly bought second hand, I do my own basic maintenance etc - I have to date bought one luxury watch new; an Omega Planet Ocean which close to a decade ago set me back USD 2,700 or so - by all means a lot of money, but doable for a working professional in a reasonably well off economy.
Today, as far as I can tell, a comparable model in the same range retails at $6,000, while cost of living overall has increased only 19% in the same period. Go figure.
That's kind of bad, as that's where the money is at.
I am a mechanical watch nut - I own a few dozen, mostly bought second hand, I do my own basic maintenance etc - I have to date bought one luxury watch new; an Omega Planet Ocean which close to a decade ago set me back USD 2,700 or so - by all means a lot of money, but doable for a working professional in a reasonably well off economy.
Today, as far as I can tell, a comparable model in the same range retails at $6,000, while cost of living overall has increased only 19% in the same period. Go figure.