What Enthusiasts Have Wrong – Openwork Episode 42
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Dispelling the Watch Industry's Top Myths
Having made the transition from watch enthusiasts to industry insiders and retailers in particular, we’ve come to realize that there are often big gaps between what commands attention in watch media and among collectors vs. the commercial realities.
Many of the so-called “truths” we hold sacred as enthusiasts aren’t really true after all. So today on Openwork, we’re myth busting – taking a look at some of the widely held beliefs in the watch community that are actually in fact misconceptions.
We sourced many of the so-called truths from our own survey data as well as from watch media and public sources – e.g., Reddit, watch forums, and social media. Then we compared those claims to a wide variety of sources:
Industry Reports & Market Data
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Morgan Stanley × LuxeConsult Swiss Watch Industry Report (2023, 2024) – Subscription Required
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Source for market share, brand revenue, distribution trends, boutique vs. AD growth
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Source for buyer preferences, distribution channels, and flipping behavior
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FHS (Fédération de l’industrie horlogère suisse) Export Data (2023, 2024)
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Source for overall watch exports, value vs. volume, sport vs. dress category data
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Source for resale price trends, LE resale value, flipping patterns
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Used for consumer demand, search volume, resale trends
Corporate Reports & Earnings Calls
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Richemont FY2023 Annual Report & Earnings Call
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Commentary on SKU rationalization, retail strategy, AD partnerships
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Commentary on TAG Heuer, Zenith, and Hublot retail strategy (DTC vs. wholesale)
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Hosted by Asher Rapkin and Gabe Reilly, co-founders of Collective Horology, Openwork goes inside the watch industry.
You can find us online at collectivehorology.com. To get in touch with suggestions, feedback or questions, email podcast@collectivehorology.com.