On July, 18, the Swatch Group published its first half-year activity report and announced a very strong performance. According to the group, it confirms the validity of its strategy:

 to keep its personnel employed and maintain its production capacities in order to be prepared for the upswing;
 to make long-term investments in product innovation and marketing;
 to regard inventories as an absolute prerequisite for growth and market share gains.

Here are the most exciting highlights of the first half of 2018.

Outlook second half-year 2018

As for the second half of the year, the group forecasts a very positive trend, as well as excellent opportunities for continued strong growth and further expansion of market share.

"Consumer demand, particularly from millennials, for authentic innovative brand products is greatly increasing on a worldwide scale, regardless of region or price segment. Consumers want real values, not only materially but also emotionally. This can be seen worldwide as a clear countertrend to total “commodity consumerism” (where everything is interchangeable and quickly loses its value). Increasing interest in pre-owned and vintage products favors strong, innovative and authentic brands. This is an immense opportunity for the 18 Swatch Group brands.

The Swatch Group, with its legendary brands such as Breguet, Harry Winston, Blancpain, Omega, Longines and also Tissot – a number of which are over 250 years old – is in an excellent position, with digital archives and brand museums which reflect this unique cultural heritage and the substance of the individual brands.

Consumers worldwide want to know more about the production and provenance of products (Swiss Made), not only with regard to sustainability, but also with respect to the uniqueness of the product and therefore its credibility. Besides its history, this includes technology such as the movement, new materials, design and esthetic and naturally, precision, such as, for example, in the case of the Omega Master Chronometer or the Longines Quartz V.H.P."

Numerous new collections

In the second semester, Blancpain will launch the Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe Day Date in 1970s style, as well as other classics such as the Villeret Tourbillon, updated to the newest technological standards.

Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe Day Date in 1970s style

Omega will introduce the Seamaster Professional 300m diver’s watch. This brand launched its second “Speedy Tuesday” on 10 July 2018 with the sale of 2 012 Speedmaster Limited Edition “Ultraman” watches, which sold out in a record time of one hour and 53 minutes.

Omega Speedmaster Limited Edition “Ultraman”

Longines will expand its Conquest Collection with another VHP watch (Very High Precision, a highly accurate quartz movement with a virtually perpetual calendar) with GMT flash setting.

Longines Conquest Collection VHP

Rado will introduce a new DiaMaster collection, called Ceramos, with the latest material combination - ceramic and rose gold.

Rado, DiaMaster collection, Ceramos