Fashion
Used Rolexes, Pateks are bright spot in struggling watch world
By
Bloomberg
Published
August 15, 2025
The market for used luxury timepieces recorded its best half-year performance since early 2022, providing a bright spot in an otherwise grim landscape for high-end watches.
The Bloomberg Subdial Watch Index, which tracks the 50 most-traded timepieces by transaction value, gained 5.3% in the first half of 2025 — and extended that recovery in the third quarter. Rolex’s gold Daytona 116508 and Patek Philippe’s Aquanaut 5167A were among the top performers.
The rebound is modest compared with the pandemic-era boom, when housebound consumers, flush with cash, splashed out on fancy timepieces. Still, it comes as new watch sales face US tariffs — including a 39% levy on Swiss exports — and stubbornly low demand in Asia.
The second hand market is also benefiting as record gold prices drive up the cost of new watches and shoppers look to avoid delays that can occur when seeking to buy a new model, according to Christy Davis, founder of London-based Subdial, a watch dealer and trading platform.
In boutiques, high-demand new models are often tightly allocated, forcing would-be buyers to wait months or longer for delivery, while secondary platforms offer immediate access to a broader range of pieces, said Davis.
The increased prices for Rolex’s gold Daytona come during a boom for bullion amid tariffs and wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, while Patek Philippe’s Aquanaut is outperforming the Swiss brand’s hallmark Nautilus sports models, perhaps underscoring a growing trend toward restrained opulence, Davis said.
“There’s definitely something around people looking for more quiet luxury these days, and the Aquanaut is that when compared with the Nautilus.”
The primary watch market, by contrast, is suffering. Swiss watch exports dropped 5.6% in June, extending a year-long rout that’s seen declines in shipments to the US, the biggest export market, along with Japan and Hong Kong.
Watchmakers like Rolex, Patek Philippe and Audemars Piguet are also contending with the consequences of a stronger Swiss franc and a broader weakness in luxury demand. Swatch Group AG — whose high-end brands include Omega and Blancpain — reported a 7.1% drop in sales in the first half of the year, which it said was “exclusively attributable” to China, including Hong Kong and Macau.
Trump’s trade war has exacerbated the pain. Switzerland is reeling from the US imposition of the 39% tariff, the highest in the developed world. While that levy has now taken effect, the country is keeping up efforts to negotiate with the US, raising the prospect that it could yet change.
Fashion
H&M India unveils official Lollapalooza India 2026 collection
The collection features distinct women’s and men’s capsules designed for movement, comfort and self-expression.
H&M India has launched its official Lollapalooza India 2026 merchandise collection, marking its second year as festival sponsor.
The limited-edition drop features bold graphics, vibrant colours and relaxed silhouettes.
With separate women’s and men’s capsules, the range includes graphic tees, caps and tote bags designed for comfort, movement and self-expression from day to night performances.
“Lollapalooza India is a strong cultural moment, and a natural space for H&M to connect with a younger generation. Fashion today is about self-expression and confidence, and through this collaboration we reinforce our commitment to creating accessible, culturally relevant fashion that empowers individuality,” said Helena Kuylenstierna, Director, H&M India.
The range features graphic merchandise tees for both women and men, along with festival essentials such as caps and tote bags. Each piece is designed to move seamlessly from day sets to night performances.
Note: The headline, insights, and image of this press release may have been refined by the Fibre2Fashion staff; the rest of the content remains unchanged.
Fibre2Fashion News Desk (RM)
Fashion
Australia’s apparel imports fall, textiles rise in July-Nov 2025
Apparel imports (code **) eased to Au$*.*** billion (~$*.*** billion), compared with Au$*.*** billion a year earlier. In November ****, imports fell sharply by **.** per cent year on year to Au$*.*** billion (~$*.*** billion) from Au$*.*** billion. The November contraction points to retailers delaying replenishment amid weak consumer confidence, promotional stock overhangs, and a preference for tighter inventory management ahead of the peak sales season.
Imports of textile yarn, fabrics, and made-up articles (code **) increased *.** per cent to Au$*.*** billion (~$*.*** billion) from Au$*.*** billion in the same period last year. However, November **** shipments under this category slipped to Au$*** million, down from Au$*** million in November ****, indicating short-term moderation after earlier restocking by manufacturers and converters.
Fashion
CFDA & Ralph Lauren launch grants to boost US fashion manufacturing
The CFDA x NY Forward Grant Fund, developed with funding from both the New York State Department of State and Ralph Lauren Corporation (Ralph Lauren), will provide partially matching grants to designers and manufacturers based in New York City’s Garment District. The U.S. Fashion Manufacturing Fund, created with Ralph Lauren as founding partner, will support apparel manufacturers nationwide. Both programs aim to help companies to modernize equipment, expand services, and train workers – building the capacity and resilience of American fashion manufacturing.
CFDA has launched two new grant programmes with Ralph Lauren to strengthen American fashion manufacturing.
The CFDA x NY Forward Grant Fund will support New York City’s Garment District, while the US Fashion Manufacturing Fund will aid manufacturers nationwide, focusing on modernisation, workforce training, innovation and long-term industry resilience.
These programs build on the success of the CFDA’s Fashion Manufacturing Initiative (FMI), launched in 2013 in affiliation with the New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC), Andrew Rosen, and with the long-term support of Ralph Lauren, among others. To date, Ralph Lauren has contributed $2 million as FMI’s Premier Underwriter, enabling grants to 54 factories and positively impacting more than 2,000 jobs.
“Strengthening American manufacturing to ensure designers have local partners has long been at the core of CFDA’s mission,” said Steven Kolb, CEO and President of the CFDA. “We are proud to extend our decade-plus work with Ralph Lauren Corporation and expand to a national level while also continuing our local NYC investments alongside our first-ever partnership with the New York State Department of State.”
Together, these new grant programs mark a landmark commitment: sustaining New York’s Garment District while bolstering U.S. manufacturing nationwide — ensuring that American fashion continues to lead globally through innovation, craftsmanship and community.
“Our expanded partnership with the CFDA reflects Ralph Lauren’s enduring commitment to advancing innovation and supporting American fashion,” said Katie Ioanilli, Chief Global Impact & Communications Officer, Ralph Lauren Corporation. “This is not only an investment in our industry — it’s an investment in a vital part of American culture that we share with the world.”
Note: The headline, insights, and image of this press release may have been refined by the Fibre2Fashion staff; the rest of the content remains unchanged.
Fibre2Fashion News Desk (RM)
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