Whisperings of the luxury watch industry’s decay have been significantly overblown. These misunderstandings have been driven largely by investor and brand manager misconceptions, which threaten to undermine the health of the industry. An industry that has, over the last decade, morphed into a maelstrom of change, highs, and lows, but remains far from facing decline. It seems, even incorporating historical trends, that there will be a return to growth in the coming years.
The contraction in the size of the watch industry, alongside reductions in the quantity of key suppliers, can to an extent be attributed to falling motivation and in-house expenditure in watch companies. However, interestingly, the last decade has proved anything but boring for the industry, charting extreme volumes of consumer purchasing amid a pandemic to marked drops in luxury brand consolidation and financial strength.
In an exciting development for the world of horology, Wei Koh, a man of many attributes, has been appointed as President of the GPHG Jury. Recognized for his roles as a publisher, entrepreneur, journalist, and filmmaker, Koh now takes on the prestigious task of leading the jury for the 2026 Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève (GPHG).
This awards event is acknowledged as one of the most esteemed within the watchmaking industry. Koh’s fresh leadership is slated to commence on November 7, in Geneva. His predecessor and outgoing President, Nick Foulkes, has praised Koh’s unique vision and unbridled enthusiasm, and these qualities promise an exciting period of transformation for the GPHG.