Outwitting Import Tariffs and New Releases: The Watch Industry's Top Stories Explored

The Great Tariff Dilemmas of 2025 have pushed watch brands to think outside the box. Christopher Ward has come up with a new strategy that has grabbed the attention of the horological world. In a break from the direct-to-consumer model, the brand is now selling watches to its Dallas-based subsidiary, CW Inc. This subsidiary then sells and ships the watches to American consumers. While established brands like Rolex and the Swatch Group have employed such methods before, Christopher Ward’s move signifies a significant shift in industry practices.

The buzz in the watch industry extends with new releases such as the Seiko 5 Sports x Pepsi Limited Editions. The collaboration is an exciting blend of Pepsi’s conventional branding with Seiko’s timepiece craftsmanship, creating watches that are both aesthetically pleasing and functional.

The evolution of watch culture is also being shaped by the digital age. The role of social media in shaping watch culture has been a poignant talking point. Unlike car enthusiasts who sub-categorize precisely, watch collectors tend to be more universal, something that social media platforms enhance. This interaction has sparked intriguing discussions around how social media platforms could be influencing the creation of a monoculture within the watch world.