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Fame and Fortune

The celebrity effect on the value of watches

From Novak Djokovic and Hublot to Leo di Caprio and Rolex or Zendaya and Bulgari, luxury timepieces have long been part of the star-studded spotlight. But just how much does a celebrity association actually boost the value of a watch?

That’s the million-dollar question – or in some cases, much more.

In the absence of hard numbers from brands on endorsement fees or pre- and post-campaign performance, our Watch Editor and economist, Dr Andrew Hildreth set out to provide the most rigorous estimates yet. By diving into auction records and dealer data, he’s uncovered telling patterns about the price premiums attached to celebrity connections – paid or otherwise.

From the left: Paul Newman’s Rolex Daytona ref. 6239, sold at Phillips’ Winning Icons, 2017, © Phillips. Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Chronograph End of Days, 1999. Crash de Cartier, Paris 1991, limited edition, © Wristcheck.com.

THE THREE TYPES OF CELEBRITY INFLUENCE

My analysis breaks celebrity impact into three categories: accidental exposure, historical association, and paid endorsement and includes only three watches due to the scarcity of data.

The Unintentional Endorsement

Sometimes, a celebrity simply wears a watch – no sponsorship, no…

Business

Richard Benc – The Underd0g

Breaking all the rules

After witnessing the long queues to the Studio Underd0g stand snaking around the London venue for British Watchmakers’ Day back in March, our Editor-in-Chief Julia Pasarón couldn’t resist finding out more about the man causing the disruption: Richard Benc. Richard ended up in watchmaking more out of chance than passion. With a degree in product design, […]

Business, Lifestyle, luxury shopping

Harrods’ 175th anniversary

The world’s most famous luxury department store celebrates 175 years of retail magic

Arguably the most famous luxury department store in the world, Harrods is marking its 175th anniversary with all manner of exciting celebrations and special-edition products. From its iconic teddy bears to its renowned Festival of Lights, there are many highlights in store for customers throughout the year. Embodying the very essence of luxury, tradition and […]

Business

Can helicopter money save us
from the Covid crisis?

by Gregory Perdon, co-CIO, Arbuthnot Latham.

The world’s central banks (US Federal Reserve, Bank of England, Bank of Japan and the European Central Bank) play a crucial role in the global economy. Broadly speaking, they serve as both policy maker and lender of last resort and their objective is to help keep their respective economies in balance. They monitor carefully the […]

Business

The Future of Luxury
Goods is in the Past

by Effie Datson, Head of Family Office, Barclays Private Bank

The COVID-19 pandemic has shaken up nearly every consumer category, influencing new behaviours, stifling some industries, and inspiring growth in others. Emerging trends in the luxury sector suggest extravagance is being usurped by nostalgia and sustainability. Dynamics within the luxury sector are changing. If you’ve found yourself slipping on your father’s vintage watch this year […]

Business

Confessions of a baffled fund manager

by Richard Maraviglia

For those wondering what is likely to happen in the financial markets this year the “bet” seems pretty simple. There was $9.2 trillion of stimulus in 2020, three times the size of 2008 when the world almost toppled. With the Democratic sweep, there will be yet more stimulus, perhaps higher than 2020 itself. The excess […]

Business, Travel

A Room With a View

Royal Lancaster London

Chosen as the location for The Italian Job and the release of The Beatles’ first album, the Royal Lancaster London is one of those hotels which may deceive you with their exterior appearance – tall run-of-the-mill building from the mid 20th century, but offers the most incredible views across West London and holds a treasured […]

Business, Lifestyle

The rise of the designer

by James Gurney

The watch world can come across as all about brands and watchmakers with designers rarely getting a namecheck and only as an afterthought. That makes sense when it’s the industrial heft of Rolex that guarantees the brand’s quality and the heritage of Patek Philippe that drives demand for watches that haven’t even been seen in […]

Business

Romane Howsam Means Business

At the tender age of just 21, Romane Howsam is about to launch a digital platform that promises to revolutionise the way we buy and sell luxury goods, Lymited, all whilst finishing her university degree in Business Management at King’s College London and indulging her passion for good food. I-M Intelligent Magazine got her away […]

Business, Lifestyle

The Future of Learning

Institut auf dem Rosenberg

Globally recognised as one of the best boarding schools in the world, the team at Institut auf dem Rosenberg have always prided themselves on being “artisans of education” rather than just teachers and coaches. Set on exquisite grounds in St. Gallen, Switzerland, Rosenberg offers a holistic approach to learning, which closes the gap between education […]

Business

Risk and Reward:

Luxury Brands and Social Influencers

This year, countries around the world have cycled in and out of lockdowns, with luxury retail, red carpets, fashion shows and other live events falling victim to safeguarding orders. Productions have been cancelled and product launches pushed. With traditional markets and methods unavailable, luxury brands have moved online to capture consumers at home. Louis Vuitton, […]

Business

Investing in Pink Diamonds

In these uncertain times, investors are looking for safe havens for their money and diamonds might be a good place to start, especially pink diamonds, because the world’s most reliable source of these pretty-coloured gemstones, the famous Argyle diamond mine in Australia, closes at the end of this year. For the past 37 years, the […]