Million Dollar Club 2012: Watch Advertising at All-Time High
In an exclusive report in the upcoming May-June issue of WatchTime, we reveal which watch brands are spending the most on advertising in 2012, a record year for watch-company ad spending, and we provide a complete list of the 60 brands that spent more than $1 million on ads. Watch brands spent more on U.S. advertising in 2012 than ever before. Total spending reached $399.74 million, up 9.3 percent over 2011, according to Kantar Media, which tracks advertising across all media channels. Sixty watch brands spent more than $1 million on advertising, up from 54 brands in 2011. To make the list of the Top 25, a firm had to spend over $3.63 million compared to $3.43 million a year earlier.Ad spending was up for the third consecutive year, after falling sharply in the recession year of 2009. The 2012 total surpassed the previous record of $388 million set in 2007, and was a sign of a continuing recovery in the U.S. watch market.The big spender last year, as usual, was Rolex, with a U.S. ad bu

June 12 “How It’s Made” TV Show Features Blancpain
Blancpain and the Le Brassus Manufacture will be featured in How It’s Made 6: Luxury Watches (episode 8). The episode will air on the Science Channel Friday, June 12 at 9:00 p.m. EDT. Tune in to see Blancpain's master watchmakers hand assemble a movement and apply delicate hand finishing in accordance with the traditional arts and practices of fine watchmaking. The show will also air on the Science Channel at these times:June 13 at 12:00 a.m. EDTJune 14 at 4:00 a.m. EDTJune 15 at 4:00 p.m. EDTYou can also check the schedule at the Science Channel website.

Panerai Says "FU" With Limited Edition PAM336 Watch For China
Probably good that Panerai doesn't sell an "FU" watch in the western world as we are probably going to take it as a signal of their amusement that we are putting up with their prices. No, Panerai doesn't even care too much about the English speaking world for the time being. Richemont, and other luxury watch groups have their sights securely set on (primarily) China, and other parts of Asia, given the fact that the only excitement in watch sales to be seen now is coming from those regions of the world. Each brand is vying for the attention and respect of the Chinese consumer - who is fundamentally a different animal than that the western consumer as I understand it. I hear tales of how Chinese consumers actually understand the mechanics of watches, know the values, and have keen eyes for details. Scary stuff for some watch retailers and some brands! Actually this is good. Not that people like us are without knowledge, but we aren't exactly the "typical" watch buyer here in the states (

Can you sauna bath with your AP? -
Yes you can!I promise it was up to 90, (since I'm a Finn I must say this, or be hunted by my fellow men) I only blame the sauna door and my weak iPhone not standing up to the heat!

Poc 9300!
Did it again. I couldnt resist this awesome piece.