Survey Shows Affluent Losing Confidence in U.S. Economy
The Unity Marketing Luxury Consumption Index took its steepest quarterly plunge since the recession began, falling 16.8 points to 66 points in the second quarter. This is significantly lower than the previous quarter’s 82.8 points. The LCI currently stands close to the level attained at the onset of the Great Recession. Unity Marketing’s LCI is considered to be a leading indicator of the economic activity among affluent households. The survey of 1,272 consumers with an average income of $301,000 and an average net worth of $856,000 was conducted July 6-13.Corresponding to the decline in luxury consumer confidence, the average amount spent by affluent consumers on luxury goods and services in the second quarter declined by 8.4 percent from the first quarter and dropped 18.4 percent year on year.However it’s not all doom and gloom for luxury retailers. Some 42 percent of consumers at the peak of the economic pyramid – those with more than $1 million in liquid asse

How To Sell Watches Without Selling Watches
People who read aBlogtoReadwatches-dealer are generally rather enthusiastic watch lovers. They buy watches because of the design, movement and of course the utility of the piece. You people are actually the elite bunch among the world of watch consumers. The industry calls you anything from "collector" to "enthusiast" and sometimes if you are lucky, "influencer." However, the industry does not see you as the mainstream and that is because you generally are not. The mainstream these days sees the watch itself as the secondary reason to buying a watch. For them, it is about status, fashion, art and lifestyle. You can disagree with me all you like, but just visit your local department store and see what's for sale in the watch department.The fact that watches don't often sell watches actually makes it easier for big brand names and events to sell timepieces. Fashion brands often need only to put their name on a timepiece, and an event can associate itself with a limited edition watch and

When Old feels like New Again...
I haven't worn my RG Skeleton for more than 7 months now while it lies peacefully in my bank safe. I almost forgotten I own this watch until a new incoming thread in here reminds me of it. So finally I took it out to wear and do a quick strap swap to the original brown strap and Viola! It feels like a new watch I just bought. And want to share this pic. It tops my all time most liked in IG. I think it's deserved it's own thread Have a great weekend!

Omega PO 8500 Keeping perfect time 3 years later
Just wanted to share a pic of 45.5 black/black PO. I didn't like the watch when I first bought it but have really grown to like a lot. The thing I love most about the watch is that after almost 3 years of wearing constantly and having to rewind it maybe 4-6 times, it literally keeps perfect time from the start. I can't even say it is a quarter or half second off because after all this time it is still within a 30 second window of the time on my cell phone. To me, it makes it all that more valuable just because I have never owned a watch that is that spot on. I really don't think I could rid of it even if offered a premium. I know Rolex gets all the love, but I hear people being totally happy with +1 or -2 a day and mine is considerably more accurate. Anyone else have the success out of their 8500 movement in any of the models?Just to note, I have an approx. 7ish wrist and I think this size wears fine on me if anyone is thinking about obtaining the bigger version for themselves.p

Top 3 Patek Basel 2017 Releases
Here's my humble list of my favorite pieces released:1. 5372P - I prefer the rose gold dial, gives it more of a vintage feel2. 5960G - While its odd that they decided to make this in white gold, like the 5524, I like it a lot better on a strap rather than a bracelet.3. 5168 - I'm sure this will be at the top of the list for others, but the aquanaut has never seemed very substantial to me, however the blue touch is nice.Big upset - 5170P. When I first saw it looked amazing until I noticed the diamond markers, what a bummer. Sword hands, that tachy scale and sunburst dial, this could have been huge, at least for me.I'd love to hear thoughts on favorites this year.