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

should I be concerned
The strap is only 2 months old and it's cracking, will this fall of the wrist? Has to be a defect...

Maison Patek Philippe Shanghai
Hey guys as I do during most business trips I seek out local Rolex/Patek ADs to have a look around and to kill time while away from home. Well my latest trip had me in China for 10 days and specifically in Shanghai this past weekend with a free Saturday afternoon...having recently picked up my 5167 I searched for any local Patek dealers to tour and research my next purchase. Oh boy did I get a surprise when the Maison Shanghai was within walking distance from my hotel. To be honest, I had no idea something like this even existed and it was over the top!!!.patek/en/communicatio...lippe-shanghaiI have to say the nice fellow (Sam) that showed me around and let me try on a few pieces was very accommodating and knowledgeable...I sadly ran out of questions and watches to try on in my price range after an hour and a half. No photos were permitted inside the two story building, but they did send me with a small parting gift (a packet of post cards) that has a few photos of the inside. It was s

New Patek Philippe Nautilus vs. Pre Owned
Let me preface my question by saying, like all of you I absolutely love watches. I am also 26. I don't have a lot of extra money but whenever I do I save it to purchase the next watch. I have built a nice little collection through the years. I have always wanted a Patek but have never been able to pull it off. I started really trying to figure out how to get one recently because I am obsessed with Pateks! I think I may have figure out how to get one with some trades and cash. Having said all of that, here is my question:Keeping in my that I am looking for the absolute best value, is it better to buy a new Nautilus 5711-1A, white. Or is it a better value to get a used one? I'm asking because I know that the price of Pateks just go up. So is waiting for a pre owned one in hopes of saving some money smart or will they just end up costing more as time goes on?Thanks for all of the advice in advance. And, if any of you have any 5711-1As, Aquanauts, 5035s or travel times that you are lookin

What are Panerai SHADOW case watches???
Since I noticed that some expert Paneristis didn't know what where Panerai shadow case watches I thought helpful to put the description I found:It became Panerai practice not to create a prototype series that were numbered. Although the Panerai family did number their prototypes, the Panerai company changed this practice when Richemont took over the family company. In the first couple of years under new ownership, the company would create a new model (most were similar to pre vendome models) and make a handful of these watches. It is said that 4 to 12 pieces of a new model were made. These pieces were shown at new product development meetings. They were given to executives within the company, one of the few authorized dealers or important collectors. These Shadow models did not have a Series number inscribed on the back. Regular production model watches have three lines of serial numbers engraved on the case back of locking crown models, and in the corners of the radiomir case watches.