A few years ago a watch brand I quite liked declared bankruptcy to be gone forever. This was before the big luxury bubble burst occurred, and I was quite sure that the demise of Ventura watches was a sign of what was to come - it was. But Ventura wasn't some overinflated pseudo luxury brand. They made fine and unique watches with a distinct modern, minimalist, and Bauhaus twist to them. They are likely most famous for their MGS (micro generation system) watches that use an automatic rotor to generate electricity for a quartz digital movement, just like a Seiko Kinetic watch works. Seen above is one of those watches.

Recent reports show that the Ventura brand is back, and with its original founder Pierre Nobs at the helm. New funding will get the brand up and running again soon. Ventura is known for their luxury quartz and mechanical watches - so it is unclear what some of the first models will be. Likely a new release of existing popular models with a few new things as well. Good news is that Ventura will be a modern brand, meaning they will make their watches available online from their (not yet released) website. This is good news to the many people who prefer to buy watches online (myself included). Prices for Ventura watches was (and will most likely be) about $1,500 - $5,000. No specific time line to their revival, but I'll keep you updated.

Via WorldTempus.

Ariel Adams publishes the luxury watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.

Hard (for me) to pronounce German Business magazine Wirtschaftswoche has recently rated watch maker A. Lange & Sohne as the "Top German Luxury Brand." The magazine does a regular ranking (each two years) of Germany's most well known luxury brands which combines everything from fashion houses, to car makers, and of course watch makers.

A. Lange & Sohne beat out companies from every other segment to be the top luxury brand, not merely the top luxury watch brand. The ranking was done through interviews with over 150 industry professionals and participants, and conducted via the Munich based "Brand Rating" agency.

A. Lange & Sohne's highest marks came in the category of "brand appeal." Meaning that people indicated that they personally wanted one, or could see others wanting them (as I speculate the questions to have been like). It should be obvious that when presented with the question, "do you want an A. Lange & Sohne watch?," people were going to say "yes of course." Though, they responded in the affirmative even more so than to questions about Porsche cars, etc... A. Lange & Sohne doesn't need an award like this to be a top luxury brand, but it sure helps remind everyone else.

Ariel Adams publishes the luxury watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.

Swiss watch maker Wyler Geneve has just laid off all of its employees save for their CEO. While not officially closing shop, the company says it is going into "hibernation mode" and will attempt to wait out the "crisis" that is going on in the watch industry. This refers to the generally awful economy dissuading consumers from investing in many of the more expensive or less known brands out there. It is unclear what will occur with the existing Wyler watch inventory out there or how existing customers will receive service for the expensive luxury watches.

Wyler attempted to make headlines by producing the first all carbon neutral watches out there. This was done via the purchase of carbon offsets that I discussed as being good-natured but not particularly impressive. Wyler CEO Ryan St. George, is the only remaining employee, and it is unclear what his role will be once the rest of the employees have left. The brand's "deep freeze" will start in the coming months. A question arises as to what Wyler did wrong having reasonably nice watches that are certainly unique. The issue could be market penetration, distribution, or consumer interest. There is also the matter of pricing, which was optimistic to say the least. During the "bull economy" of the watch industry you had new brands popping up all over the place. Many with good ideas, and all with 'impressively' high prices. The market reality has finally caught up with them and they must learn the hard lesson that the market, not the manufacturer, determines what people will actually pay.

Via Perpetuelle via Business Montres (in French).

Ariel Adams publishes the luxury watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.

Pierre Kunz could be another luxury watch brand that will fall victim to "the crisis" or as the luxury watch industry is less than affectionately referring to the current economic downturn. I reported a while ago that Franck Muller was about to cut a large number of jobs. Looks like things are worse than expected at the company who owns watch brand Pierre Kunz, among a couple of other more boutique brands - Pierre Kunz being the most well known. According to the Tribune De Geneve, Franck Muller can "no longer support its young brands." It is unclear whether this means Franck Muller operated brands like Pierre Kunz will cease operation, be sold, or be "consolidated" somehow.

Pierre Kunz has some innovative and beautiful models under its catalog including the pictured G703 T STR Tourbillon and the Infinity Looping Black Steel watches. They have even announced new watches recently. In instances where a brand is highly marketable but its parent company does not have the funds to continue to support it, there is often an interested outside buyer who will save the small manufacture. It is unclear in today's economy how likely this is for Pierre Kunz. Other Franck Muller brands likely to kick the bucket are ECW, Rodolphe, and Barthelay.

Via WorldTempus (in mostly French).

Ariel Adams publishes the luxury watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.

By the sound of it you'd think that Cartier was next to being bankrupt, though that isn't the case. More like the optimistic balloon of sales growth is deflating (one of the reasons I used the "Ballon Bleu" watch for the image - and added the sad face). During the last few years of rapid growth and increased demand for Swiss watches and luxury goods, production increased and luxury firms like Cartier staffed themselves accordingly for what looking like prefect blue skies ahead. Now, about 5 years after that all started, the bubble has burst, and Cartier is being forced to let go of many of those people it hired at its production facility in La Chaux-de-Fonds to help supply the perceived demand for luxury watches. Note that this is one of three Cartier production sites.

While Cartier's market success is not exactly a bellwether of the luxury industry, it is a pretty good indicator of current trends. Lots of companies are reducing their work forces, but the reality is that they are just getting closer to the way things where before the economy inflated itself so much. Now in survival or recession mode, luxury brands such as Cartier need to save cash while planning on better times ahead - instead of focusing on making lots of watches right now. Recall again that this cut at Cartier of about 400-500 people (or roughly 50%-60% of their work force) is in the production area, not necessarily at other areas of the Richemont Group owned company including administration, marketing, and sales. Many retained employees will received roughly 94% of their pay until things get better. Then then Ballon Bleu watch above can turn that frown... upside down!

Via WorldTempus here & here (in French).

Ariel Adams publishes the popular watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.