MTR
8918
While the intention to support local manufacturing is understandable,
a 31% tariff on Swiss watches — and similar measures affecting nearly all countries, not just Switzerland — seems like a very heavy-handed approach. Policies like this risk straining international trade relations and could have unintended consequences far beyond the watch industry.
Just to be clear: I don’t mean to speak on behalf of brands like Rolex, Patek, Vacheron or Audemars Piguet — that’s not my place. My concern is more about the principle and the broader implications for global trade and cooperation.
It seems there should be ways to promote American watchmaking without putting global exchange and long-standing partnerships under such pressure. Strengthening domestic capabilities and maintaining healthy international cooperation shouldn’t be mutually exclusive goals.
Otherwise, there will only be losers in the end. 🙏
Rolex and AP among brands holding off further shipments to USA 🇺🇸
Just came across this article https://nypost.com/2025/04/07/us-news/luxury-cars-watches-toys-not-shipped-to-us-over-tariffs/ Which also describes Range Rover and Land Rover being amongst a multitude of luxury products holding off further shipments to the ...
Is that a fair description…
Boneta Inc. was founded 20 years ago and is now America’s largest business-to-business operator in the pre-owned luxury timepiece space with sales of over $200 million in 2021 from 20,000 watches sold. Source usa.watchpro.com But that’s fine fastwong, jus...
Sorry, didn't mean to come off as dismissive and thanks for posting, just also wanted to add a dose of precautionary skepticism since AP and Rolex are two of the most guarded brands when it comes to distribution so the source is important.
Boneta has also been found guilty of illegally importing Rolexes and has sued Rolex USA in the past fwiw.
No problem because I was
denied the last bunch of Rolex and AP’s I asked for. So nothing changes for me 😁
I suspect that if you still have money, you will soon be able to get all the Rolexes and APs you desire.
Even if tariffs don't hurt the watch companies' businesses, they will hurt the watch customers' businesses.
DEACDES of horology have taught me a few things. Plus it's 2025, why are some still stuck in the 1960s and 1970s ????
imho it's kinda 'funny' how some are still grasping at marketing versus handcrafted manufacturing. The whole Rolex, VC, AP, PP thing when there are sooooo many great timepieces now available. Am hoping Rolex, AP, VC, and PP all decide to avoid the USA. Go...
I got word from JLR and MB..
First JLR said that my Defender octa edition one they will eat the tariffs on this car for me. I just got word that MB will eat the tariff costs for the MY2025. The defender will get here mid May and the G63 mid June. I was losing a lot of sleep over the ...
💯%
I was not expecting such a favorable epilogue once I started reading your post! 👏🙂↕️
I tell you what my friend.
If Kari tries to hit us with a 31% tariff because he dragged his feet on my watch. Well then I can certainly do with one less watch.
With all due respect….
and not inclined to start a political thread. But it is not Kari who tries to hit anyone with a 31% tariff. He is just creating watches, as he always did. I am happy to hear that JLR and MB decided to take the loss and protect you as a customer. But I wou...
I never said it was Kari’s fault about the tariffs.
What I’m chapped about is Kari seems to be working on every other project but ours. Two years ago we were told our watches would be complete. Then I essentially see our watches being released as limited editions for other dealers. Both me and my dealer an...
I‘d do the same.
Sad that it’s not only watches, but so many jobs across the globe that hang in limbo while we all watch this social experiment.
It's true. The watch tariff discussion feels silly in the midst all of this unnecessary chaos and capital destruction. Its hard to be excited about a new watch in this time tbh
My business pays plenty of tariffs, more every year, I majored in economics and did my senior paper on the historical trends and foundational pivots in free markets, this whole thing makes me both so sad and angry there's no calm corner of the internet an...
Exactly my feelings.
The only solution I have found is to lean back, have a glass of champagne and watch this social experiment.
haha it's the only way to get it exactly how you want it. Otherwise you are always dissatisfied about something.
Take for instance, I love my G550 but after buying the car it did not have the extended leather option which bothers me AND it does not have massage seats which I need. I didn't have too many choices so it was what it was. But it served as a good place ho...
PLENTY of others choices. Horology has grown soooo very much, we have hundreds of brands to choose from :)
The UK watchmakers are coming on strong, while the Japanese are doing great, and dare we say a great value compared to Swiss counterparts. Goodness knows the USA could use more watchmakers and brands too. Horology is just a talent thing, not a country thi...
While the intention to support local manufacturing is understandable,
a 31% tariff on Swiss watches — and similar measures affecting nearly all countries, not just Switzerland — seems like a very heavy-handed approach. Policies like this risk straining international trade relations and could have unintended consequences far...
In life there are 'winners' and 'losers'.
The Swiss could easily choose a bit of currency devaluation vs the Dollar as a work around. Besides, these things always seem to work themselves out in six months to a year or two. No need to panic......... ... unless you have an MB&F LM101 purple dial, t...
Here more losers I am afraid 😎
You make a fair point — currency adjustments are certainly one possible tool, though they often come with trade-offs and can be unpredictable in their effects. And yes, sometimes these situations do resolve themselves over time, though not always without ...
All this tariff stuff...
Is definitely making the hobby less fun for me. I haven't looked at my favorite sale group in a week or so and used to check it daily...