{"id":535403,"date":"2025-10-20T12:29:29","date_gmt":"2025-10-20T01:29:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dmarge.com\/?p=535403"},"modified":"2025-10-21T13:25:25","modified_gmt":"2025-10-21T02:25:25","slug":"luxury-growth-watch-boom","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dmarge.com\/watches\/luxury-growth-watch-boom","title":{"rendered":"Luxury\u2019s First Glimmer Of Growth In 2025: Does The Watch Boom Follow?"},"content":{"rendered":"<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong>LVMH records its first positive quarter of 2025, driven by a rebound in Chinese spending.<\/strong><\/li><li><strong>Fashion and leather goods still down 2%, but improving from a 9% drop in Q2.<\/strong><\/li><li><strong>Analysts expect fine watchmaking to follow as investor confidence and collector demand return.<\/strong><\/li><\/ul><p>Do you hear that? It\u2019s the sound of the luxury market big wigs letting out a collective sigh of relief. You\u2019ll be forgiven for not recognising it sooner; 2025 has really been that bad. <\/p><p>If it\u2019s not <a href=\"https:\/\/dmarge.com\/watches\/us-tariffs-rolex-cartier-patek-philippe-countries\" target=\"_blank\"  rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">autocratic tariffs imposed by the US<\/a> that has shaken up the <a href=\"https:\/\/dmarge.com\/luxury-lifestyle\" target=\"_blank\"  rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">luxury market<\/a> more than a tipsy bartender at a Watches &amp; Wonders afterparty, it\u2019s a looming skill shortage that threatens to choke the very craftsmanship the industry was built on.<\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1400\" height=\"933\" src=\"https:\/\/dmarge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Louis-Vuitton-Melbourne-1400x933.jpg\" alt=\"Chadstone's Louis Vuitton\" class=\"wp-image-535408\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dmarge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Louis-Vuitton-Melbourne-1400x933.jpg 1400w, https:\/\/dmarge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Louis-Vuitton-Melbourne-960x640.jpg 960w, https:\/\/dmarge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Louis-Vuitton-Melbourne-640x427.jpg 640w, https:\/\/dmarge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Louis-Vuitton-Melbourne-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/dmarge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Louis-Vuitton-Melbourne-480x320.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 480px) 400px, (max-width: 640px) 600px, (max-width: 768px) 700px, (max-width: 1024px) 800px, (min-width: 1025px) 1000px, 2048px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Chadstone\u2019s Louis Vuitton, where Bernie waits for your hard-earned dollars. Image: Louis Vuitton<\/figcaption><\/figure><p>And yet, amid all the chaos, a glimmer of hope for all involved: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lvmh.com\/en\/publications\/amelioration-des-tendances-au-troisieme-trimestre-\" target=\"_blank\"  rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">LVMH\u2019s third-quarter results<\/a>. The world\u2019s largest luxury group managed to squeeze out 1% growth, its first positive quarter this year, sending its shares up more than 12% and giving the entire sector a rare reason to exhale. <\/p><p>It might just be the first time that anyone has celebrated an uptick in another rival brand\u2019s sales margins, but that\u2019s just the nature of the luxury market today. One that\u2019s desperately searching for a bottom.<\/p>    <div class=\"content-subscribe\">\n        <div class=\"subscribe-box\">\n            <p class=\"subscribe-title\">Curated news for men, <br\/>delivered to your inbox.<\/p>\n            <form class=\"subscribe-form\" method=\"POST\">\n                <div class=\"subscribe-input\">\n                    <label class=\"screen-reader-text\" for=\"subscribe-email\">Email:<\/label>\n                    <input type=\"email\" name=\"email\" id=\"subscribe-email\" placeholder=\"Enter your email\" required class=\"form-control\" autocomplete=\"on\" \/>\n                    <button type=\"submit\" class=\"button button-primary subscribe-button\">Sign Up<\/button>\n                    <input type=\"hidden\" name=\"source\" value=\"article\" \/>\n                    <input type=\"hidden\" id=\"_wpnonce\" name=\"_wpnonce\" value=\"e2df992756\" \/><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"_wp_http_referer\" value=\"\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/535403\" \/>                <\/div>\n                <div class=\"form-result\"><\/div>\n            <\/form>\n            <p class=\"subscribe-copy\">Join the DMARGE newsletter \u2014 Be the first to receive the latest news and exclusive stories on style, travel, luxury, cars, and watches. Straight to your inbox.<\/p>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n    <p>Fashion and leather goods are still down, but the decline is slowing, and that has investors whispering the unthinkable: has the luxury slump finally passed us by, like gilded ships in the night?<\/p>                <div class=\"row row-center collapse\">\n                    <div class=\"column\">\n                        <div class=\"dmg-ad\"><div id=\"incontent-48006765\" class=\"ad-container\"><script type=\"text\/javascript\">var load_1311254900 = function () {googletag.cmd.push(function () {var slot_1311254900 = googletag.defineSlot(\"\/1017963\/DMarge\/incontent\",[[250,250],[300,100],[300,250],[320,100],[336,280]],\"incontent-48006765\").addService(googletag.pubads()).setTargeting('refresh', 'true');if (gamData && gamData.sizeMap && gamData.sizeMap.hasOwnProperty('incontent')) {slot_1311254900.defineSizeMapping(gamData.sizeMap['incontent']);}googletag.display(\"incontent-48006765\");});};adsQueue.push(load_1311254900);<\/script><\/div><\/div>                    <\/div>\n                <\/div>\n                <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-china-s-comeback-gives-luxury-a-lifeline\">China\u2019s Comeback Gives Luxury a Lifeline<\/h2><p>After nearly two years of slow demand, China is finally showing signs of life again, and the world\u2019s luxury groups are clinging to that optimism. If the flatlining luxury market was showing signs of a pulse, it\u2019s coming from China\u2019s middle class consumers.<\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1400\" height=\"933\" src=\"https:\/\/dmarge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Dior-China-BLoomberg-1400x933.jpg\" alt=\"Dior Shanghai China\" class=\"wp-image-535409\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dmarge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Dior-China-BLoomberg-1400x933.jpg 1400w, https:\/\/dmarge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Dior-China-BLoomberg-960x640.jpg 960w, https:\/\/dmarge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Dior-China-BLoomberg-640x427.jpg 640w, https:\/\/dmarge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Dior-China-BLoomberg-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/dmarge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Dior-China-BLoomberg-480x320.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 480px) 400px, (max-width: 640px) 600px, (max-width: 768px) 700px, (max-width: 1024px) 800px, (min-width: 1025px) 1000px, 2048px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">LVMH reported a \u201cnoticeable\u201d improvement across Asia, driven by China. Image: Bloomberg<\/figcaption><\/figure><p>Excluding Japan, LVMH reported a \u201cnoticeable\u201d improvement across the sleeping Asian market, with Chinese consumers cautiously returning to stores and airport boutiques in their numbers to pick up pieces from LVMH\u2019s global brands. It\u2019s not quite the roaring comeback of the post-pandemic years, but it\u2019s enough to turn the mood in Paris. <\/p><p>For brands like <a href=\"https:\/\/dmarge.com\/watches\/best-rolex-watches-men\" target=\"_blank\"  rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Rolex<\/a>, Patek Philippe and Cartier, that rebound matters. The Chinese luxury customer is showing that the hunt for logo-heavy statement pieces is cooling, replaced by a more refined appetite for craft and brand heritage.<\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1400\" height=\"1400\" src=\"https:\/\/dmarge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Rolex-GMT-Master-ii2-1400x1400.jpg\" alt=\"Rolex GMT Master II\" class=\"wp-image-535411\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dmarge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Rolex-GMT-Master-ii2-1400x1400.jpg 1400w, https:\/\/dmarge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Rolex-GMT-Master-ii2-960x960.jpg 960w, https:\/\/dmarge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Rolex-GMT-Master-ii2-640x640.jpg 640w, https:\/\/dmarge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Rolex-GMT-Master-ii2-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/dmarge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Rolex-GMT-Master-ii2-480x480.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 480px) 400px, (max-width: 640px) 600px, (max-width: 768px) 700px, (max-width: 1024px) 800px, (min-width: 1025px) 1000px, 2048px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Rolex will always sell timepieces, but their customers\u2019 habits are starting to change. Image: Rolex<\/figcaption><\/figure><p>In other words, luxury consumers are well-tuned to <a href=\"https:\/\/dmarge.com\/watches\/what-your-watch-brand-says-about-you\" target=\"_blank\"  rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">what their luxury brand of choice says about them<\/a>. It\u2019s more than likely to have a direct correlation to horology. <\/p><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-fashion-falters-watches-wait-their-turn\">Fashion Falters, Watches Wait Their Turn<\/h2><p>Fashion and leather goods, the lifeblood of LVMH\u2019s empire, remain in the red, now down 2% year-on-year. <\/p>                <div class=\"row row-center collapse\">\n                    <div class=\"column\">\n                        <div class=\"dmg-ad\"><div id=\"incontent-523109233\" class=\"ad-container\"><script type=\"text\/javascript\">var load_716488548 = function () {googletag.cmd.push(function () {var slot_716488548 = googletag.defineSlot(\"\/1017963\/DMarge\/incontent\",[[250,250],[300,100],[300,250],[320,100],[336,280]],\"incontent-523109233\").addService(googletag.pubads()).setTargeting('refresh', 'true');if (gamData && gamData.sizeMap && gamData.sizeMap.hasOwnProperty('incontent')) {slot_716488548.defineSizeMapping(gamData.sizeMap['incontent']);}googletag.display(\"incontent-523109233\");});};adsQueue.push(load_716488548);<\/script><\/div><\/div>                    <\/div>\n                <\/div>\n                <p>But look on the bright side: that\u2019s still a massive improvement from the 9% plunge of the previous quarter. It\u2019s a small win, yes. But <a href=\"https:\/\/dmarge.com\/luxury-lifestyle\/the-biggest-winners-and-losers-in-the-2025-luxury-slowdown\" target=\"_blank\"  rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">in this tumultuous environment<\/a>, any win feels seismic. And that\u2019s call for muted celebration.<\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1400\" height=\"933\" src=\"https:\/\/dmarge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/LV-Monterey-1400x933.jpg\" alt=\"Louis Vuitton Monterey 2025 watch featuring modernised design and signature LV detailing.\" class=\"wp-image-535412\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dmarge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/LV-Monterey-1400x933.jpg 1400w, https:\/\/dmarge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/LV-Monterey-960x640.jpg 960w, https:\/\/dmarge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/LV-Monterey-640x427.jpg 640w, https:\/\/dmarge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/LV-Monterey-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/dmarge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/LV-Monterey-480x320.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 480px) 400px, (max-width: 640px) 600px, (max-width: 768px) 700px, (max-width: 1024px) 800px, (min-width: 1025px) 1000px, 2048px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The Louis Vuitton Monterey returns for 2025: a revived icon that blends bold design with the maison\u2019s newfound horological confidence. Image: Louis Vuitton<\/figcaption><\/figure><p>The watch world, however, is still playing the long game. After two years of inflated demand and shrinking margins, the correction has been painful but necessary. Waitlists are easing, grey-market prices are stabilising, and <a href=\"https:\/\/dmarge.com\/watches\/future-of-luxury-watch-market\" target=\"_blank\"  rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">collectors are starting to buy watches for themselves<\/a>, rather than their Instagram followers.<\/p>                <div class=\"row row-center collapse\">\n                    <div class=\"column\">\n                        <div class=\"dmg-ad\"><div id=\"incontent-117384657\" class=\"ad-container\"><script type=\"text\/javascript\">var load_2098580392 = function () {googletag.cmd.push(function () {var slot_2098580392 = googletag.defineSlot(\"\/1017963\/DMarge\/incontent\",[[250,250],[300,100],[300,250],[320,100],[336,280]],\"incontent-117384657\").addService(googletag.pubads()).setTargeting('refresh', 'true');if (gamData && gamData.sizeMap && gamData.sizeMap.hasOwnProperty('incontent')) {slot_2098580392.defineSizeMapping(gamData.sizeMap['incontent']);}googletag.display(\"incontent-117384657\");});};adsQueue.push(load_2098580392);<\/script><\/div><\/div>                    <\/div>\n                <\/div>\n                <p>If fashion\u2019s stabilisation signals a return to confidence, fine watchmaking could be the next beneficiary. Luxury buyers are once again asking the right questions: What\u2019s the story? What\u2019s the movement? What\u2019s worth my time? <\/p><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-the-bottom-might-finally-be-in-sight\">The Bottom Might Finally Be in Sight<\/h2><p>LVMH\u2019s modest rebound doesn\u2019t mean the industry is out of the woods, yet. But it does suggest that the worst may be behind us. At least that\u2019s what the industry CEOs will be hoping. Arnault could get used to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/DP5hYq_jwOK\/\" target=\"_blank\"  rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">picking up an extra $29 billion AUD overnight<\/a>\u2026 <\/p>                <div class=\"row row-center collapse\">\n                    <div class=\"column\">\n                        <div class=\"dmg-ad\"><div id=\"incontent-1044032691\" class=\"ad-container\"><script type=\"text\/javascript\">var load_85310307 = function () {googletag.cmd.push(function () {var slot_85310307 = googletag.defineSlot(\"\/1017963\/DMarge\/incontent\",[[250,250],[300,100],[300,250],[320,100],[336,280]],\"incontent-1044032691\").addService(googletag.pubads()).setTargeting('refresh', 'true');if (gamData && gamData.sizeMap && gamData.sizeMap.hasOwnProperty('incontent')) {slot_85310307.defineSizeMapping(gamData.sizeMap['incontent']);}googletag.display(\"incontent-1044032691\");});};adsQueue.push(load_85310307);<\/script><\/div><\/div>                    <\/div>\n                <\/div>\n                <p>With inflation cooling and Chinese demand flickering back to life, the broader luxury market could be entering a reset phase ahead of 2026. One that sparks sleeping giants back into life and closes out one of the luxury markets most challenging years in recent years back in the green. <\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1400\" height=\"933\" src=\"https:\/\/dmarge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Cartier-China-1400x933.jpg\" alt=\"Cartier\u2019s boutique in China\" class=\"wp-image-535413\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dmarge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Cartier-China-1400x933.jpg 1400w, https:\/\/dmarge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Cartier-China-960x640.jpg 960w, https:\/\/dmarge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Cartier-China-640x427.jpg 640w, https:\/\/dmarge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Cartier-China-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/dmarge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Cartier-China-480x320.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 480px) 400px, (max-width: 640px) 600px, (max-width: 768px) 700px, (max-width: 1024px) 800px, (min-width: 1025px) 1000px, 2048px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Cartier\u2019s boutique in China, where there\u2019s renewed confidence in the world\u2019s fastest-recovering luxury market. Image: Cartier<\/figcaption><\/figure><p>For watch brands, this presents a rare opportunity. The speculative fluff that defined the last five years has drained away, replaced by a quieter, more considered kind of buying from an audience that I\u2019d argue never went away. It was simply waiting in the wings. <\/p><p>We\u2019ve seen legacy brands stagnate, opening the door to <a href=\"https:\/\/dmarge.com\/watches\/luxury-watch-sales-are-down-but-these-ones-keep-selling-out\" target=\"_blank\"  rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">lesser-known microbrands to take a piece of the pie<\/a>, and collectors seemingly rediscovering the joy of ownership over investment, picking up pieces <a href=\"https:\/\/dmarge.com\/watches\/movements-are-about-to-get-more-expensive\" target=\"_blank\"  rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">for what\u2019s inside the dial<\/a>, rather than the badge on it. After a year defined by tariffs, slowdowns and sliding valuations, that\u2019s as close to optimism as luxury gets.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>LVMH\u2019s surprise third-quarter growth has luxury executives breathing again. But can stabilising fashion sales and China\u2019s comeback revive a watch industry still waiting for lift-off?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":101107,"featured_media":535407,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_stopmodifiedupdate":false,"_modified_date":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[249],"tags":[],"coauthors":[146353],"class_list":{"0":"post-535403","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-watches"},"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/dmarge.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/535403","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/dmarge.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/dmarge.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dmarge.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/101107"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dmarge.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=535403"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/dmarge.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/535403\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":535442,"href":"https:\/\/dmarge.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/535403\/revisions\/535442"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dmarge.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/535407"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/dmarge.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=535403"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dmarge.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=535403"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dmarge.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=535403"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dmarge.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=535403"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}