Day: 5 February 2026

Philippa Newman has been appointed as chief product officer of Pandora, effective 9 March 2026, relocating from New York to Copenhagen. With a robust background in the luxury fashion sector, notably as chief brand and product officer at Michael Kors, Newman will oversee the jewellery brand’s product creation and innovation, succeeding Stephen Fairchild. This leadership change aligns with Pandora’s “Phoenix” growth strategy, following a reported 6% organic growth in 2025. CEO Berta de Pablos-Barbier praised Newman’s track record in driving profitable growth, while Newman expressed her excitement about shaping Pandora’s future as a leading accessible jewellery brand.

In an exciting collaboration, Christopher Ward and Adrian Barker have launched the limited-edition C60 Trident Lumière ‘Green Fifteen’. Available for just one week, this sophisticated dive watch features a sleek matte black dial, bespoke design elements, and innovative bi-colour Super-LumiNova for improved legibility. With a price of £2,150, orders open from February 5-12, 2026, offering enthusiasts a unique blend of style and functionality.

Breitling has officially become the watch partner for Aston Martin, launching the limited-edition Navitimer B01 Chronograph 43, inspired by the luxury carmaker’s rich motorsport heritage. With only 1,959 pieces available, the timepiece pays homage to Aston Martin’s debut in Formula 1. The partnership will see Breitling branding showcased on the AMR26 car and team apparel, marking a significant union of performance and precision between two iconic brands. The collaboration underlines shared values of design excellence, as both companies strive for success in the world of motorsport.

In a landmark year for the luxury watch sector, the secondary market surged to $16.7 billion in sales, reflecting a staggering 36.4% increase from the previous year, according to a new report by EveryWatch. This robust growth starkly contrasts with the stagnating primary market, which faced challenges as retail sales of new timepieces plateaued around $50 billion. Notably, Rolex emerged as a market leader, raking in $5.7 billion from secondary sales, buoyed by its successful Certified Pre-Owned programme that generated $590 million. As the lines between primary and secondary markets blur, manufacturers must now navigate this evolving landscape to remain competitive.

The Bank of England has opted to keep interest rates steady at 3.75%, as inflation rose unexpectedly to 3.4% in December. Despite a split in the Monetary Policy Committee, with four members advocating for a rate cut, Governor Andrew Bailey expressed confidence that inflation will decline to around 2% by April 2025. While heightened food and travel costs contributed to the inflationary increase, Bailey noted a more balanced risk outlook and the potential for further easing of monetary policy in future meetings.

Richemont is reportedly exploring a management buyout of luxury watchmaker Jaeger-LeCoultre, spearheaded by CEO Jérôme Lambert, who is set to invest personally in the bid. Valued at over CHF 1 billion, this potential deal comes amid declining sales in Richemont’s Specialist Watchmakers division, while its Jewellery Maisons continue to thrive. Lambert’s long tenure at Jaeger-LeCoultre has sparked speculation about a strategic shift for the brand towards independence. As Richemont adjusts its leadership, the outcome of this proposed acquisition could redefine the landscape of high-end watchmaking.

IWC Schaffhausen has unveiled two limited-edition Pilot’s Watches in collaboration with Formula One star George Russell. Crafted from black zirconium oxide ceramic, both models are adorned with Russell’s signature blue, highlighting his racing identity. Each watch is limited to 1,063 pieces, reflecting his racing number, and features innovative designs including blue rubber straps and titanium case backs. Priced at £10,100 and £7,300 respectively, these timepieces blend traditional aesthetics with modern craftsmanship, capturing the essence of Russell’s journey on the track.