We discuss the impact of the Covid-19 coronavirus epidemic, which has a worldwide impact, on the watch industry.
The whole world is in alarm. The coronavirus, which infected hundreds of thousands of people, is responsible for the deaths of thousands of people according to the first data and the number is increasing. As a result, states and companies have started to take a series of measures to control the spread of the outbreak.
First, companies started to announce that they will not participate in Baselworld and Watches & Wonders trade shows, the most exciting watchmaking activities of the year. After a while, the explanations expected by the fair committees came and it was stated that the fairs would not be held in 2020.
Currently, quarantine applications have started in some cities. Many companies around the globe have announced that they have suspended their production and sales activities for a while. These companies include Rolex.
On March 17, 2020, 3 factories in Geneva, Bienne and Crissier have stopped their operations for at least 10 days, according to the statement by Rolex CEO Jean-Frederic Dufour. Currently, all shopping places, restaurants, entertainment venues are closed throughout Switzerland and this will continue until April 19.
Different watch brands can also be added to the list in the coming days. Rolex, which has a yearly production close to 1 million, stopping production for 10 days means there will be a shortage of watches in the market.
Rolex is already one of the most demanding brands in the market and customers may have to wait for months or even years to have many models. Due to the current production and sales policy of the brand, it is obvious that it will be even more difficult to meet the high demand. Yet, there is another question: How those quarantines that cannot be estimated when they will end and the problems in accessing certain services will lead the watch shopping?
In the meantime, we get questions about whether watches and other products produced especially in the Far East will be a problem for human health. In this regard, you can keep your heart fresh. The time that the virus can continue its effectiveness without touching any creature is quite short.
