ClickZ Watches Newsletter - 01.16.2025

Plus: AI Rewrites the Rules of Luxury Marketing at CES 2025📊

Author

Rafe Houston
January 16, 2025 • Estimated Reading Time: 8 minutes

Heads up! To ensure you continue receiving our newsletters, please add [email protected] to your contact list!

Welcome to ClickZ Watches, your essential newsletter for watch e-commerce professionals. As we tick into 2025, now is the perfect time to wind up your strategies and set the pace for a successful year ahead!💫 

Highlights from CES 2025 🌟

At CES 2025, I joined industry leaders from Amazon Ads, Walmart Connect, TikTok, Pinterest, Snap, and many other leading tech companies to explore the latest innovations and insights. A key theme stood out: measurement has moved to the forefront of advertising discussions, with AI accelerating our ability to address growing privacy concerns.

My Key Takeaways:

  • Restoring the Value Exchange: Privacy challenges are reshaping the internet’s core model. AI bridges the gap by enabling performance measurement while safeguarding user data.

  • Storytelling That Resonates: Engaging, tailored stories foster stronger connections. Meet your audience where they are for maximum impact.

  • Retail Media’s Surge: Amazon’s Retail Connect underscores retail media’s rapid growth. The challenge? Comparing cross-channel performance effectively.

  • Privacy & ROI: New tracking limits complicate proving ROI. AI-driven tools offer accurate, privacy-compliant measurement.

  • Simplifying Martech: The fragmented digital ad landscape demands clarity. AI streamlines processes with user-friendly, jargon-free solutions. AI-powered tools make it easier to deliver clear, jargon-free solutions.

Unlock Smarter Marketing: Explore how Fospha’s data-driven solutions help you measure, optimize, and grow. Visit Fospha today.

Sector Spotlight 🎥

The watchmaking industry is at a crossroads, with 2025 poised for shifts that demand foresight from brands. As marketers of luxury timepieces, grasping these trends is crucial for capitalizing on market opportunities. The continued dominance of sports watches coupled with a resurgence in integrated bracelets underscore a conservative approach by big brands—a nod to tested survival strategies amid volatile market conditions. Interestingly, crypto-aligned brands might anticipate buoyancy if political landscapes favor economic booms.

Leadership changes amplify watchmaking shifts. Richemont showcases executive reshuffling, with Nicholas Bos ascending to group CEO—a move necessitating recalibrated strategies amid an unsteady economic forecast for watchmakers. The rise of independent watchmakers presents industry professionals with unique collaboration opportunities. Notably, Tissot’s adventures in the form watch segment and microbrands adopting previously-exclusive stone dial trends highlight market evolution, offering marketers avenues to explore innovative consumer engagement.

Collaborations are increasingly pivotal, dialing creative synergies with automakers—a case strengthened by Richemont's experiential partnerships with Ferrari and Lamborghini. Opportunistic marketers will keenly monitor Geneva’s 2025 showcase, which could inform tactical alignments with emerging or evolving trends.

Mark Zuckerberg acquires the Greubel Forsey Hand Made 1, showcasing a trend among tech moguls investing in luxury timepieces. This $895,500 watch exemplifies exceptional craftsmanship. The luxury watch market grows as tech integration and sustainable practices attract buyers. Zuckerberg's collection reflects broader shifts in the luxury goods sector.

Watch Launches ⌚️

La Joie, a distinguished jewelry house, expands into Swiss luxury timepieces with the Primus collection, blending Swiss precision with gemstone artistry. Co-founder Jean Nasr introduces five unique dials and refined editions, marrying horology with elegance. This strategic move marks La Joie's evolution, offering both beauty and functionality.

The Oris ProPilot X Miss Piggy Edition introduces a 34mm steel watch with a striking pink dial and lab-grown diamond, honoring Miss Piggy's glamorous influence. This collaboration showcases strategic innovation, potentially setting a trend for smaller designer watches, enhancing brand allure in the luxury watch market. CHF 2,800.

Influencer Corner 📣

Netflix’s Squid Game: The Challenge marketing taps into a goldmine of timely collaborations and limited-edition products. From Puma’s green tracksuit-inspired collection to Squid Game-themed Crocs and Johnnie Walker bottles, every partnership feeds into the show’s cultural momentum.

The takeaway for marketers: Timely, creative collaborations and exclusive product drops can capture customer excitement and amplify demand. Whether it’s Squid Game-inspired skincare or themed wontons, the key is to align your brand with trends while they’re hot.

Image Source: M.O.M

Image Source: M.O.M

Performance Pulse 📈

Generative AI is reshaping search, transforming how brands reach and engage consumers. Industry-specific language models are streamlining processes, offering tailored solutions that save time and resources.

As open-source adoption grows, marketers gain more flexibility to customize tools and strategies. However, with AI’s increasing influence on branding, ethical considerations are now pivotal. To stay competitive, marketers must integrate these advancements thoughtfully.

X offers unique promotional opportunities for e-commerce brands, benefiting from fewer competitors and a focus on news. With a large male audience, SMBs can leverage X's algorithm, favoring smaller brands. Though not as profitable as TikTok or Meta, X excels in news-focused niches with innovative selling features.

Influencer Marketing

📍 New York City, NY

Global Marketing

📍 Los Angeles, CA

Marketing & Comms

 📍 Austin, TX, USA

ClickZ is a Contentive publication in the DTC Ecommerce division