Aftermarket Price Reports, a Week in Bangkok, and London Watch Style: A Watch News Recap

Here are some of the recent news stories you may have missed.

The latest report from the financial tracking organization WatchCharts hit with some relatively sunny news for the secondary watch market.

In the second quarter of this year, the three major watch groups tracked (Richemont, Swatch Group, and LVMH) all showed a sequential uptick in second-hand prices, according to the metrics. Gains for LVMH were stronger than in the first quarter, up about 1.7%, while the other tracked watch groups remained relatively stable, with Richemont up 1.3% and Swatch Group up 1%.

Standout brand performers quarter-over-quarter included TAG Heuer with a 3.8% increase in aftermarket prices, Cartier with a 2.2% increase, Vacheron Constantin up 1.4%, and Omega’s 0.9% increase, according to the report. This is the fourth consecutive quarter of broad gains in pricing.

When viewed on a year-over-year basis, Rolex recorded the highest percentage increase in the secondary market at 6.9%, with its certified CPO (certified pre-owned) program bringing in a record $186 million in sales for the second quarter of 2026 alone.

Please note, however, that according to a March report in watch industry publication WatchPro, Swatch Group sent an open letter to Morgan Stanley with several complaints about the organization’s methodology used for its annual Swiss market watch reports.

Announced to run from Tuesday, September 22^nd to Sunday, September 27^th this year, details for the sophomore run of the Siam Paragon Bangkok Watch Week are being shared by the organization. To date, more than 45 brands will exhibit, according to show sources, which is a striking increase over the 2025 show count of 26, indicating the ongoing momentum of the event and Southeast Asia’s growing importance in the watch world.
 

Returning brands include A. Lange & Söhne, Breitling, IWC, TAG Heuer, and Vacheron Constantin, among many others. New to this year’s show are brands like Breguet, Tudor, and a notable early international show appearance from the revived Universal Genève.

The 2026 show is expected to bring more than 400 international collectors and over 40,000 visitors to the Thai capital, according to show organizers.

If you find yourself in the UK, there is still time to experience watchmaker Vacheron Constantin’s remarkable, free Explore All Ways Possible exhibit at the maison’s 37 Old Bond Street boutique (the exhibit opened last week but will run until August 1^st).

The brand is bringing a lovingly curated selection of historic timepieces from its archive to London to showcase its long-standing role in global exploration and travel and mirror its overarching exploration theme for the year.
 

Partnering with Chinese-British illustrator Shan Jiang, the brand has created a vibrant, vintage-flavored display environment highlighting models from its Métier d’Art collection, inspired by Japanese lacquerware; a rare “Roaring 20’s” diagonal-dial timepiece from 1921; and ultra-thin, innovatively durable historical pocket watches designed for world explorers, among others.

The annual Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez yachting regatta, now in its 27^th year as the Mediterranean’s premier sailing event, is taking place from Saturday, September 26^th to Sunday, October 4^th this year under the management of the Société Nautique de Saint-Tropez. About 250 vessels will compete this year according to the organizers, in multiple classes (including the return of iconic, crowd-favorite J-Class racing).
 

Watchmaker Rolex has been a partner of the races since 2006, awarding the coveted Rolex Trophy to winning vessels in classes that rotate each year. Special, engraved Rolex timepieces (generally Submariners) are also awarded to select winners traditionally. However, many sailing/watch fans will be on the lookout for the role the Crown’s latest update to its heralded Yacht-Master II might play in the proceedings.