Designer Watch Luxury with Louis Vuitton

For years the designer handbag has reigned supreme as the leader of fashion and has been the most sought after accessory for women worldwide. From Chanel and Dior to Louis Vuitton and Bvlgari, what women wore on their arms has dictated everything from cultural status to checkbook balance. No self deserving celebrity would dare to grace a red carpet event, bookstore signing or ladies lunch without the latest token Balenciaga tucked under her arm, or a vintage Prada hanging from a well toned shoulder. But enter the understudy to the bag fetish that every purse Princess is snapping up and snapping on ……The Designer Watch

In emerging luxury markets such as India, China and Russia, timepieces have come to be perceived as ultimate status symbols, with the Western world following suit and sales of designer watches soaring: The LVMH group that boasts brands such as Louis Vuitton and Tag Heuer announced in 2006 that their profits had quadrupled with brands such as Gucci, Fendi and Versace making in roads to this most lucrative fashion business. Louis Vuitton is also set to introduce its first watch created by in house designer Marc Jacobs. Named The Emprise, the watch will have a sleek 70’s feel and no doubt a touch of the old Louis Vuitton classic styling that we have come to love in their handbags. Hermes have increased their stake holding in Swiss watchmaker Vaucher Manufacture Fleurier, who currently produce high precision movements for Tiffany and Corum, in readiness for the next cult fashion trend that will be designer watches.

Even though we will continue to see our favorite celebrities toting their exquisitely expensive handbags, the designer watch is on par as the ‘must have’ accessory for 2008 and beyond. With the majority of designer timepieces beginning at $2000 upwards, it’s no surprise that fashion houses are all looking to cash in on this lucrative little earner that is the designer watch.

The world of celebrity endorsements is today worth billions to a huge number of movie stars, professional athletes and figures in the public spotlight: From tennis tournament winners to business leaders, watch companies are paying big bucks for celebrity individuals to wear and promote their designs.

Omega have been the biggest splashes of endorsement dollars with past and present star endorsers including George Clooney, Nicole Kidman and Anna Kornikova. Reportedly worth million dollar deals, it is these endorsements which line the stars pockets, but also see watch sales soar.

Tag Heuer were one of the original companies to use celebrity endorsers for their line of sports themed timepieces and now boast one of the biggest players of all in the form of Tiger Woods: Tiger is reportedly set to be the only ever billionaire golfer, with the majority of his earnings made through endorsements for companies such as Tag. Not satisfied with this huge catch, Tag Heuer also credit Brad Pitt as being one of their stars on the payroll, which has boosted their sales greatly with the younger crowd. Tag are definitely the brand to look to for young, in the media celeb endorsements and change their brand role model periodically.

John Travolta’s passion for flying has made him the obvious choice for super luxury brand Breitling with their aviator style timepieces. Featuring in a series of glossy magazine ad’s, John is seen wearing full flying gear and sporting a serious pose to the cameras. Not the best shot of him ever taken, but hey - it gets the watches bought and on wrists in no time at all! It seems that if you want to sell watches these days, celebrity endorsements are the only way to go… For Omega, Tag Heuer and Breitling super deals visit www.amatorywatches.com