Insights

Recently, I read an article about jumping hour watches, which is the luxury watch trend nobody's talking about, but everyone is copying, and it stuck with me because for a long time I'd been observing the same thing; suddenly, brands like Audemars Piguet, Louis Vuitton, and Cartier all released these mechanical watches that looked digital

Jumping hour watches display time through apertures where hours "jump" instantaneously with a mechanical "click" every 60 minutes rather than sweep with traditional hands. They are basically mechanical "digital" watches, and they're having a major moment during 2025-2026

The trend kicked off in January 2025 when Louis Vuitton launched the TambourConvergence at LVMH Watch Week ($58,500). Then, at Watches and Wonders in March 2025, Cartier debuted the TankàGuichets and Bremont Watch Company unveiled their TerraNova Jumping Hour. By February 2026 Audemars Piguet launched the NeoFrame Jumping Hour at $71,200. According to the Hodinkee founder StephenPulvirent, "three makes a trend". After Cartier, Louis Vuitton, and Bremont, jumping hour watches were officially in

But here's the twist this isn't new. Audemars Piguet made 347 jumping hour watches between 1924-1951. The complication fell out of favor mid century and is now being revived with modern technology. The 1929 model that inspired AP's 2026 release? Only 14 pieces were ever made.

Why the comeback? Jumping hour watches are intuitive to a generation raised on Gshock and smartphone collectors want mechanical, expensive status symbols that look digital and simple. Independent watchmaker Zentier jumping hour collaboration sold out 88 pieces in under a minute showing the market was hungry for this

My takeaway as a Business student specializing in Luxury brand management is this shows how luxury brands bridge tradition and modernity instead of fighting digital, they made mechanical look digital giving you the clarity of a digital display with haute horlogerie craftsmanship. Sometimes innovation isn't creating something new it's reviving something old for a new generation 

I recently watched a Bloomberg documentary and a CNBC segment about China's luxury collapse. The fact that shocked me was that ten years ago, China was 50% of global luxury sales, and Today it is at Only 12%. LVMH, Kering, and Richemont lost hundreds of billions, and here is why

The crisis started with China's property market crash (2022-2023). Middle-class families had their wealth in real estate when it collapsed; their savings disappeared. Youth unemployment hit over 20%. The young professionals buying designer bags to prove success? They couldn't find jobs. LVMH had its worst year since 2008

But it wasn't just economics—it was cultural. President Xi's "common prosperity" made rich people nervous about showing off. Young Chinese rejected luxury entirely, choosing experiences over products and high quality "dupes" over designer logos. Then comes the real game changer: Chinese luxury brands started winning. A company called Atelier Yuen launched a titanium watch for $3,500—a similar Swiss watch costs $35,000. Chinese consumers now prefer homegrown brands. European luxury didn't just lose to economic crisis; they lost to local competition.

But the good news was China's market started recovering in late 2025. Burberry's China sales grew for the first time in over a year. Richemont's Asia-Pacific sales rose 10%.

So who is actually winning in China now? Two types: ultra-high-end brands like Hermès, Loro Piana, and Brunello Cucinelli selling "quiet luxury" to the ultra-wealthy who never stopped spending. And brands that localize—marketing in Chinese, creating China-specific products, feeling like local companies even if they were European. The mass luxury approach was dead. What brands are doing overall is complete strategy shift. VIP-only experiences targeting the wealthiest customers and Aggressive expansion into India, Middle East, and Southeast Asia to diversify away from China. And for those staying in China was serious localization or go ultra-premium.

My takeaway as a Business student specializing in Luxury brand management: This taught three lessons—never put all your eggs in one basket (China going from 50% to 12% proves it), never underestimate local competition, and never assume loyalty during cultural shifts. The brands surviving aren't waiting for "old China" to return they're adapting to a completely new reality. 

For a long time, I'd been hearing about the legendary scarcity of the Hermès Birkin bag. Then, recently in St. Moritz, I was genuinely surprised to see so many Birkins around me at cafés, in boutiques, everywhere. It made me curious: if these bags are supposedly impossible to get, why did I see dozens in one weekend?

Here's what I discovered.

The Hermès Birkin is basically the ultimate example of manufactured scarcity as a business strategy. Created in 1984, it's evolved into something pretty wild, a luxury item where having money doesn't guarantee you can buy it. Hermès officially says, "We don't keep waiting lists"—yet everyone talks about "the waitlist." That's intentional. The myth of inaccessibility keeps the desire alive.

Here's how it works. Hermès produces around 15,000-20,000 Birkins annually, while competitors sell millions of handbags, according to Rome Station. According to The Quota's analysis, each customer can buy only 2 quota bags per year, and these are tracked globally. Even billionaires can't skip the line. But here's the really interesting part: the "tying" practice. Basically, you need to spend $10,000-$20,000 on other Hermès stuff (scarves, wallets, fragrances) before they'll even offer you a Birkin. You're not just buying a bag; you're proving you're worthy and actually building brand loyalty.

Why does this actually work? Each Birkin takes 18-20 hours of craftsmanship by a single artisan who trained for two years. So the scarcity is partly real. The result? Birkins go up in value—some beat stocks and gold, with rare ones selling for over $500,000 on resale. And here's the kicker: Hermès never advertises the Birkin. No billboards, no influencer campaigns, nothing. Word-of-mouth does it all.

My takeaway as a Business student specializing in Luxury brand management: Hermès proved that in luxury, the most powerful word is "no." While every other brand makes buying easier, Hermès made it harder, turning shopping into a relationship and a purchase into an achievement. Sometimes the best way to make people want something is to tell them they can't have it. That's not just marketing; that's psychology. 

Last December in Dubai, I saw Cartier's Baby Panther campaign on a huge LED screen. It was really cool and got me motivated to deep dive into it, and here's what I discovered

Cartier's 2025 festive campaign tells a magical story where baby panthers escape from a painting at their historic Paris boutique (13 rue de la Paix) during one magical night and Getting wrapped up in red ribbon, playing hide-and-seek with jewellery boxes, entering the circle of the Maison's precious creations and innocently swiping at the shimmer of the pieces with their paws, they joyfully celebrate the Cartier's art of gifting and they mysteriously decorate the entire Christmas tree before returning to their frame by dawn. The tagline was "Dreams are possible for those who believe in the wonderful."

The execution was brilliant. Launched in November 2025—perfect timing for peak holiday gifting season. Instead of pushing products hard, Cartier made the story the hero. The jewelry (Love bracelet, Panthère ring, Tank watch) appears naturally as the panthers discover them. Not a sales pitch, but an adventure you want to be part of.

Why does this work so well? Baby panthers appeal to multiple generations simultaneously. It's designed for social media—Instagram-perfect, TikTok-ready, shareable across cultures. While other luxury brands focus on product features, Cartier built an emotional experience. According to #WWDluxurymarketinganalysis, emotional storytelling creates connections that product-focused campaigns simply can't achieve. Additionally, #BainandCompany's 2024 report backs this up—Gen Z and Millennials will account for over 80% of luxury purchases by 2030, and these are generations that buy stories, not just products. While other brands showcase features, Cartier built an emotional experience.

My takeaway as a Business student specializing in Luxury brand management:  The real genius isn't in what Cartier showed—it's in what they didn't. No price tags, no product close-ups, no "buy now" messaging. They trusted their brand heritage enough to let the story do the selling. In an industry obsessed with showcasing craftsmanship and exclusivity, Cartier took the riskier path: making you feel something first, want something second. 

Staying in Dubai for almost 6 months, I noticed that almost everyone here seems to live a luxurious life, and here's how many can maintain it from my observations:-

Tax-free income & wealth influx: Living here makes you realise how big a difference zero personal income tax actually makes - and it's one reason why over 6,700 millionaires relocated to the UAE in 2024, as per The National

Uneven pay realities: While it's often said that there's no discrimination, in many companies I've noticed locals are paid significantly more than expats, with a visible hierarchy - locals, then Europeans, and Asians often at the lower end.

Luxury pressure: When luxury is everywhere, premium cars, high-end fashion, skyscraper apartments - you naturally start wanting the same lifestyle, even if you're not fully able to afford it yet.

Convenience-driven living: From valet parking to delivery apps and household help, daily life in Dubai is designed to feel premium, which makes a luxury lifestyle easier to maintain.

Aspirational environment: Dubai constantly pushes you to think bigger - the city celebrates success, speed, and scale, which encourages people to spend, grow, and upgrade their lifestyle

Featured in The Free Press Journal

FROM RAJKOT TO SWITZERLAND: MY JOURNEY INTO BUSINESS AND LUXURY 

I recently came across something really interesting — the fastest-growing group of toy buyers isn't kids anymore, it's adults.

When I looked into it, I found that in the U.S. alone, adults spend over $7 billion a year on toys, according to a Business Insider report. This trend even has a name — “Kidulting.” It’s all about Adults reconnecting with their inner child and reliving those small joys from the past.

And there’s actual psychology behind it — nostalgia and play can lower stress, boost your mood, and even improve mental health.

A big part of it, I think, also comes from adult money — the freedom to finally spend on things we missed out on as kids, or simply because it makes us happy. What’s really interesting is how luxury brands are jumping on this trend too — like Gucci x Hot Wheels or Balmain x Barbie, where luxury is being sold back to us as nostalgia.

Even workplaces are catching on. Some companies are adding LEGO corners to spark Creativity, Problem-solving, and reduce stress.

Maybe Kidulting isn’t so childish after all. Perhaps it’s a way for adults to find comfort — a gentle reminder to slow down, create, and hold on to the small sparks of joy amidst a fast-paced world. 

Recently, I came across a thought:

“Hospitality could be a launchpad for Careers, but too often it's a graveyard for dreams.”

During my internship, I saw this firsthand. For some, the industry felt like a trap, forcing them to give up on their original dreams. For others, it became a springboard — a place that gave them discipline, confidence, and essential qualities like resilience, adaptability, and teamwork, which help them succeed in any field. Hospitality is not defined by the role itself, but by the perspective we bring to it.

I think the industry is a double-edged sword. On one hand, it teaches discipline, teamwork, creativity, and resilience, offering a real sense of career growth. On the other hand, long hours, rigid hierarchies, and undervaluation of staff can be exhausting and discouraging.

Experiencing this has shown me that the lessons of hospitality go beyond the job, shaping patience, perseverance, and adaptability — skills that last a lifetime and help to grow in any field. 

Recently, I visited the 𝐑𝐨𝐥𝐞𝐱 𝐁𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐪𝐮𝐞, and the experience revealed just how carefully the brand has built its Aura of 𝐄𝐱𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐭𝐲.

Right from the start, I was welcomed by security and paired with a personal shopper—a thoughtful detail that instantly set the tone of 𝐄𝐱𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐭𝐲.

When I asked to see the 𝐑𝐨𝐥𝐞𝐱 𝐋𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐃𝐰𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐫, the shopper smiled and replied: “𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘵’𝘴 𝘢 𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺 𝘱𝘰𝘱𝘶𝘭𝘢𝘳 𝘮𝘰𝘥𝘦𝘭, 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘸𝘦 𝘥𝘰𝘯’𝘵 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘪𝘵 𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘯𝘰𝘸—𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦’𝘴 𝘢 𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘨 𝘸𝘢𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘵.” In that moment, I realized how Rolex uses Scarcity to fuel Desire.

When I asked again to at least view it, she offered a look through the iPad and then presented an alternative—the 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭. She added: “𝘛𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘪𝘴 𝘰𝘯𝘭𝘺 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘥𝘪𝘴𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘺, 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘴𝘢𝘭𝘦.” It became clear that Rolex gently steers clients toward more accessible models before leading them to the icons—a journey that naturally builds lasting brand loyalty.

Another detail caught my attention: before offering refreshments, the staff observed how I held the watch and how I looked at it—quietly gauging my interest. Only then was I offered juice, served so gracefully that it felt more like being in a luxury lounge than a store.

Throughout, the shopper kept asking:“𝘏𝘰𝘸 𝘥𝘰𝘦𝘴 𝘪𝘵 𝘧𝘦𝘦𝘭? 𝘞𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘥𝘰 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘬 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘥𝘦𝘴𝘪𝘨𝘯 ? ”— encouraging me to imagine ownership rather than making a sales pitch.

That’s when it struck me: Rolex doesn’t sell watches. They sell 𝐀𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧, 𝐈𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐭𝐲, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐁𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠 — by making you part of a Story.

The experience proved that in Luxury, every move is 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥, and 𝐃𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐫𝐞 is carefully created —not accidental. 

When I landed in Dubai to start my internship at Jumeirah Zabeel Saray, I thought it would just be about gaining work experience. But very quickly, I realized — this city is its own classroom. A place where ambition meets diversity, and where every day teaches you something new.

Here’s what life in Dubai as an intern has taught me so far:

High Standards: In Dubai, normal is never enough. To survive, you need to stand out of the box. Here, excellence is just the starting point.

Opportunities Everywhere: In Dubai, work doesn’t happen only through LinkedIn. It happens in coffee shops, at malls, and through the everyday connections you make. Relationships are the real currency here..

Fast-paced Environment: Coming from Switzerland, where life is calm and steady, Dubai feels like a city that never sleeps. Days and nights both have their own rhythm, and to fit in, you have to move with its energy.

Constant Innovation: Look at the skyline, and you’ll see more than skyscrapers — you’ll see motivation. The city constantly pushes you to think creatively, do something different, and go beyond the ordinary.

Cultural Exposure: Imagine living in a city with people from 200+ nationalities — every conversation sharpens adaptability and opens a new perspective