2012 seems to be the year of watches. Whether it is for collecting or to protect one's prices from the volatility of the financial markets, the turnover of the auctions has intensified its growth trend in the first half of the year. To offer a guide to investing in precious watches and to understand whether the segment could enter the category of safe-haven assets, Monte dei Paschi di Siena elaborates the Mps Watches Index. The index is constructed taking into consideration the results of major auction house transactions in Geneva, Hong Kong and New York.
What emerges is that the watch market is among those that has recorded the greatest growth in the last six years compared to the other minor arts, being preceded only by jewellery, fine wines and antiques. In the first half of 2012 the index grew by 31,2% compared to the same period last year. The pieces left unsold remain in decline while the offer is characterized by a greater availability of very high-end pieces. Driving the growth of the sector, which boasts a growing base of collectors, is Asia. Hong Kong is carving out an increasing share of the turnover every year, having gone from 28,8% of the total turnover in 2010 to 33,6% in 2012. Precious watches appear to offer an excellent investment opportunity but remain a difficult sector in which requires knowledge and preparation.
For those wishing to learn more, the complete version of the Monte dei Paschi si Siena report is attached.
Attachments: Time to invest - Strategic Planning Research Area and IR.pdf
