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Omega price increase: May 2025

vintage hab
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I received an email last night from my local OB:

“I was notified just moments ago that we'll have an increase taking effect on ALL things beginning May 1st. So with that in mind, I will place holds on any watches we have in stock for up to 5 days to accommodate client requests and work with your schedules.”

No mention of increase amount or tariffs…. This is from the OB in King of Prussia PA (near Philadelphia).
 
Dan S
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Maybe tariffs, although they are supposedly paused. Could also be a currency issue I suppose.
 
Evitzee
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With the Swiss Franc at all time high against the USD something had to give. And it's been a few years since the last increase, so not too surprising.
 
Hert3
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Expect the worst and hope for the best. Buy now if you can.
 
bsowers34
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I'm glad that my Snoopy 50 came in February. I don't have any purchases "planned" for the rest of the year but we know how that goes.
 
glownyc
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Dan S Dan S
Maybe tariffs, although they are supposedly paused. Could also be a currency issue I suppose.
Only the latest escalation was paused. Tariff on Swiss watches still went from 3% to 10%

https://www.hodinkee.com/articles/s...in-response-to-rising-swiss-franc-and-tariffs

"A Swatch Group spokesman confirmed that the company was raising prices on some brands, citing "two main reasons" for the increases: the dramatic shift in exchange rates between the U.S. and Swiss currencies and increased tariffs."
 
Meme-Dweller
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Blaming the price increase on tariffs is just an advantageous excuse thanks to [insert current event here]. Realistically, this has very little to do with the US tariffs, especially since they're not raising prices just for the US and no word on if they're increasing prices for accessories like straps, wallets, etc.. They've always increased prices every few years.

Hypothetical: If Omega/Swatch Group raises the prices, then a week later, Trump magically negotiates a 0% tariff rate both ways with Switzerland with a guarantee of no tariffs for 5 years, are the prices going to be dropped? If the answer is no, it was never about the tariffs to begin with.
Edited:
 
Ultraman Zoffy
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My Planet Ocean was expensive enough. Not long ago, I listened to a YouTube video stating that Omega has one of the lowest rates for follow-up buyers on new watches (meaning many buyers don't purchase a second watch after their first one). Looks like that's gonna apply to me as the cost/value ratio just personally isn't there. Don't get me wrong, I love my PO but I don't get any more enjoyment from it that I do from my much less costly Sinns, Tudor, Seikos, or Orients.
 
Annapolis
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I am no economist. But the Swiss watch market has been in steady decline (both new and preowned), and we appear to be entering a major recession amidst a trade war that could have people struggling to afford essential goods—and a luxury watch company’s decision is to raise prices?

I decided years ago that I’d never pay new prices for an Omega—always buy preowned. New, they’re just so unrealistically priced based on actual street value (except for a few specific models, of course). Are dealers really selling enough run of the mill Seamasters and DeVilles to justify this? Every time I stop by my local AD I see the same watches sitting in the same cases…

I get that this is a luxury item—it’s inherently out of touch with reality, as probably 99% of people would never pay $7000 for a watch even if they could technically afford to (and many of us obsessives who do do that technically can’t!), but in the present moment, this move feels particularly dumb.
 
502 to right
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Annapolis Annapolis
I decided years ago that I’d never pay new prices for an Omega—always buy preowned. New, they’re just so unrealistically priced based on actual street value (except for a few specific models, of course). Are dealers really selling enough run of the mill Seamasters and DeVilles to justify this? Every time I stop by my local AD I see the same watches sitting in the same cases…

I currently own 10 Omegas. The most recent made is from 2014. The oldest is from 1995. None of them were purchased new. So when I say I'm not participating in this price increase it's not really a hardship for me.
 
502 to right
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Annapolis Annapolis
Have prices ever decreased?
For a luxury brand? Pretty much no. Price decreases for a luxury brand is thought of as a death knell.
 
YY77
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Annapolis Annapolis
Have prices ever decreased?
On a local forum there was a comparison between a JLC 36 MUT MOON with ref Q1248420 (MSRP €12.8k at an AD) and the Q1248421 (9.9k). The question was asked to JLC CS what the difference was as the new one was cheaper, they came back to him with this reply;

Thank you for your message and for your interest in Jaeger-LeCoultre.

It is a pleasure to hear that you are interested in our beautiful Master Ultra Thin Moon. Regarding your inquiry I can inform you that the 36mm version has indeed been re-introduced under a new reference and with an adjusted price.

The current model has a black alligator strap attached compared to the blue one in the previous version. Furthermore, Jaeger-LeCoultre has decided to make this particular timepiece in the 36mm version more approachable and entry level friendly, which is why the price has accordingly been adjusted. I hope that you appreciate this.

Should you be interested in placing an order for this timepiece, I invite you to reach out to us at +49 692 222 10 23. I am looking forward to hearing back from you and wish you a pleasant afternoon!

Warm regards,

*Marc *

Jaeger-LeCoultre Customer Service
RLG Europe B.V.
 
glownyc
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Meme-Dweller Meme-Dweller
Blaming the price increase on tariffs is just an advantageous excuse thanks to [insert current event here]. Realistically, this has very little to do with the US tariffs, especially since they're not raising prices just for the US and no word on if they're increasing prices for accessories like straps, wallets, etc.. They've always increased prices every few years.

Hypothetical: If Omega/Swatch Group raises the prices, then a week later, Trump magically negotiates a 0% tariff rate both ways with Switzerland with a guarantee of no tariffs for 5 years, are the prices going to be dropped? If the answer is no, it was never about the tariffs to begin with.
Yes I'm sure a 233% increase in tariffs had nothing to do with this US only increase ::facepalm1::
 
Evitzee
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A company like Swatch doesn't act immediately to raise prices, whatever increase is coming was in the pipeline for many months. In less than six months the tariff issue will have been put to bed and we'll likely end up where we started. The big driver in the increase is exchange rates....the Swiss Franc was 1.10 to the USD last year, now it's 1.22 and rising. And general inflation the last four years was about 20%, another driver. Tariffs are a convenient excuse that will be used across all industries.
Edited:
 
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