Swiss watchmakers go digital to show off new products, revive sales

The HO8 model of Hermes is pictured during a media presentation at the Watches & Wonders in Geneva, Switzerland, April 6, 2021. REUTERS/Denis Balibouse

ZURICH (Reuters) - Luxury Swiss watchmakers, usually not big fans of online retailing, are launching a new all-digital Watches & Wonders event on Wednesday to display their latest products, hoping to revive sales hit by the coronavirus crisis.

Makers of high-end watches still largely rely on physical stores for sales, but the success of online platforms for pre-owned watches, such as WatchBox or Richemont's Watchfinder, have shown it is possible to sell luxury timepieces online.