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Italy Watch Market Forecast 2025–2033

Luxury demand, smartwatches, and e-commerce drive growth at a CAGR of 4.51%

By Renub ResearchPublished 4 months ago 5 min read

The Italian watch market is witnessing sustained growth, driven by a mix of luxury demand, smartwatch adoption, and digital retail channels. The market accounted for US$ 3,054.47 million in 2024 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 4.51%, reaching US$ 3,054.47 million by 2033. Italy’s rich tradition in fashion, craftsmanship, and luxury accessories, combined with technological trends, positions the market as one of Europe’s most dynamic.

Italy Watch Market Overview

A watch is a timekeeping device worn on the wrist or carried in the pocket, designed for accuracy, style, and functionality. Over the years, watches have evolved from simple mechanical devices to sophisticated smartwatches offering features like fitness tracking, mobile connectivity, and notifications.

In Italy, watches are not merely functional; they are symbols of fashion, sophistication, and social status. Italians value both aesthetic appeal and precision, creating a strong market for mechanical, quartz, and luxury watches. Modern Italian consumers also gravitate toward smartwatches, blending technology with lifestyle and health-conscious functionality.

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Key Growth Drivers

1. Rising Demand for Luxury Watches

Italy has a high affinity for luxury fashion, making high-end watches a sought-after accessory. Renowned international brands like Rolex and Omega, alongside Italian icons such as Bulgari, dominate the luxury segment. Affluent consumers seek status symbols, superior craftsmanship, and exclusivity, fueling sales of designer and limited-edition watches.

Tourism also contributes significantly, with cities like Milan and Rome attracting wealthy travelers, further boosting luxury watch sales. Personalization trends, high disposable incomes, and premium offerings enhance market growth.

2. Growth in Smartwatch Adoption

Smartwatches have seen rapid adoption in Italy due to the convergence of technology and lifestyle. These devices offer fitness tracking, mobile notifications, health monitoring, and connectivity, making them popular among younger and tech-savvy consumers.

Brands such as Apple, Samsung, Garmin, and Fitbit lead the Italian smartwatch market. Innovative collaborations between fashion and tech companies have resulted in stylish wearable devices, appealing to consumers seeking both functionality and aesthetics.

For instance, in May 2022, Amazfit (Zepp Health) released the T-Rex 2 smartwatch, engineered to withstand 15 military toughness tests, with dual-band GPS and 10 ATM water resistance, catering to outdoor enthusiasts and sports users.

3. Expanding E-Commerce and Omnichannel Retailing

The Italian watch market has been transformed by online shopping and digital marketing. Platforms like Amazon, eBay, and Chrono24 provide access to a broad range of watches, from budget-friendly options to luxury collectibles.

Consumers value features like virtual try-ons, installment plans, and online-exclusive models. Omnichannel retailing—combining physical stores with digital experiences—enhances customer engagement. For example, in March 2022, Kechiq opened its first boutique in Dubai Mall, integrating technology with medium-high-end watch offerings and artistic installations, demonstrating the power of immersive retail experiences.

Challenges in the Italian Watch Market

1. Competition from Smartphones and Wearables

The increasing use of smartphones and wearable devices poses a challenge to traditional watches. Many consumers, especially younger generations, rely on mobile phones for timekeeping, diminishing the need for conventional watches.

Additionally, devices like fitness bands and smart rings compete directly with smartwatches, affecting overall sales of both digital and traditional watch segments.

2. Counterfeit and Grey Market Sales

Italy’s luxury watch sector faces threats from counterfeit products and grey market sales, which erode brand reputation and consumer trust. Unauthorized resellers often sell watches at discounted rates, undermining official pricing strategies and exclusivity, negatively impacting revenue for legitimate retailers.

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Italy Watch Market Segmentation

By Type

Quartz Watches – Favored for accuracy, affordability, and low maintenance. Popular brands include Tissot, Seiko, and Citizen, with a broad range of designs from casual to luxurious.

Electronic Watches – Includes digital and hybrid models, offering features like LED displays, multi-time zones, and stopwatches. Casio and Timex dominate this segment, appealing to adventurers and young adults.

Mechanical Watches – Prized for craftsmanship and traditional appeal. Popular among collectors and luxury buyers.

By Gender

Men’s Watches – Focused on luxury and mechanical designs, with brands like Tag Heuer, Longines, and Omega leading. Men’s watches emphasize style, professionalism, and status.

Women’s Watches – Blend fashion and functionality, with a growing segment in smartwatches for fitness and notifications.

Unisex Watches – Increasingly popular due to versatile designs and multifunctionality, catering to a wider audience.

By Price Range

Luxury Watches – High-end brands like Rolex, Audemars Piguet, and Bulgari dominate, appealing to affluent and collector demographics.

Non-Luxury Watches – Budget-friendly and mid-range options offer functional timepieces, often targeted at students, travelers, and young professionals.

By Distribution Channel

Hypermarkets/Supermarkets – Offer mid-range watches accessible to a broad audience.

Convenience Stores – Focused on budget-conscious consumers, providing simple digital and functional watches from brands like Casio and Swatch.

Online – Fastest-growing channel, offering both luxury and pre-owned watches, customization options, virtual consultations, and doorstep delivery.

Italy Market Insights

Quartz Watch Market

Quartz watches dominate due to accuracy, reliability, and wide design options. Italian consumers value brands that combine functionality with style, catering to both everyday users and fashion-conscious buyers.

Electronic Watch Market

Electronic watches, including hybrids and digital timepieces, are increasingly popular among young adults and tech-savvy users. These watches are designed for practicality and aesthetics, often integrated with fitness and outdoor functionalities.

Men’s Watch Market

Men’s watches in Italy are largely luxury and mechanical. They serve as symbols of refinement, professional status, and personal style. Corporate and fashion-conscious consumers contribute significantly to this segment.

Luxury Watch Market

Luxury watches remain central to Italian preferences. Brands like Rolex, Audemars Piguet, and Bulgari appeal to high-net-worth individuals and serious collectors. The exclusivity, superior materials, and intricate craftsmanship of these watches make them a status symbol and a fashion statement.

Convenience Store Segment

Convenience stores provide affordable, functional watches for travelers, students, and budget-conscious buyers. While smaller in revenue than luxury or online channels, they ensure broad accessibility for practical timepieces.

Online Watch Market

Online sales are reshaping the Italian watch industry, offering consumers a wide range of products at competitive prices. E-commerce allows virtual consultations, customization options, and exclusive online releases, making it a vibrant and expanding channel.

Competitive Landscape

Key players in Italy’s watch market include:

Fossil Group Inc. – Known for hybrid and fashion watches.

Casio Computer Co. Ltd – Dominates electronic and digital watch segments.

Timex Group – Offers affordable yet functional electronic watches.

Rolex SA – Luxury watch leader with premium craftsmanship and global brand recognition.

Compagnie Financière Richemont S.A – Luxury portfolio including Cartier and IWC.

Google LLC (Fitbit Inc.) – Smartwatches for fitness and lifestyle applications.

Citizen Watch Co. Ltd. – Mid-range and high-precision quartz watches.

Seiko Group Corporation – Combines quartz and mechanical innovations for multiple market segments.

These companies focus on innovation, brand heritage, and digital engagement, supporting Italy’s growing demand for luxury, smart, and multifunctional watches.

Market Outlook

The Italian watch market is expected to maintain steady growth, driven by:

Strong luxury watch demand fueled by affluent consumers and collectors.

Rising smartwatch adoption for lifestyle, health, and fitness purposes.

Expansion of online sales and omnichannel retailing, improving accessibility and consumer engagement.

Continued interest in mechanical and quartz watches for style, craftsmanship, and reliability.

Innovation in wearable technology and partnerships between fashion and tech companies.

With evolving consumer preferences and the convergence of fashion, technology, and functionality, Italy’s watch market is well-positioned to remain a key European hub for watches, balancing traditional craftsmanship with modern innovation.

Note: If you need details, data, or insights not covered in this report, we are glad to assist. Through our customization service, we will collect and deliver the information you require, tailored to your specific needs. Share your requirements with us, and we will update the report to align with your expectations.

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About the Creator

Renub Research

Renub Research is a Market Research and Consulting Company. We have more than 15 years of experience especially in international Business-to-Business Researches, Surveys and Consulting. Call Us : +1-478-202-3244

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