■ 年度网球团体赛精彩上演 9月19日至21日，众多男子网球精英齐聚美国，参与2025年拉沃杯的赛事。这项赛事每年于全球的知名城市举办，今年首次落地美国旧金 山，让更多的美国球迷有机会见证这一年度网球团体赛的精彩对决。 劳力士代言人罗德·拉沃及罗杰·费德勒与拉沃杯奖杯合影 ©Rolex/Antoine Couvercelle 拉沃杯由网坛传奇、劳力士代言人罗杰·费德勒参与创立，首届赛事于2017年在捷克布拉格举办，至今已是第8年。如果对网球比较了 解，想必会想到赛事名称从何而来——为了致敬澳大利亚的网球名宿、同为劳力士代言人的罗德·拉沃。这位澳大利亚球员曾11次获得大 满贯赛事冠军，是迄今唯一在同年包揽四项大满贯赛事男子单打冠军的职业球员（1969年），此外，他还曾在1962年以业余选手的身份 同样创此壮举。 拉沃杯的赛事奖杯还是由罗德·拉沃1967年在波士顿郊区栗子山草地俱乐部获得的美国职业网球锦标赛冠军奖杯熔铸而成，十分具有纪念 意义。 赛事兼具表演性质，强调团队对抗与球星参与，共分为欧洲队与国际队两队，每队由6名球员组成，通过三天赛程进行单打及双打比赛。 比赛采用逐日递增积分机制：首日每场胜者获1分，次 ...

Core Viewpoint - RICHARD MILLE represents a fusion of contemporary art and advanced watchmaking, challenging traditional boundaries of structure, aesthetics, and philosophy through innovative designs and materials [2][3][4]. Group 1: Innovation in Watchmaking - RICHARD MILLE's workshop functions as a miniature art laboratory, where each watch embodies a challenge to the limits of form, material, and function [2]. - The brand utilizes cutting-edge materials like titanium and carbon fiber, pushing the boundaries of mechanical design [2][3]. Group 2: Collaboration with Contemporary Art - Since 2019, RICHARD MILLE has established a strategic alliance with the Palais de Tokyo, supporting avant-garde art and aligning with the center's philosophy of disruption and creation [3]. - The partnership with the Louvre Abu Dhabi includes a ten-year collaboration to promote local and international artists through the RICHARD MILLE Art Prize, focusing on themes of memory, time, and territory [4]. Group 3: Artistic Expression in Timepieces - RICHARD MILLE's watches, such as RM 63-01 and RM 75-01, draw inspiration from various artistic concepts, integrating poetry and architectural elements into their designs [7][9]. - The brand's collaboration with artists like Pharrell Williams and choreographer Benjamin Millepied results in timepieces that reflect a narrative beyond mere functionality, transforming watches into micro art systems [9].

Core Viewpoint - The article highlights the historical and contemporary significance of women in leadership roles, particularly in the watchmaking industry, exemplified by Betty Fiechter, the first female leader in Swiss watchmaking, who redefined gender narratives in a male-dominated field [2][5][11]. Group 1: Historical Context - Betty Fiechter began her journey as an apprentice in a watch workshop, where she learned the value of patience and foresight through her experiences with timepieces [5]. - In the 1930s, she led the development of automatic winding women's watches, emphasizing elegance and precision, which challenged the notion of women as mere extensions of jewelry [8]. - Fiechter's commitment to mechanical craftsmanship during the quartz crisis of the 1970s demonstrated her belief that mechanical watches represented a philosophy of thought and aesthetics, preserving the spirit of the industry [11]. Group 2: Contemporary Implications - The article discusses the emergence of a new generation of women who are redefining their roles across various fields, including literature, sports, and academia, emphasizing the importance of individual agency and choice [16][21]. - The podcast "Blancpain Has Time" serves as a platform for women from diverse backgrounds to share their experiences, transforming personal narratives into collective wisdom that can inspire others [23]. - The concept of "opening roads" is explored, where women are encouraged to expand their paths and share their experiences, creating a network of support and empowerment [21][23]. Group 3: Philosophical Reflections - The article posits that both literature and watchmaking share a common belief in the importance of detail and patience, with both fields valuing the unseen efforts that contribute to their respective crafts [15]. - The narrative emphasizes that idealism is not merely a lofty concept but can be manifested in everyday practices, encouraging individuals to engage deeply with their work and lives [15][24]. - The closing reflections suggest that the dialogue between time and personal experience is ongoing, with the potential for continuous growth and understanding through shared stories and experiences [26][27].

Group 1 - The U.S. will impose a 39% tariff on goods imported from Switzerland starting August 7, making Switzerland one of the few countries facing such high tariffs, second only to Brazil, Laos, Myanmar, and Syria [1][2] - The announcement coincided with Switzerland's National Day on August 1, which has been described as a significant humiliation for the country [2] - The trade deficit between the U.S. and Switzerland has surged, reaching nearly $50 billion in the first five months of the year, ranking Switzerland as the fifth largest trade deficit partner of the U.S. [5] Group 2 - Swiss officials were caught off guard by the high tariffs, as they believed negotiations with U.S. representatives were progressing well, with Switzerland expressing confidence in reaching a trade agreement [3][9] - The Swiss economy is heavily reliant on foreign trade, with approximately 19% of its exports going to the U.S., making it the largest export market for Switzerland [9] - The Swiss pharmaceutical industry, which exports about 60% of its products to the U.S., is under scrutiny, as it has been suggested that it may have hindered negotiations with the U.S. [12] Group 3 - The Swiss stock market is expected to open lower following the tariff announcement, with major companies like Novartis, Roche, and Nestlé listed on the Swiss exchange [12] - Analysts predict that if the tariffs remain unchanged, Switzerland's GDP could decline by approximately 0.6 percentage points, with more severe impacts if pharmaceuticals are excluded from tariff exemptions [13]

Core Viewpoint - The luxury watch market, particularly for Rolex, is experiencing a significant decline in second-hand prices, indicating a broader systemic crisis in the luxury goods industry [2][3][4]. Group 1: Market Trends - Rolex's second-hand prices have plummeted from 1.2 million to 500,000, a drop of over 58% [2]. - Other luxury watch brands like Patek Philippe and Audemars Piguet have also seen price declines of 6.5% and 7.4% respectively [3]. - The luxury goods sector is facing challenges, with Kering Group's revenue dropping by 15% in 2023 and Prada reducing the price of its classic nylon bags by 20% [3]. Group 2: Supply and Demand Dynamics - The primary reason for the collapse in the second-hand market is Rolex's mismanagement of supply and demand, which has eroded the perceived value of its watches as investment items [5][6]. - Rolex increased its annual production from 1 million to 1.24 million watches in 2022, leading to a significant reduction in the exclusivity that previously supported high prices [7]. - The introduction of officially certified refurbished Rolex watches has further disrupted the second-hand market by providing consumers with a safer purchasing option, thus diminishing the expected scarcity [8]. Group 3: Consumer Behavior and Economic Factors - The luxury market is witnessing a shift in consumer behavior, with middle-class consumers moving towards practicality and value for money, leading to a decline in luxury spending [11][14]. - High net-worth individuals are increasingly favoring gold as a more stable investment compared to luxury watches, reflecting a broader trend of declining confidence in luxury goods as investment vehicles [9][13]. - The financial pressures of housing, education, and healthcare are forcing consumers to cut back on discretionary spending, contributing to the overall decline in luxury consumption [15]. Group 4: Future Directions for Luxury Brands - Luxury brands may need to pivot towards experiential consumption and technological integration to attract consumers, as evidenced by Moncler's successful experiential marketing strategies [21]. - The potential for "light luxury" products, which offer high-end technology at lower price points, could be a viable strategy for brands looking to expand their customer base [20]. - The luxury goods industry must find new value anchors, as the traditional notions of scarcity and financialization are being challenged by changing consumer perceptions [22][23].