Watch connoisseurs would probably have visited many of the lavish retail outlets operated by The Hour Glass and Cortina. Inside, people can indulge in the multi-sensory experience by admiring and trying out their luxury watch collection of brands like Patek Philippe, Cartier, Rolex and more. However, with the COVID pandemic in full swing the past 2 years or so, watch retailers are embracing the shift to online sales as well as adopting an omni-channel approach. Needless to say, the pandemic has caused disruption to the usual manner of how people purchase these luxurious timepieces in the physical outlets. On the other hand, this digital shift has also benefitted online-focused retailers like Chrono24 and Chronext. According to Reuters, Switzerland’s Chronext was planning an initial public offering (IPO) that could value the online marketplace for new and pre-owned luxury watches at more than US$1 billion. Its rival Chrono24 also had the...