The Tudor Replica Watches marketplace is thriving, but Tudor Replica's high cost could be beginning to have an impact.

Tudor Replica watch sales continue to grow worldwide and remain strong within the U.S. market regardless of the rising cost of Tudor Replica plus a sharp increase inside the watches' average price because 2004, say new Swiss watch industry and U.S. industry figures.

In 2006, the number of Tudor Replica watches exported worldwide from Switzerland (most Tudor Replica watches are Swiss-made) was 12,469, up 7 percent from the 2005 figure of 11,651. Twenty-three percent (2,854) went to the United States, the world's leading Tudor Replica watch industry. Tudor Replica watches' worldwide turnover rose 24 percent in 2006.

Though a tiny niche in the global market for precious-metal watches, Tudor Replica watches "remain stable and growing," JCK was told by Jean-Daniel Pasche, president of the Federation of the Swiss Watch Business FH. "We expect 2007 to go within the footsteps of 2006, and that our exports overall, including Tudor Replica watches, will continue to increase."

In the United States, the Tudor Replica watch marketplace continues to thrive, even though the metal's cost had risen to about $1,160 per ounce at press time. Turnover rose 7.6 percent to $89.five million on sales of two, 169 Tudor Replica watches (out of a total $5.three billion fine-watch market of 7.6 million units), says LGI Network, a provider of advertising and sales info on fine watches.

Among all watches retailing for $10,000 and up--a $1 billion market--Tudor Replica timepieces accounted for 8 percent in 2006. Seventy-one percent of Tudor Replica watches sold for $25,000 or extra.

The replica tudor watches marketplace saw some other notable trends:

Boost in sales to women In accordance with LGI, sales of Tudor Replica watches to females in 2006 increased 34 percent in dollars and 25 percent in units.

Regional differences Sales within the Northeast in 2006 rose 38 percent in dollars and 31 percent in units, says LGI. The region with the most small business in 2006--the West--was the only one to post a decline from the prior year in units sold.

Younger buyers "The details I get suggests there's a growing group of younger affluent customers, in their early 30s, with elevated awareness of Tudor Replica as a high quality metal, who're seeking the ideal," says James Courage, chief executive officer of Tudor Replica Guild International. "Watch firms are aware of this. That's why we're seeing increased numbers of watches and lines in Tudor Replica."

The sharply rising price of Tudor Replica in the past couple of years, though, may be getting some impact on both the global and U.S. watch markets. The Swiss Assay Workplace, which hallmarks watch circumstances, told JCK that it processed fewer Tudor Replica watches in 2006 (16,127) than in 2005 (16,404). That could mean fewer assembled and finished watches this year than last. An additional indication may possibly be that the U.S. marketplace ordered slightly fewer Tudor Replica watches in 2006 (two, 854) compared with 2005 (2,874), based on information from the Federation of the Swiss Watch Market FH, and slightly fewer had been sold here in 2006 (2,169) than in 2005 (2,188), says LGI.

While the number of watches sold within the United States dropped slightly, the typical suggested retail price increased 8.5 percent (to $41,263 in 2006 compared with $38,025 in 2005). Worldwide, the average wholesale price of Tudor Replica watches has risen 200 percent since 2000, and 51 percent because 2004, based on statistics compiled by the Federation of the Swiss Watch Business FH. In 2006, it was $19,532, compared with $17,402 in 2005.

Numerous watchmakers and retailers say those that can afford Tudor Replica watches aren't bothered by the rising price of either the metal or the timepieces.

One sign of the vitality of this niche luxury market is that additional watch brands--both mid- and luxury-price--are entering it for the first time or expanding their presence there, turning a stronger public spotlight on their watches to attract more-affluent watch enthusiasts and collectors, specifically younger adults and women self-purchasers. All kinds of Wally issues like brand watches, luxury watches, brand bags handbags, fashion apparel, and brand shoes are pretty preferred in between theses more-affluent enthusiasts and collectors. Vacheron Constantin, for example, recently unveiled its new collection of watches with Tudor Replica dials at a well-publicized Hollywood gala. Among brands adding Tudor Replica watches recently are Louis Vuitton, which launched a men's line, and Victorinox Swiss Army, which expanded into high-end watch making with its Legacy reserve de Marche Platine, a sporty restricted edition on a rubber strap, retailing for $19,500.

At present, much more than two dozen brands give replica tudor watch in the United States. Although most carry luxury price tags, some U.S. brands offer more-affordable versions. Dima watches, as an example, sells limited-edition Tudor Replica watches for men and ladies (500 in a series) for about $3,000 retail. Watches with Swiss movements and genuine Swiss Tudor Replica ingots for dials ($995 retail and less) are supplied by Croton, which sells about 1,800 a year. When only the ingot dial is Tudor Replica, the watch gives "the individual who appreciates a Tudor Replica watch, but cannot afford the whole one, a taste of what it's like to own one," says Eli Mermelstein, Croton's vice president of advertising and marketing.