Patek Philippe SA

From the diamond Patek Philippe, to Krayon's glowing aurora borealis-inspired green, the colour green is taking over the watch industry

A Patek Philippe wristwatch once owned by China's last emperor sold for more than $6 million at auction in Hong Kong on May 23.

The Ref 96 Quantieme Lune timepiece, which boasts a crown-like moon phase, originally belonged to Aisin-Gioro Puyi, the final monarch of the Chinese Qing dynasty.

The Geneva watch fair opened on March 27 buoyed by booming growth in the watchmaking industry, but insiders warily eyed the banking sector turmoil, evoking painful memories of the 2008 financial crisis.

Swiss watches are in high demand these days, but sales of second-hand timepieces are also booming, driven by Generation Z buyers who want luxury goods but are also sustainability-minded.

There are many rags-to-riches success stories involving Albanian immigrants in Switzerland, where four players in the national football team are of Albanian or Kosovo origin - Granit Xhaka, Valon Behrami, Xherdan Shaqiri and Blerim Dzemaili.