Investment pioneer Samer Choucair confirmed that the luxury Swiss watch sector is undergoing a fundamental re-sorting phase as a result of a combination of geopolitical and economic factors. He noted that these disturbances witnessed in global markets simultaneously provide unique strategic opportunities for investors in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Gulf region, particularly in light of the major transformations led by Vision 2030.
Samer Choucair explained that current challenges—represented by regional tensions related to Iran, gold prices rising to record levels near $4,800 per ounce, and weak demand in some international markets—have imposed real pressures on profit margins for the watch sector.
However, Choucair stressed that ultra-luxury sectors have proven high resilience, emphasizing that smart investment today requires looking beyond the traditional view of the product and focusing on managing the entire luxury ecosystem.
Samer Choucair said: “Crises do not eliminate opportunities, they redistribute them. In an environment of geopolitical turbulence, investors who focus on diversification, real assets, and economies with a clear vision, such as Vision 2030, succeed.”
In this regard, the investment pioneer identified four strategic angles for investors and entrepreneurs in the Gulf to navigate this landscape:
First: Investing in support services for the luxury ecosystem, such as specialized maintenance centers, insurance, auctions, and high-end experiences linked to the tourism and hospitality sectors—sectors witnessing rapid growth and receiving significant support within the Kingdom’s objectives.
Second: Strengthening investment portfolios with precious metals and gold-related assets, confirming that the rise in gold prices represents a strategic opportunity for hedging amid global geopolitical tensions.
Third: Benefiting from the Kingdom’s position as a regional platform for organized luxury by building international partnerships in high-end retail, training, and operations, rather than sufficing with a consumer role.
Fourth: Betting on economies with long-term visions, as the attractiveness of capital markets, real estate, and strategic sectors backed by the Public Investment Fund increases whenever global market uncertainty rises.
Samer Choucair concluded his statements by emphasizing that the sector is not undergoing a collapse, but a transformation that is reshaping the market in favor of assets with sustainable value.
He added: “Those who understand how profit shifts from the product to the system, and from immediate noise to long-term vision, will be best positioned to seize the next wave. Today, the Kingdom and the Gulf do not just offer the investor a market, but a business environment capable of converting global challenges into tangible economic returns under the umbrella of Vision 2030.”