Jaquet Droz, Swatch Group's high-end watchmaker, ended its 18-year Japan business

Jaquet Droz, the 287-year-old Swiss luxury watchmaker owned by Swatch Group, closed its sole Japan boutique at Ginza on March 16, 2025, effectively ending the brand's presence in one of the world's largest luxury watch markets. The boutique had operated since 2007. Swatch Group Japan posted the closure notice on its website on March 10, stating after-sales service would continue by phone and email.

The closure was notable because high-end watch demand in Japan remained strong through 2024 and early 2025, driven by a weak yen that attracted tourists and boosted domestic luxury spending. The WWD Japan article covering the exit reported the decision as unexpected amid sustained watch enthusiasm.

Jaquet Droz had maintained only the single Ginza boutique in Japan, a minimal footprint for a brand in Swatch Group's high-end portfolio alongside Blancpain, Breguet, and Omega. The single-store strategy meant the Japan business had high fixed costs relative to revenue, and the brand lacked the scale to absorb rising Ginza rents and operational costs.

The exit reflected Swatch Group's broader strategy of consolidating its niche luxury brands into fewer, more profitable retail points globally, prioritising markets where each brand could sustain multiple stores and dedicated marketing investment.