Carece Slaughter

Luxury watches have appreciated 125.1 percent over the past decade on the Knight Frank Luxury Investment Index, ahead of art, wine, coins, and colored diamonds. Value concentrates in a narrow band of scarce references from established maisons  and independent makers; most watches never appreciate at all. Deloitte's 2025 study of the Swiss watch industry found 31 percent of buyers worldwide now shop pre-owned, making authentication and provenance decisive.

Ryan J. Esko is CEO of Balfour & Co., one of the largest commencement services companies in the United States, serving schools, students, and families nationwide. He is leading a digital overhaul focused on customer experience and operational efficiency, with the gains reinvested into future products and infrastructure. Esko earned his Bachelor of Science in Finance at the University of Illinois and completed executive education at Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management.

New research from the Luxury Group by Marriott International identifies four distinct luxury travel mindsets among Gen Z in Asia Pacific, not a single generational profile. The study surveyed 2,800 affluent travelers across eight markets, including 1,200 Gen Z respondents aged 18 to 29, drawn from the wealthiest 10 percent of each country's population. The four mindsets are the Connoisseur Traditionalist (34%), the Future Proofer (30%), the Quiet Luxurist (20%), and the Cultural Reclaimer (16%).