GITNUXREPORT 2025

Diversity, Equity, And Inclusion In The Watch Industry Statistics

Most watch consumers desire more diversity, inclusivity, yet industry lags behind.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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Statistic 1

45% of watch consumers believe brands should do more to promote diversity and inclusion

Statistic 2

78% of consumers consider a brand’s commitment to diversity and inclusion when making purchasing decisions

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52% of millennials say they've increased their spending on brands with diverse leadership

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42% of watch consumers believe that brands with diverse representation are more authentic

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48% of consumers under 30 prefer brands that actively promote diversity and inclusion

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68% of watch consumers believe that brands showcasing diverse personalities are more innovative

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70% of respondents to a survey believe diversity and inclusion efforts benefit company reputation

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Companies that have committed to diversity and inclusion report 22% higher revenue growth compared to industry averages

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60% of watch brands have launched at least one initiative aimed at increasing racial and gender diversity since 2020

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65% of watch brands have incorporated diversity and inclusion training for their employees

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35% of watch industry companies have set measurable goals to improve diversity over the next five years

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Only 14% of watch industry board members are women

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Only 7% of high-profile marketing ambassadors in the watch industry are from minority backgrounds

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58% of employees in the watch industry feel that their companies do not do enough to promote racial diversity

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Only 5% of watch firms have specific diversity goals for their supply chains

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62% of watch industry leaders agree that diversity and inclusion are essential to innovation

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31% of watch consumers have expressed concern over a lack of diversity in the industry

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43% of watch brands have considered implementing policies to increase gender diversity but have yet to do so

Statistic 19

53% of industry employees believe that increasing diversity improves overall product creativity

Statistic 20

Only 11% of sponsored athletes or influencers in the watch industry are from minority backgrounds

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75% of watch retail staff believe that diversity initiatives positively affect customer service quality

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27% of watch executives acknowledge that their company needs to improve its diversity tracking and reporting

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69% of luxury watch brands have publicly committed to increasing diversity within their organizations

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80% of watch brands have diversity and inclusion policies published on their corporate websites

Statistic 25

Only 9% of marketing campaigns in the watch industry explicitly promote diversity

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40% of watch brands have experienced increased sales after launching inclusive marketing campaigns

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3% of luxury watch advertisements feature models with visible disabilities

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Only 12% of executive roles in the watch industry are held by women

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Women account for only 18% of design roles within the watch industry

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The average salary gap between men and women in the watch industry is approximately 25%

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The percentage of BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) designers in the watch industry is less than 10%

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55% of employees in the watch industry believe their workplace lacks adequate diversity and inclusion measures

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The proportion of LGBTQ+ individuals working in watch brand leadership roles is approximately 3%

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The average age of BIPOC employees in luxury watch companies is 32, lower than the industry average of 38

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29% of underrepresented groups in the watch industry have experienced discrimination or bias

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Key Highlights

45% of watch consumers believe brands should do more to promote diversity and inclusion
Only 12% of executive roles in the watch industry are held by women
60% of watch brands have launched at least one initiative aimed at increasing racial and gender diversity since 2020
78% of consumers consider a brand’s commitment to diversity and inclusion when making purchasing decisions
Women account for only 18% of design roles within the watch industry
52% of millennials say they've increased their spending on brands with diverse leadership
The average salary gap between men and women in the watch industry is approximately 25%
65% of watch brands have incorporated diversity and inclusion training for their employees
Only 9% of marketing campaigns in the watch industry explicitly promote diversity
42% of watch consumers believe that brands with diverse representation are more authentic
The percentage of BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) designers in the watch industry is less than 10%
35% of watch industry companies have set measurable goals to improve diversity over the next five years
Only 14% of watch industry board members are women

Despite growing awareness and numerous initiatives, the watch industry continues to grapple with significant diversity, equity, and inclusion challenges, with only a small fraction of leadership roles held by women and minorities, yet a clear consumer shift favoring brands that actively promote representation and authentic inclusivity.

Consumer Attitudes and Preferences

45% of watch consumers believe brands should do more to promote diversity and inclusion
78% of consumers consider a brand’s commitment to diversity and inclusion when making purchasing decisions
52% of millennials say they've increased their spending on brands with diverse leadership
42% of watch consumers believe that brands with diverse representation are more authentic
48% of consumers under 30 prefer brands that actively promote diversity and inclusion
68% of watch consumers believe that brands showcasing diverse personalities are more innovative
70% of respondents to a survey believe diversity and inclusion efforts benefit company reputation

Consumer Attitudes and Preferences Interpretation

With nearly three-quarters of watch consumers weighing a brand’s diversity commitment in their purchasing not only as a moral choice but a mark of authenticity and innovation, the industry’s future hinges on more than just ticking clocks—it's about making diversity its latest premium feature.

Corporate Initiatives and Commitments

Companies that have committed to diversity and inclusion report 22% higher revenue growth compared to industry averages

Corporate Initiatives and Commitments Interpretation

Diversity and inclusion aren't just good ethics—they're good business, as companies embracing these principles in the watch industry see a striking 22% higher revenue growth than their industry peers.

Industry Diversity and Inclusion

60% of watch brands have launched at least one initiative aimed at increasing racial and gender diversity since 2020
65% of watch brands have incorporated diversity and inclusion training for their employees
35% of watch industry companies have set measurable goals to improve diversity over the next five years
Only 14% of watch industry board members are women
Only 7% of high-profile marketing ambassadors in the watch industry are from minority backgrounds
58% of employees in the watch industry feel that their companies do not do enough to promote racial diversity
Only 5% of watch firms have specific diversity goals for their supply chains
62% of watch industry leaders agree that diversity and inclusion are essential to innovation
31% of watch consumers have expressed concern over a lack of diversity in the industry
43% of watch brands have considered implementing policies to increase gender diversity but have yet to do so
53% of industry employees believe that increasing diversity improves overall product creativity
Only 11% of sponsored athletes or influencers in the watch industry are from minority backgrounds
75% of watch retail staff believe that diversity initiatives positively affect customer service quality
27% of watch executives acknowledge that their company needs to improve its diversity tracking and reporting
69% of luxury watch brands have publicly committed to increasing diversity within their organizations
80% of watch brands have diversity and inclusion policies published on their corporate websites

Industry Diversity and Inclusion Interpretation

While over 80% of watch brands tout their diversity policies online, only 14% of board members and a mere 7% of high-profile ambassadors hail from minority backgrounds, revealing that the industry's ticking time bomb is not just about hours and minutes but a race to genuinely synchronize inclusivity with innovation.

Marketing and Representation

Only 9% of marketing campaigns in the watch industry explicitly promote diversity
40% of watch brands have experienced increased sales after launching inclusive marketing campaigns
3% of luxury watch advertisements feature models with visible disabilities

Marketing and Representation Interpretation

Despite only 9% of watch brands explicitly promoting diversity, the striking 40% sales increase from inclusive campaigns suggests that embracing true inclusivity could be the ultimate timekeeper for industry success—though with only 3% of luxury ads featuring models with disabilities, there's still a long way to go before inclusivity truly ticks all the boxes.

Workforce Composition and Equity

Only 12% of executive roles in the watch industry are held by women
Women account for only 18% of design roles within the watch industry
The average salary gap between men and women in the watch industry is approximately 25%
The percentage of BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) designers in the watch industry is less than 10%
55% of employees in the watch industry believe their workplace lacks adequate diversity and inclusion measures
The proportion of LGBTQ+ individuals working in watch brand leadership roles is approximately 3%
The average age of BIPOC employees in luxury watch companies is 32, lower than the industry average of 38
29% of underrepresented groups in the watch industry have experienced discrimination or bias

Workforce Composition and Equity Interpretation

Despite its reputation for timeless precision, the watch industry is still ticking behind in diversity, with only 12% of executive roles occupied by women, less than 10% of BIPOC designers, and a substantial perception among employees that inclusion remains a broken gear in its mechanisms.