As a second-generation leader of Adina Watches, I’ve been fortunate to grow up not only in a family business but also in an industry that has shaped how I see Australia, manufacturing, and resilience. When I look toward 2026, I do so with a sense of realism grounded in experience, but also with genuine optimism.
Economically, Australia continues to face headwinds. Cost-of-living pressures, cautious consumer sentiment, and global uncertainty haven’t magically disappeared. Yet, what I’m seeing on the ground tells a more encouraging story. At Adina, we are forecasting strong growth through 2026, particularly across our direct-to-consumer and corporate channels. These areas have matured significantly over recent years, allowing us to engage more deeply with customers, tell our story more clearly, and respond faster to their needs.
That growth does not diminish the role of our independent retailers. Far from it. They remain the backbone of the Australian watch and jewellery landscape. However, the reality is that the independent retail sector is, sadly, contracting. We’re seeing fewer new entrants, fewer next-generation family successors, and a gradual consolidation of long-standing businesses. This is not a criticism. It is simply the demographic and economic reality of where the industry stands. As a result, brands like Adina are being asked to do more with less. We are supporting our retailers more actively by investing in education, marketing, and sell-through strategies, while simultaneously strengthening our direct customer relationships.
Culturally, I believe 2026 will mark a continued and meaningful shift back toward supporting Australian-made products. This movement has been building for some time, really since COVID times, but it has been further fuelled by recent tragic events in Sydney that reminded us all of the importance of community, local identity, and standing behind what is built at home. In moments like these, in my opinion, people don’t just want products. I feel they want connection, trust, and authenticity. Australian manufacturing offers that in a way few other industries can.
For Adina, being Australian-made isn’t a marketing line. It is our foundation and what I grew up with. It’s why one of our top priorities for 2026 is earning the Green Gold Triangle logo and proudly displaying it on every watch we produce. This symbol represents genuine Australian manufacturing integrity, and earning it matters deeply to us. It’s about accountability, transparency, and ensuring that when someone buys an Adina, they are truly supporting Australian skills, jobs, and craftsmanship.
Design-wise, 2026 is shaping up to be an exciting year. As a nation, we are an island, and yet it could be argued that the ocean has historically been underrepresented in Australian watch design. That is something we are looking to change with the release of a new tide watch. One that feels practical, purposeful, and unmistakably Australian. Designed for people who live by the coast, work on the water, or simply feel most at home surfing, fishing and boating on or in it! This watch is about function, but also about lifestyle and identity.
At the same time, I am seeing a clear and confident shift driven by our female consumers. There is a growing thirst for smaller case sizes, vintage-inspired aesthetics, and gold-toned finishes. My take is, this isn’t about trends for trend’s sake. Women are reclaiming design preferences that feel timeless rather than oversized or over-engineered. In response, we are expanding our range of smaller models that balance elegance with strength. Women’s watches that feel refined, wearable, and enduring.
Our Automatic collection remains one of Adina’s great success stories, and that momentum is accelerating as we head into 2026. The very late 2025 introduction of the Amphibian GMT marked an important milestone for us. It brought together robust Australian design with the precision of Swiss-made Sellita SW300 series movements. The response has been overwhelmingly positive, reinforcing that there is strong demand for mechanical watches that blend technical credibility with real-world usability.
Equally exciting has been the launch of the ladies’ diamond-set Amphibian, also powered by the Sellita SW300. This piece represents something we care deeply about, offering women serious mechanical watches without compromise. Not scaled-down afterthoughts, but genuine automatic timepieces with presence, performance, and beauty.
As I look to 2026, I don’t see a year without challenges, but I do see a year full of opportunity. Opportunity to strengthen Australian manufacturing, to support a changing retail landscape, to design watches that reflect who we are as a country, and to continue building a brand that my family, our team, and our customers can be proud of.
If there’s one thing history has taught us, it’s that resilience, adaptability, and authenticity will always outlast uncertainty. That’s a future I’m confident in.
