Movado (NYSE: MOV) is a watchmaker. It distributes timepieces based on various brands such as Lacoste and Coach (NYSE: COH). And its stock is on the rise today. During early afternoon trading, Movado is up by over 8% on very good volume. As can be expected, an earnings report is behind the excitement.

Now, to be certain, the stats weren't great. Movado is still reeling from the harsh economic times. Sales declined 33% in Q1, and there was a loss per share of $0.37. That compared very unfavorably to a profit of $0.05 per share in the year-ago period. Also, the gross margin slipped significantly.

Movado Group (NYSE: MOV), maker of watches, reported numbers for the fourth quarter. Really bad numbers. Net sales dropped over 32%. For the bottom line, there was a net loss of $0.42 per share on an adjusted basis. In last year's Q4, Movado generated adjusted income of $0.40 per share. That is one hell of a drop. Furthermore, the market wasn't even close to anticipating this ugly performance. According to this source, analysts thought that the company would only bleed about $0.02 per share.

You know, I haven't worn a watch in a long time. Maybe a lot of people are thinking like me, that they don't really need watches since we have so much access to clocks via cell phones and other devices (I don't own a cell phone, but I'm content to simply seek out a clock if I'm out and about). Of course, I'm being a little facetious here. Movado is merely suffering through a bad economy. And it's perhaps in need of some better management. The company sells timepieces based on licensed brands such as Coach (NYSE: COH) and Tommy Hilfiger. Consumers are apparently satisfied with purchasing cheap, non-branded watches. Can't blame them.

You can say a lot about the Swiss (sorry Mom!), but at least they are always on time. There is a great article over on the BBC that details Switzerland's obsession with time. Everywhere you turn in Switzerland, there's a watch, a clock, or a timer of sorts. I love visiting my Mom who's a recent transplant to Zurich. The trains, the shows, food service -- everything is exactly on time.

It's going to be interesting when hordes of tourists from across Europe and hinder pour into Switzerland June 7 for the start of the European football (that's soccer to you and me) championships. Extra trams and trains are already being rolled out to make sure fans make it everywhere they need to go -- on time.

So, how does one think about "playing" the Euro 2008?

Fossil, Inc. (Nasdaq: FOSL) is a fashion apparel company investors rarely hear about as it markets watches, jewelry and clothing accessories under proprietary and licensed brands. None the less, Fossil is posting some numbers of interest to investors. According to the recent 3Q 2007 earnings report, net sales are up 20% to $358.6 million, gross profit is up 26% to $187 million, operating income is up 47% to $48.5 million, net income is up 41% to $40.5 million, and diluted earnings per share (EPS) is up 39% to $0.43. These are whopping increases on fair-sized numbers.

Also in Fossil's favor is the fact that 50% of its sales come from outside the U.S., so the company is taking advantage of currency exchanges. The company is looking at a good holiday selling season, particularly in Europe, where net sales increased 28%. International wholesale orders are up 32%.

Fossil management is not depending just on these good numbers. The company is still focused on cutting expenses and better inventory control. Cost of inventory decreased slightly in 3Q 2007, despite 34 additional new stores. Interest expenses decreased $825,000, and the company is shifting its product lines to higher profit margin items. Fossil just inked a licensing deal with Burberry, good through 2012. At $41.36, up 4% on the earnings news, this under the radar stock may be worth a look.

Have you ever shopped online for something intimate like lace panties, or something expensive like diamond bracelets or even an exotic sports car? There are some things that must be seen in person to seal the deal, and one would think that the jewelry category would fit that description. That may be the case for higher-priced jewelry items like $30,000 rings, but don't tell that to Amazon.com

The world's largest online-only retailer reported that watch and jewelry sales for the third quarter of 2006 jumped over 100% from the prior-year period, an incredible increase if you ask me. Watch sales increased 122% in the third quarter from the prior year and gemstones and engagement rings posted a growth of 108% for the third quarter over the same period last year.

"We're very excited about the growth in our Jewelry & Watches store. Not only are our customers choosing to purchase shoes, electronics and beauty items from Amazon.com, but they are also choosing to make, at times, very personal purchasing decisions with us and we take that very seriously," said Steven Goldsmith, Vice President of the Amazon.com Jewelry & Watches store.