Prestigious Swiss luxury watchmaker Audemars Piguet has a number of feathers in its cap and is known for producing some of the very complex watches. For instance, it pioneered the smallest minute repeater and a jumping second hand pocket watches. Nicolas Garzouzi, Chief Executive Officer of Audemars Piguet for the Middle East, talks to Arabian Watches & Jewellery Magazine with regard to the Audemars Piguet’s participation in the Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie (SIHH) exhibition being held from January 16 to 20 in Geneva, Switzerland. Garzouzi emphasized that the company is concentrating on improving the quality of its distribution network instead of generating figures. Excerpts from the interview:
What impact will SIHH have on a premium brand such as yours in the Middle East?
More than 75 per cent of yearly orders are generated at SIHH.
What are your expectations at SIHH 2012?
We expect a very strong and positive response at SIHH as we are celebrating the 40th anniversary of our iconic Royal Oak.
What would be trends and directions of Audemars Piguet watches in 2012?
We will concentrate on Royal Oak brand with technical innovations in terms of movement, material and new sizes.
When will the latest Audemars Piguet watches be available in the Middle East boutiques?
Most of the novelties will be available before summer 2012 - same as the rest of Audemars Piguet boutiques around the world.
What are the challenges under the current economic circumstances?
We are therefore concentrating more on improving the quality of our distribution network instead of generating figures.