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1. How do you describe Carl F. Bucherer performance and results in 2011? What are the indications for this year?
Carl F. Bucherer is very proud to announce we have had the best year since the inception of the company. But for me as the CEO, even more important we accomplished the best bottom line result ever. This is a direct result of much implementation, growth and strategy which was executed in the past 2 years and the hard work of a dedicated and strong team. Henceforth, we are continuing at full speed and already look forward to the year 2013. The indications for this year are absolutely promising.
2. Carl F. Bucherer women’s watches make up 30 percent of your sales as compared to 70 percent by men’s watches, are there any plans to balance both sales?
All I can say at this point is that 2013 will be a major milestone in the history of ladies watches for Carl F. Bucherer. The first own produced Bucherer watch was a women’s classic art deco piece designed and crafted by Mr. Bucherer in 1919. But it’s no secret that in the last 10 years the company has vastly invested into its manufacturing facilities with focus on technology and development of our very own caliber – like the Manufacture caliber CFB A1000 and its functional modules CFB A1001 to CFB A1004! Production of ambitious mechanical watches such as the ManeroChronoPerpetual with correction-free indication of the date, day of the week, month and moon phase, which remains a technical challenge that can be met by only a handful of watchmakers. The mechanism recognizes the different lengths of the months and knows when the next leap year is approaching. Also our PatraviTravelTecFourX. This dynamic timepiece features a combination of 4 exclusive materials: palladium, ceramic, rubber and titanium. The intricate skeletonized dial features three time zones and has chronograph, hour, minute and small seconds hands as well as a date display. The unique integration of movement and case calls for watchmaking skills at the highest possible level. With these accomplishments, the outstanding team of watch makers at Carl F. Bucherer and current infrastructure we have set a goal in the last years to develop something of superb quality, technical engineering and unique design to introduce for ladies after this year. I’d like to let this be a surprise!
3. How would you explain the demure positioning of the new Manero and Adamavi models introduced in 2012?
The classical look has been an industry trend in the last few years. The consumer demand is one primary cause of the product offering in any given year. Certainly, this had also to do with financial global conditions which affect purchasing power, a behavior perception demanding increased value for the money and even the request for traditional designs which show to be timeless.
4. You have always stressed about the importance of binding to the brand’s DNA, why is that? And what is Carl F. Bucherer DNA?
The DNA of Carl F. Bucherer = True heritage, tradition and innovation since 1888, until today, in the history of Swiss watch manufacturing.
The history of Bucherer dates back to 1888, when Carl Friedrich Bucherer opened his first watch retail business in Lucerne, Switzerland. The company has remained in the family to this day and is now owned by the third-generation sole shareholder, Jorg G. Bucherer, the founder’s grandson. In 1919, the company embarked on the production of top-quality timepieces under the Bucherer brand name, upholding all that is best in the Swiss watchmaking tradition. Repositioned under the name Carl F. Bucherer in 2001, the independent brand has blazed its own trail by manufacturing fine watches featuring highly sophisticated complications.
5. Which of your models are the most popular in the Middle East?
Classical watches, especially the models of the Manero line which demonstrates very impressively the craftsmanship involved in watchmaking. The name of the family likewise derives from the Latin word manuaria, which means literally "that which is guided by hand”. All the Manero models represent the traditional and consummate craftsmanship for which the Lucerne-based watch brand is renowned. Another top seller in the Middle East is the unique Patravi TravelTec. An amazing and powerful chronograph showing three time zones, date indication and it is equipped with our automatic movement CFB 1901.1.
6. Do you have any expansion plans for the Carl F. Bucherer boutiques?
Yes, our retail roll-out with self standing stores in major cities include the prestigious 888 building in Ginza,Tokyo which we opened in by the end of last year, is important to us. However, most significantly is to work with the best and right partner of the region. As we do today in the Middle East! This entire region is crucial for the further development of Carl F. Bucherer.
7. Carl F. Bucherer watches are available in UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, what about Saudi Arabia, Lebanon Jordan, and Syria?
As already mentioned, we are of course ready to expand into these countries. It will be most pleasing and prosperous. We are achieving greatest results in the countries where we distribute, so I don’t see a reason why not to expand further.
8. Carl F. Bucherer is still a family owned independent company, how do you feel about that and what are the challenges it sets before you?
Our group is a fully integrated business structure, from the bottom up, which is the biggest asset any brand can have. It’s this unique structure as an independent in the watch industry today that sets the brand apart and will ultimately be able to stand up to industry challenges. On top it is my very own personal pleasure and honor to be able to work with Mr. Jorg G. Bucherer.