Interviews

Interview with Mr. Mario Peserico – General Manager of Eberhard & Co.

1) In your opinion, which model among this year's Eberhard & Co Basel World new releases?
Do you find the most interesting?

The Company worked on the development of some of its “pillar lines” and in particular the Chrono 4 and the Tazio Nuvolari Vanderbilt. Among them a very nice appreciation has been given to the Chrono 4 Géant Full Injection with external and internal DLC treatment and to the Vanderbilt Cup “Naked”, “simplified” from the previous version and now with a black dial and without the double case but still very impactful and elegant

2) When will be the novelties received in Middle East markets?

Most of the novelties will be ready by the end of June but unless differently agreed we normally “freeze” them until September

3) What is Eberhard & Co biggest market?

Italy is the biggest market and even if the current economic situation makes business more difficult than before it is still very interesting and the distribution is capillary.

4) What is the biggest Middle East market for Eberhard & Co? What is the most selling product?

The most important market is without doubts the Emirates and Dubai in particular, where we work with our local partner, Damas, and we have points of sale at the Dubai Mall, Mall of the Emirates and since this month also at the prestigious Burj al Arab. The Chrono 4 is the leading collection but by definition Dubai has an international clientele and also the other main collections are appreciated, the Extra-fort, Tazio Nuvolari and 8 Days without forgetting the ladies watch Gilda

5) What are the potentials the Middle Eastern market holds for Eberhard & Co watches with the uprising competition?

Strategically Eberhard & Co entered the Middle East market only a year ago and thanks to its reputation and international notoriety could immediately benefit of great local partnership with some of the best Companies. Nevertheless the job is not completely done yet and in the next two years has to be completed by giving rotation to the collection and by implementing the remaining markets

6) What are your expansion plans for the region?

As anticipated we work on a 2/3 years project that will strengthen the relations with existing and future partners. Eberhard is one of the few remaining historical independent Brand, with a strong connotation of its products and a resolute commitment to keep on producing watches in a correct range of price with unique technical developments, ideal for the local watch connoisseurs.

7) Does your strategy include opening stand alone boutiques?

We are already working on some projects that we cannot disclose anything until they are completed. Nevertheless we still consider local retailers and multi-brand boutiques as the most important driver for a Brand, supported as they are by the know-how of the local partners companies

8) What trends do you foresee for Swiss watchmaking in the coming years?

The Swiss watchmaking has a large potential of growth; watches are one of the main accessories to declare our status and the Middle East markets are, in our opinion, among those with the highest potential.

9) Talking also about this year trends, it seems medium and small size watch cases are back, how much is Eberhard & Co is going into this especially that it fulfills the need if the Chinese market?

Eberhard has never forgotten the medium and small sizes, not because of the Chinese market but because we simply thought that nothing lasts forever and smaller sizes would have come back. Definitely the average dimensions grew in the last 10 years and we will not go back to 35/37 mm., but when you want to wear something elegant you most probably will have to refer to a medium sized watch and not to a big 45 mm. It is not to be forgotten that the classical watches are much nicer when they are not too big.

10) What is the percentage of the women watches Eberhard & Co produce compared to the masculine watches introduced?

Eberhard decided to produce a feminine line when we thought it was the right moment and because the heritage of the Company, already producing jewel watches in 1910, needed a presence in this segment. Obviously men’s watches remain the main part (90% I would say) of our sales, but Gilda is giving us many satisfactions.

11) Eberhard & Co sponsored sports events around the world; do you have any plans to do the same in the Middle East?

Yes, for sure. Events are important and to contact with the local end-consumers is one of the main necessity of any Brand.

12) Where do you see Eberhard & Co in the coming five years? Where do you see it in terms of offering more complicated watches?

In 5 years we wish to see the Brand’s local distribution finally completed, with a selected number of qualitative points of sale around the Region and customers considering Eberhard as a real alternative. Our vision is focused on remaining coherent with our DNA, which is at the base of the success the Brand has enjoyed so far. After over 125 years of uninterrupted history we know who we are, a Brand that can offer a top quality watch with serious technical content in the correct price range. Of course we have on-going projects that will involve also mechanical innovations, and we will develop them with the objective to keep offering value-for-money to our Clients, no matter what segment of our production they will chose.

Market Report

Patek Phillippe opened its new Boutique in Jordan

Patek Phillippe has opened new Boutique in Amman, Jordan under Time Center’s umbrella. The boutique’s opening ceremony was complimented by the soft summer breeze & the enchanting soft music. Patek Phillippe’s poised boutique reflects the brand’s simplicity, elegance & tradition with its beautifully detailed designs and its accommodation of the latest & most-sought-after collections of watches that would mesmerize watch lovers of different tastes.

Market News

UAE is ranked 5th place in Global Retail Index

Retail market in GCC to reach USD 221 billion by 2015

Kuwait Financial Centre “Markaz” recently published their GCC Retail report. In this research note, Markaz analyses the retail sector dynamics, identifies the current and potential market size for various sub-segments. Markaz estimates the retail market in GCC to reach USD 221 billion by 2015 registering an annualized growth of 7.9% for the period 2012-2015. Food, beverages and tobacco accounted for almost half of the market in 2012 and we expect the trend to continue. Retail Industry is one of the fastest growing sectors in the GCC region. Though the overall economic growth in the GCC region suffered a setback at the onset of the global financial crisis, the retail sector posted robust growth and continued its upward trajectory. The growing importance of retail in GCC can be gauged from the fact that the city of Dubai, along with London, shares the leading position for international retailers’ presence.

Gold prices hits at two and a half year low

Gold prices tumbled to their lowest in more than two and-a-half years last week and silver fell more than 6 per cent after the US Federal Reserve gave its most explicit signal yet that it plans to bring the era of easy money to an end. Gold plunged after Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke said the US economy was expanding strongly enough for the central bank to begin slowing the pace of its bond-buying stimulus later this year. Its fall picked up momentum after it broke through its April low at $1,321 an ounce, a key support level, knocking it to a low of $1,285.90, down 4.5 per cent and it’s weakest since September 2010.

Dubai Duty Free targets USD1.8b by the end of 2013

Dubai Duty Free's executive vice chairman, Colm McLoughlin, stated that the retail operator sold USD734 million in the first five months of this year, and had a sales target of USD1.8 billion by the end of 2013. Dubai International Airport plans on boosting its capacity to 95 million passengers in the coming few years, which will have a positive impact on Dubai Duty Free's sales. Which he expected to reach USD3 billion per year after the capacity boost, according to Colm McLoughlin.

Company News

Audemars Piguet celebrated their partnership with Art Basel

Audemars Piguet hosted a prestigious first night party, after a successful event at the inaugural Art Basel in Hong Kong, the opening night party in Basel marked Audemars Piguet’s first year as a new partner with Art Basel. Taking place in a specially transformed space at the Volkshaus in Basel, the party was illuminated with projections of work by acclaimed British photographer Dan Holdsworth.

Montres Corum and Eterna announced the new CEO Antonio Calce

The China Haidian group announced the current CEO of Montre Corum also the CEO of Eterna is Mr. Antonio Calce. Mr. Hon Kwok Lung, Chairman of the Executive Committee of China Haidian, said: "It is my great pleasure to have Mr Antonio Calce accepting this challenge. Since 2007, he has repositioned Corum to its due place in Haute Horlogerie and I am confident of his ability to rebuild Eterna. I will enjoy working with Antonio Calce, whom I trust to ensure effective management of both companies. " Antonio Calce, CEO of Corum, said: "I am very pleased to have a strong relationship with Mr Hon based on confidence and trust. I am attached to Eterna’s incredible history and with its industrial asset, I strongly believe in its potential.

Breguet opened its new boutique in China

Breguet opened its new 598 m2 store in China. Located in the Xintiandi area in Shanghai, this architectural gem comprises three levels discreetly hidden behind a radically novel full freestanding glass façade. A grand opening celebration with a ribbon cutting ceremony was done by Mr. Marc A. Hayek President & CEO of Breguet, Blancpain and Jaquet Droz made a special trip to China for the occasion to inaugurate this splendid store.

Hermès International appoints new Co-Chief Executive Officer

The Management Board of the family company Emile Hermès SARL, active partner of Hermès International, have unanimously appointed Axel Dumas as Co-Chief Executive Officer of Hermès International. Since his arrival at Hermès in 2003 he has held a number of key positions, including Managing Director of jewellery and then of leather goods. In 2011 he was appointed Chief Operating Officer of the group.

Bremont announced as the national winner of Global Connections 2013 – an HSBC

Bremont Watch Company has been announced as overall national winner of Global Connections 2013– an HSBC initiative to find the UK’s most innovative and forward thinking companies. The brand was announced as joint winner of prestigious award along with London based Brompton Bicycles at the awards ceremony which took place in Loch Lomond, Scotland.

Saint Honore announces Saba Mubarak as new brand ambassador

Saint Honore have added a touch of Arabian glamour to their brand with the signing of Saba Mubarak, Jordanian superstar of TV and film, as their Brand Ambassador. The Jordanian beauty was born in 1971 and graduated from Yarmouk University in Irbid. She has created waves with her performances in TV serials: ‘Seraa A’ala El Remal and Eljteyah. Mubarak was recently awarded the ‘Best Arab Actress’ title at a film festival in Jordan.

Product Launch

PPR officially has a new name: Kering

The PPR is now Kering is approved at the company’s annual general meeting this week. The change became effective immediately. Kering operates the Gucci, Bottega Veneta, Saint Laurent, Alexander McQueen, McQ, Balenciaga, Brioni, Christopher Kane, Stella McCartney, Sergio Rossi, Boucheron, Girard-Perregaux, JeanRichard, Qeelin, Puma, Volcom, Cobra, Electric and Tretorn brands. The company announced it had acquired a majority stake in Italian brand Pomellato, which includes both Pomellato and Dodo jewelry. Fiscal revenue for the most recent reporting year totaled $13 billion. Kering's new ticker on Euronext Paris is KER.PA.

Breitling introduced their new watch The Avenger

The models in the Avenger line have been redesigned in a style that is even more technical, functional and sophisticated. The slimmer case adopts an even more ergonomic profile. The new stencil-type numerals with their taut, dynamic lines, further strengthen the ties with aviation. The new engraved and satin-brushed bezel is adorned with integrated rider tabs. The readability is optimized by large hands and hour-markers accentuated by a luminescent coating. Titanium casebacks bearing a conversion scale for Anglo-Saxon metric measurements keeps the case lighter. The Avenger models are available in several dial colors, with stencil-type numerals or hour-markers, on a rubber strap.

Romain Jerome revealed their new timepiece Moon Orbiter

Romain Jerome presents an exceptional model equipped with a Manufac¬ture movement: a flying tourbillon featuring a unique three-dimensional architecture. The Moon Orbiter imposes rectangular shape and its numerous special-shaped sapphire crystals create a striking effect: its bezel-free case combining watchmaking steel with elements from Apollo 11 is composed of an exclusive system of lugs mounted on pneumatic cylinders of the black alligator leather strap with pin buckle-fastening. The hours and minutes are read off on an off-centred 3 o’clock counter on the right-hand side of the dial. The five shaped sapphire crystals fitted all around the case provide a complete view of the unique architecture and geometry of this exclusive mechanical self-winding movement

A. Lange & Söhne revealed the new 1815 Rattrapante Perpetual Calendar Watch

The moon has always been fascinating and of great importance for people all over the world, especially so in the Middle East with reference to the Holy month of Ramadan and Eid Al Fitr. With a movement comprising 631 individual parts, the 1815 Rattrapante Perpetual Calendar has Arabic numerals, a railway-track minute scale, gold and blued hands as well as four round subsidiary dials in a clover-leaf configuration characterise the design of the 1815 Rattrapante Perpetual Calendar. It is the classic design mantra of the 1815 watch family that has its roots in A. Lange & Söhne’s grand pocket watch tradition. The prominent case in platinum or pink gold with a diameter of 41.9 millimetres rounds out the impressive personality of this masterpiece.

Schoeffel presented their latest design in the Moon Loop Collection

Schoeffel’s latest design in the Moon Loop range adds a touch of puristic class to summery white: long, filigree white gold necklaces with diamond-studded loops to be worn as casual 24-hour jewellery for business or pleasure. For irresistibly pure coolness. Cool couture is revealed in the newly interpreted Début range a statement retro bow ring consisting of turquoise chalcedony, brilliant-cut diamonds and blackened white gold. The Creative Collection interprets international street style as an urban catwalk.

Boucheron revealed its Serpent Boheme collection for this Eid

The collection Serpent Bohême is a signature of the Boucheron spirit. The new pieces in the collection brought back elements of the designs celebrated by the maison’s patrons over the decade with a contemporary feel. It is a tribute to Gabrielle Boucheron, a woman of character and spirit. It reworks and stylizes the iconic serpent motif so dear to the Maison and symbol of eternal happiness for every Boucheron woman. It celebrates the bohemian lifestyle, showcasing jewels that voyage across time and borders. It captures light and sublimates the precious materials like all Boucheron creations. The serpent is also a symbol of protection.

Eberhard & Co. launched their new Gilda timepiece

Eberhard & Co. launched a new version of their famed Gilda range of timepieces. The new watch, with its curvy face, has supple lines decorating the mother of pearl face, and Arabic numerals at the 3, 6, 9 and 12 hour marks surrounded by a delicate floral motif, in perfect harmony with the elliptical steel case. Gilda has a quartz movement, protected by sapphire glass with a patented spherical dome and antireflective treatment, and the polished back is secured with 4 concealed screws and features an engraved floral motif. Fastened with an alligator strap with a buckle engraved with a letter E.

Exhibitions & Events

Patek Philippe Chronographs presented in Antiquorum June Auction

Antiquorum presented a number of classic, important and highly collectible Patek Philippe chronograph wristwatches in Hong Kong. Among the many complications that Patek Philippe offers, the chronograph has long been considered the most significant. Patek Philippe launched a series of chronograph wristwatches, including the 3970, 5970 collections chronographs with a perpetual calendar, and the 5004 chronographs with split seconds and perpetual calendar.

Celebrity News

Princess Victoria wore a Boucheron diamond tiara at her sister wedding

HRH Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden wore a Boucheron diamond tiara for the first time at her sister HRH Princess Madeleine's wedding to Christopher O’Neill.

Jennifer Lopez Shines in Harry Winston at the 4th Annual amfAR Inspiration Gala in New York

Jennifer Lopez wore Harry Winston Diamonds (Sunflower by Harry Winston Diamond Earstuds; 3 Diamond Rings - Diamond Carpet Ring, Flexible Diamond Ring and Emerald-Cut Diamond Rock Band) jewels to the 4th Annual amfAR Inspiration Gala in New York City.

Shakira shines in Swarovski Talina necklace on Episode 418A of The Voice

Shakira wore the Swarovski Talina necklace on Episode 418A of The Voice

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