Interviews

Interview with Mr. Giles English, Founder of Bremont Watch Company

Why did you choose to link Bremont Watches to the world of aviation?

I grew surrounded by aviation; my father was an aeronautical engineer and had a business restoring old aircraft. He taught us to fly before we could drive and it became a big part of our lives. A watch is something that you really do use when your flying and we had always loved classical aviation watches, both simple and clear to read and very British in its understated design. It was obvious route and one we knew when we came to designing our first watches.
 
Are Bremont watches designed made and built at your watch making facility in Henley on Thames, South Oxfordshire?

Yes we have a custom built facility in Henley for watch making and we are now the first British watch company to be producing watches in the UK for over 40 yrs.

What are the brands benefits of being a British made brand?

There are over 750 Swiss watch brands and we are the only watch branding building our watches in England yet we have the most amazing history of watch making. We were the powerhouse of the watch industry any of the great inventions were all developed in the UK (Rolex was founded here). Being British makes us different

Can you please give us an overview of your Basel World 2013 expected releases?

At Basel we have 4 key releases, the B2 a GMT Chronograph that we created with the B2 Stealth Squadron, the U2 Blue a blue dial and case version of the U2, a ALT1-C Rose Gold which is a beautiful classic looking gold watch and our limited edition Codebreaker watch. The Codebreaker is a watch that we have developed with Bletchley Park the place where 9000 of the brightest people cracked the Enigma code in WWII. Do be able to do this they also had to develop the first computer.

How long does it take to design and test each new Bremont watch collection before its revealed?

If it is just a dial colour change then it is a short time but for us it is rarely that, normally for us it is a two year development cycle for a new watch.

What is your favorite Bremont watch and why?

I love them all as I know how much effort that we have put into every watch we have produced. I do however wear quite often an ALT1-P pilot one of the first prototypes that we ever produced.

Bremont has been making men’s watches only, are there any upcoming projects to follow the trend and introduce Bremont women’s watches?

We are prominently a man’s brand but we did release a 37mm Solo watch last year that has been very popular with the ladies it is a lovely classical automatic watch.

Where are Bremont watches available in the Middle East? What is your retail strategy in the Middle East?

We are very positive about the Middle East and are looking to really focus on it. We have launched with the Rivoli Group in the UAE and will shortly be announcing retailers in other Middle Eastern countries.

Are there any plans to open stand alone boutiques in London or Geneva soon?

We launched our own stand alone boutique in London last year which has been a considerable success and we are opening up a boutique in Hong Kong this year. As we are not a Swiss brand Geneva will be low on our lit.

What is our biggest market so far?

Both the UK and the US we are very strong in, the fact that we are making for over 50 military squadrons really helps our growth in the US market.

How many watches do you make a year?

We will make about 5000 watches this year

Is there any project to increase the quantity?

Yes we hope to grow our numbers but watch making is never a quick game it takes time to find the watch makers and grow production.

Market News

Richemont’s Fiscal Year Net Income rises around 30%

Richemont SA, the owner of brands such as Cartier and Van Cleef and Arpels jewelry as well as IWC watches, said fiscal year net income rose around 30 percent with the dollar’s strength against the euro boosting sales growth. That would be the equivalent of around 2 billion Euros ($2.6 billion), ahead of analysts' average forecast a rise of 25 percent, or 1.93 billion Euros, according to Thomson Reuter’s data. Richemont will release its full results for the year ended March 31 on May 16. The company said reported sales would soar around 14 percent for the year, while the increase in operating profit would be about 18 percent. That would mean sales of just over 10 billion Euros ($13 billion), compared with analysts' average forecast of 10.15 billion Euros, and operating profit of about 2.41 billion Euros ($3.14 billion), versus an average forecast of 2.4 billion Euros.

Hermes sales gains 10.3 percent in Q1 2013

French luxury goods group Hermes has recently revealed its first-quarter sales gained 10.3 percent on strong demand from Asia but noted weaker growth in sales of its iconic leather goods. Overall sales came to 856.8 million Euros (1.1 billion) with a jump of 17 percent in Asian countries excluding Japan, where they were 7.0 percent stronger, and a 12.0 percent jump in Europe, Hermes posted a better figure this time around than French rival LVMH, where comparable sales were up by 7.0 percent. Hermes had record results in 2012, with sales of 3.48 billion Euros and a net profit of 740 million. In the first quarter of 2013, the Leather Goods and Saddlery division posted organic growth of 7.0 percent from the same period a year earlier, but that was less than half the comparable rate in the final quarter of 2012.

PPR (Kering) acquires Pomellato

PPR has acquired a majority stake in Pomellato and expects the deal to be finalized in the coming weeks following the approval of competition authorities, the company announced. PPR, slated to change its name to Kering, pronounced “caring,” this summer, will keep Andrea Morante as CEO of Pomellato, which encompasses the jewelry brands Pomellato and Dodo. Morante said becoming a global brand is now a necessity for Pomellato and Dodo.

Kuwait could post $53.4bn budget surplus

According to National Bank of Kuwait (NBK), Kuwait could post a budget surplus of as high as KD15.2bn ($53.4bn) for the fiscal year that ended March 31 based on spending between 10 percent and 20 percent lower than forecast. Oil-rich Kuwait posted a budget surplus of KWD13.2bn in the 2011-2012 on the back of rising oil prices.

Company News

Luxury car maker sees 27% MidEast sales rise

Luxury car maker Jaguar Land Rover MENA made its best ever sales month for the Middle East and North Africa region in March, with sales up 68 percent. The March figures represent a strong end to the 2012 - 2013 fiscal year for Jaguar Land Rover MENA, with total combined sales seeing an uplift of 27 percent, the company said in a statement.

Amina Al Abassi revealed exclusive UAE inspired phone covers at 1915 by Seddiqi

Amina Al Abassi visited 1915 by Seddiqi and revealed her limited edition collaboration with the brand. The decorated phone cover portrays a contemporary interpretation of UAE heritage and launched exclusively at 1915’s Dubai Mall branch.

Bloomingdale's and Theo Fennell launched designer's new jewellery collections

Theo Fennell and Bloomingdale’s-Dubai welcomed Dubai’s social elite to celebrate the designer’s new collections at the Half Moon Terrace at the One & Only Royal Mirage, The Palace. The event gave attendees the chance to experience the latest Theo Fennell pieces from the new ‘Arts, Tropical, Trellis, Phi and Tryst collection including diamond & pink sapphire hummingbird & blossom Trystified Phi pendants in Dubai.

Kuwaiti fencing champions visit Jaeger-LeCoultre

Kuwaiti fencing champions Balsam and Lulwa Al Ayoub friends of Jaeger-LeCoultre, visited the brand’s manufacturing workshops. The two Kuwaiti sisters have managed to conduct their life and projects with determination and passion. They have been supporting the re-invention of the lives of the women in Kuwait and worldwide: women expression and empowerment through sport and development.

Product Launch

Arnold & Son’s revealed - HM Perpetual Moon Watches

Arnold & Son’s has released its new moonphase watches. The 42 mm case is created in red gold or in stainless steel and houses the exclusive Arnold & Son mechanical hand-wound movement, the calibre A&S1512. The 27 jewel calibre with only one day’s deviation every 122 years at which point a single push on the corrector will keep it in sync for another 122 years. The calibre is also equipped with a double barrel to yield 80 hours of power reserve.

Sony introduces SmartWatch well ahead of Apple

The Sony SmartWatch will have a retail price of US$ 140 and it hooks up to your Android phone and uses a square OLED touchscreen to control tunes, indicates the caller and other online features. The cream of the current crop and spoken to the experts for inspiration as to how a truly revolutionary smartwatch would work, and what it would do? Also would it take market share from the existing watch market?

ISTANA presents Repossi’s exciting tribal inspired Berbère collection

ISTANA revealed Repossi’s exciting tribal inspired Berbère collection presenting yellow and white gold multi-piercing earrings, upper arm cuffs and upper phalanx rings lavishly studded with diamonds.

Parmigiani’s new addition to the Pershing collection

Parmigiani revealed its latest addition to the Pershing collection it features the unique components and exudes a mysterious depth of character. Boasting an exceptionally light titanium middle, the Pershing Tourbillon Abyss is adorned with a dynamometric screw-down crown and a rose gold bezel with its deep blue dial.

Exhibitions & Events

BASELWORLD 2013: New Records

The BaselWorld Watch and Jewellery Show 2013 closed its doors last Thursday after eight successful days. This annual world's most important event for the watch and jewellery industry was able to set a new record with 122,000 visitors (+17% / 2012). The exhibitors expressed their great satisfaction with the new quality of BASELWORLD and the course of business. In terms of the media presence too, a new record has doubtless been achieved, with no fewer than 3,610 accredited journalists (+9% / 2012). The 41st BASELWORLD Watch and Jewellery Show attracted over 1460 exhibitors from the watch and jewellery industry, from a total of 40 different countries. While the visitor record achieved, with 122,000 buyers arriving from 100 countries, underlines the fact that another milestone has been reached in the history of BASELWORLD. BaselWorld 2014 will be held between March 27 – April 3, 2014.

GJEPC set to host the first ever Indo-Australia Jewellery Conclave in Sydney

The first Indo-Australia Jewellery Conclave has been conceptualized in picturesque Sydney on 21-22 May, 2013 at Sheraton on the Park. The meet is being organized by The Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC). The 12 participating jewellery manufacturers from India have been carefully selected and shortlisted by GJEPC based on their excellent capabilities to cater to specific needs of the Australian market. Australia India Business Council, NSW President Sheba Nandkeolar said “The conclave presents a tremendous opportunity for many of the attendees who may be looking towards India as a sourcing hub for the first time and will enable them to obtain a first-hand understanding of the advanced technologies being used to produce finished jewellery in India.” .

India International Jewellery Week ended up with glittering trends

The first edition of the India International Jewellery Week Delhi 2013 organized by the Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council came to an end. The event organized by the Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council presented to the international and domestic buyers the immense talent of the Indian designers in the Jewellery industry.

Celebrity News

Ashley Madekwe wore Baccarat to the 24th College Television Awards Gala

Ashley Madekwe wore a Baccarat ring and cuffs to the 34th College Television Awards Gala held at the JW Marriott Los Angeles at L.A., California.

Jaimie Alexander wore Isharya and Carrera y Carrera to 'The Iceman' Premiere

Jaimie Alexander wore a Isharya necklace and Carrera y Carrera ring to the premiere of Millennium Entertainment's 'The Iceman' at ArcLight Hollywood in California.

Salma Hayek wore Bavna and a Demarco to the 'Grown Ups 2' PhotoCall in Cancun, Mexico

Salma Hayek wore Bavna earrings and a Demarco ring to the "Grown Ups 2" Photo Call at the 5th Annual Summer of Sony at the Ritz Carlton Hotel in Cancun, Mexico.

Charlize Theron and Drew Barrymore wore Van Cleef & Arpels at the 24th Annual Glaad Media Awards

Charlize Theron and Drew Barrymore sparkled in Van Cleef & Arpels at the 24th Annual GLAAD Media Awards honoring Président Bill Clinton. Charlize Theron wore 2 estate bracelets in yellow gold and diamonds and a pair of earstuds and Drew Barrymore wore Rose de Noël earrings in white mother-of-pearl.

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