Interviews

TAG Heuer’s LINK to the ultimate luxury - Exclusive interview with Mr. Serge Simon - ModeLabs General Manager

Tell us more about the new TAG Heuer smartphone. What concept it reflects?

When we started with the first TAG Heuer Meridiist in 2008, this category was in its early stage and the focus was on design and material. Luxury mobile phone business is young while other luxury businesses like watches and jewellery enjoy long history. Now we have a good opportunity to enter a new luxury category, thinking that luxury mobile phones are the best iconic accessory. There are 1.4 billion handsets sold every year around the world. We believe that the ultra luxury mobile segment with retail price of over 4,700 euros (AED25, 000) will be quite substantial.

The luxury mobile phone industry has entered the second phase. We started segmentation to bring new technology like smartphones. In order to bring all applications into luxury phone, we decided to create first Swiss luxury touch-screen phone.

Could you please share specifications and secrets of the new TAG Heuer smartphone?

The name is TAG Heuer LINK, operating on Android operating system with 1 GHZ of processor power. It’s a LINK where Swiss watchmaking heritage meets Avant-Garde techniques. TAG Heuer is a very emotional brand with 150 years of heritage in this phone. We used very high quality material and iconic components: the screws and the crown. The screws because we wanted it to be shock-proof, and the crown is the gateway to access all applications offered and recommended by Android operating system. The phone is luxurious and highly reliable.

How practical will it be and does it include exclusive services?

Yes, there are exclusive services. The product includes one Android application called “So Aps.” It is recommendation application to help users choose from thousands of Android applications that suit his/her needs. The TAG Heuer LINK owner has to register through the computer to get application and upgrade system. Another exclusive service is the Customer Safe application that helps customers to hide information like contacts, SMS and calls… If the owner looses the phone, he can trace it even if it was switched-off, and even take a picture. The phone is also supported with an antivirus programme.

TAG Heuer is a well-known watch brand. How will the new smartphone add to its profile?

Definitely it’s a strong diversification for TAG Heuer; the positioning of the entire phone range will push all the TAG Heuer products to a higher target. TAG Heuer LINK phone consumer is different than the TAG Heuer watch, so the phone will bring in new set of customers into brand stores.

A lot of high-end brands are including luxurious mobile phones in their collections. How will TAG Heuer compete in this highly-competitive market?

With TAG Heuer LINK, we can take the lead. We have the brand, the history, the design and the right software. We have a perfect tool.

What about the pricing?

Price range is 4,700 euros (AED25,000) to 18,900 euros  (approximately AED100,000). There are 10 different versions to choose from; they range from stainless to rose gold.

How do you compare TAG Heuer Meridiist to the newborn concept?

TAG Heuer LINK is definitely an extension of the range; we will continue developing and producing TAG Heuer Meridiist.

Will you cut TAG Heuer Meridiist?

No.

When will the new mobile be available in the region and what are your expectations?

TAG Heuer LINK will be in the markets in July. GCC is a strategic region and we have experienced it in the past with the TAG Heuer Meridiist. We are convinced that it will give us a step forward in this category. I would say China, Hong Kong, Russia and the Middle East markets weigh over 60 per cent of the luxury phone business worldwide; while GCC makes up 20 per cent of it.

Where is the mobile world going? Will all-in-one products dominate the market eventually? What about wearability?

The recent figures show that computer, MP3 and camera markets are going down because smartphone business is going up. The technologies will be integrated but the focus will be on the performance and the trend will be to have a big screen. There will be more segmentation to stay up with the customers’ different needs. We are still in the very beginning of the story.

TAG Heuer has always been a masculine brand with some exceptions; will LINK have any feminine version?

We can never say no but our focus now is on masculine versions.

Market News

Cartier presents in Riyadh unique and complicated timepieces.

The House of Cartier’s annual Fine Watch making rendezvous, returns to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s capital Riyadh’s La Vida Havana at Al Dabab Street, notably presenting its most masculine, and complicated Fine Watch making Collection, emerged with Cartier’s faithful clients making this event a unique memorable date. The Fine Watch making Collection especially brought to this event demonstrated is all creations from the Cartier Manufacture, one of the few watch making Manufactures with the capacity to design, produce and service its own watches and movements.

Van Cleef & Arpels - Princely wedding Monaco 2011

Van Cleef & Arpels has the rare privilege of having been chosen by the bride to create a set of jewellery: Ocean by Van Cleef & Arpels exalts the grace and elegance of Her Serene Highness Princess Charlene. This pledge of love, offered by the Prince to his Princess, who chose its name, transforms into a tiara. Since 1956, Van Cleef & Arpels has held the honour of being “Official Supplier to the Principality”. Such a privilege demands the highest standards: that of being at the pinnacle of the art of jewellery creation.

Lebanese Jewellery House designs the wedding necklace for Princess Charlene of Monaco.

The breathtaking piece of miniature architectural artwork Princess Charlene wore around her neck, that sparkly amalgamation of 1,237 diamonds, six giant pearls and 18K rose gold, called the Infinite Cascade, is the work of Lebanese jewellery house Tabbah, who designed the bespoke piece exclusively for Princess Charlene. Nagib Tabbah comments: “the design of the necklace is imbued with fluid structure: ripples that at once wrap, as if to protect, the neck, while simultaneously cascading over the collar bone where the large pearls drop, their individual settings ensuring delicate sparkle and warm glow as they catch the light.”

Salvatore Ferragamo appoints Z7 communications as Middle East PR Consultant

Salvatore Ferragamo S.p.A. has recently announced the appointment of Z7 Communications as PR Consultant for in the Middle East. Salvatore Ferragamo S.p.A. is the parent company of the Salvatore Ferragamo Group, one of the world’s main players in the luxury goods sector, which origins could be traced back to 1927. The Salvatore Ferragamo Group operates in Italy and worldwide, with a broad footprint in Europe, the Americas, Middle East and Asia. Salvatore Ferragamo has several stores in the Middle East covering UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain and Lebanon.

Large Shipment of Zimbabwe Goods Leaves Dubai with KP's Approval

The UAE Kimberley Process office confirmed last week that it has approved the release and export of 14 packets of diamonds from the Marange region in Zimbabwe. The diamonds were exported to India.

The goods, valued at about $160 million, have been held in Dubai since November 2010 at the order of the KP Working Group on Monitoring (WGM). 

Eberhard & Co. - Chrono 4 Geant: Watch of the Year 2011

The prize-giving ceremony of the Watch of the Year 2011, an event organized by the Dutch magazine 00/24, as held in Amsterdam on June 16^th has awarded Chrono 4 Geant, the top model of Eberhard & Co. The Readers Award, given by the public to the most significant model of 2010.

Jacob & Co. Appoints New Chief Operating Officer to Lead Its Global Watch Brand

Known for his distinguished tenure of over 20 years as Executive Vice President at Tourneau, LLC, Mr. Andrew Block now brings his over three decades of experience in the watch and luxury industries to Jacob & Co. Renowned as a marketing expert and brand builder, Mr. Block has had a distinguished career in launching and nurturing dynamic and successful brands.

Montegrappa - A Workshop in Sannio

On Monday 16^th May at the faculty of economics and business, University of Sannio, Benevento, the first meeting of a cycle of seminars took place, entitled «Gli studenti per gli imprenditori: un laboratorio nel Sannio» (students for entrepreneurs: a workshop in Sannio) dedicated to entrepreneurs from the Campania region operating in the fashion and jewellery industry. The protagonists were students from the Business History course who already hold Business Economics degrees, are enrolled in the 2-year specialisation course in Economics and Management, and are researching the «oldest» businesses in the country.
The young graduates, along with some of the faculty professors, studied, for the jewellery sector, the corporate business of Elmo & Montegrappa (Antonia Annaloro, Carmine Beatrice, Francesca Cornacchia, Monica Parnoffi, Michele Rocco and Valentina Triggianese, with Alessandro De Nisco, professor of Marketing), as well as some companies that work on coral and cameos. For the fashion industry, Kiton and Marinella from Naples were studied.

RITMO and UFC 132 Take on Las Vegas........AND WIN

RITMO Ambassador Tito Ortiz, the Bad Boy from Huntington Beach, CA, won his UFC 132 fight defeating Ryan Bader via submission at 1:56 of the first round. RITMO is a proud sponsor of Tito and excited for his future in the octagon. Jabob Christopher “Tito” Ortiz is a Mexican American mixed martial artist and former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Tito can be proudly seen sporting his RITMO watches, which includes the Automatic  PUZZLE  and INDYCAR collection.

Company News

DKSH takes a majority stake in Swiss watchmaker, Maurice Lacroix

DKSH, the leading Market Expansion Services provider with a focus on Asia, takes a majority stake in Swiss watchmaker, Maurice Lacroix, and sets up a joint venture for Asia expansion with Zino Davidoff. DKSH continues its focused strategic growth course for its Luxury & Lifestyle business. Following their acquisition in February 2010 of Hagemeyer-Cosa Liebermann, a Swiss company with a long tradition in the marketing and sales of Luxury & Lifestyle products, DKSH has now further strengthened its luxury goods activities through two significant investments. On the one hand, DKSH has taken a majority shareholding in Maurice Lacroix. Located in Saignelegier and Zurich, the renowned watchmaker has 200 employees and generates sales of CHF 70 million. DKSH has already held exclusive marketing and distribution rights to Maurice Lacroix products in Asia since 2008. Secondly, DKSH has established a joint venture with Zino Davidoff AG for the sales and marketing of luxury timepieces, leather goods, and accessories throughout Asia.

A day of glamour at Ascot with Aaron Kwok by Longines

Jaeger-LeCoultre hosted a prestigious event as Reverso celebrates its 80th anniversary

At the occasion of the anniversary of its iconic Reverso, Jaeger-LeCoultre hosted a prestigious event at Ecole Nationale des Beaux-Arts in Paris under the theme: Capturing your magic moment. Jerome Lambert, CEO of Jaeger-LeCoultre welcomed 800 guests. Among the guests, actress Catherine Deneuve, Diane Kruger accompanied by Joshua Jackson, actor Clive Owen, Adrien Brody, Isabelle Huppert, Mohammed Al Habtoor, and many other distinguished guests and friends of Jaeger-LeCoultre. The musical program of the evening presented the Nouvelle Vague artists: Mareva Galanter, Julien Doré and Helena Noguerra.

Richard Mille meets HRH Prince Harry at the British Polo Day Charity Cup

On Saturday 2nd July, a quintessentially British day of polo took place on the grounds of Lord and Lady Lloyd Webber’s Berkshire Estate, Watership Down, to host The British Polo Day Charity Cup where Richard Mille was one of the title sponsors. Leading the Richard Mille Polo Team was 2010’s World Polo Tour n.1 Pablo MacDonough who played against His Royal Highness Prince Harry of Wales to raise funds for Sentebale and Tusk Trust, Prince Harry and The Duke of Cambridge’s respective charities. On the day Richard Mille also announced that a one-off RM 033 automatic calibre will be donated to support the charitable work of Tusk and Sentebale and the proceeds shared in equal parts between the two charities.

Saskia maaike Bouvier - Complicated watches created by a woman for women

Ulysse Nardin’s – The limited-edition Caprice Panda

Inspired by the wonder the panda imparts – a fascination akin to a woman’s spell – is the new Ulysse Nardin Ladies Caprice Panda in 18-karat white gold. Depicted by a plethora of black and white diamonds on a brilliant white background, the story of the timepiece sparkles with sweetness and depth as a mother panda and her cub feast on their favored treat, bamboo. A true jewel, the dial’s cheerfulness and original beauty is enhanced by vibrant, pinkish-colored rubies marking each hour; as a mother protects her child, the rubies appear to safeguard the bears. The limited-edition Caprice Panda marks one of Ulysse Nardin’s most memorable collections.

BOVET unveils a symbolic timepiece rich in symbols

BOVET has historically shown particular support for charities related to causes aiding suffering children. In keep with this precept, BOVET will be participating in the third Only Watch auction for Duchenne Muscular Distrophy Research. For September 2011, BOVET will bestow a timepiece created specifically for this occasion. It will reveal its uniqueness by a traditional artisan engraving decoration in line with the identity of BOVET and the message

of hope that Pascal Raffy wishes to transmit. For this occasion, he chose to ornate the 7-day Tourbillon BOVET with Reverse Hand-Fitting. Like the entire Fleurier collection, this timepiece is housed in an Amadeo case. This concept, unveiled in 2009 at the Only Watch auction, allows the wearer, without requiring the use of any tools, to convert their wristwatch into a table clock or pocket watch as well as a reversible display uniquely adapted to Bovet tourbillons.

Product Launch

Blancpain unveils a one-of-a-kind Villeret Grande Decoration

For the fourth Only Watch charity auction, Blancpain unveils a one-of-a-kind Villeret Grande Decoration. The exceptional Villeret Grande Decoration Only Watch 2011 was conceived and developed specifically for this cause. From August 30 to September 17, the Only Watch 2011 collection will be showcased in a world tour that will visit most of the world’s luxury watch collecting capitals: Singapore, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Beijing, Tokyo, Los Angeles, New York, Milan and Geneva. The tour will close in Monaco with a two day exhibition (Sep. 21/22) at the Monaco Yacht Show.

The Arnold & Son HMS1, A strong return to tradition and classicism

The latest Arnold & Son timepiece is not only a tribute to John Arnold’s originality and skill but also to the town of La Chaux-de-Fonds itself, cradle of Swiss watchmaking and seat of the Company. The newest addition to the HMS1 collection is the timepiece featuring an anthracite dial in a classical elegant steel case. The case is 40mm in diameter and houses a manufacture handwound movement which is only 2.7 mm thick. Immediately once notices two barrels providing 80 hours power reserve. Available in a 40 mm rose gold or stainless steel case, the Arnold & Son HMS1 is water resistant to 30 meters.

EBEL Classic Sport Chronograph

The EBEL Classic Sport collection introduces a new Chronograph model outfitted with an appealing range of colored straps – khaki, beige, brown, coral pink and navy blue. These attractive shades create a natural palette that lends a fresh and original touch to this classic collection. EBEL artfully combines technique, comfort and style in these appealing new models: EBEL dares to explore new horizons in a spirit of good taste and distinction.

HYSEK unveils its dynamic new IO Jumping Hour watch collection

HYSEK presents its dynamic new IO Jumping Hour watch collection, launched at the recent exhibition Baselworld 2011. It has a powerful 14mm thick, 47mm wide steel case with gently curved sides on the lugs, a double polished bezel, water resistance of 50 meters and a sapphire center with an AM/PM indicator. Marianne Al Jord, Executive Director, HYSEK said, “Since its origin, HYSEK has continued to assert its unique avant-garde vision, by daring to push the frontiers of innovation and style to stand as one of the most acclaimed designer brands enriching the traditional sector of the Swiss watch industry.

Exhibitions & Events

India International Jewellery Show (IIJS) 4th August-8th August, 2011

GJEPC’s flagship jewellery trade event ‘India International Jewellery Show 2011’ is scheduled from August 4-8, 2011 where the industry converges in larger numbers (upwards of 30,000 trade visitors). Country pavilions, networking events, informative education seminars and fantastic show features will be an attraction once again, attracting thousands of industry professionals and retailers. This platform will provide an unparalleled opportunity to discover the various facets of today’s India – especially the surge in its business and economic growth.

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