LVMH Watch Week

After a decade of the formerly  S.I.H.H now re branded as Watches & Wonders  hosted in Geneva held ahead of the Baselworld LVMH hosts its own first ever watch fair in Dubai.

In the words of Jean-Christophe Babin,Bulgari Chief Executive “To unveil novelties before the watch world, before any other brand and any other group”

The official press conference of the LVMH Watch Week was held at The Bvlgari Hotels & Residences Dubai.

Dubai a choice not only because it contributes a good 10% of the sale for Hublot but is also a fun city.

New innovations  in watches will be revealed over the next three days across the four Brands Bulgari, Hublot, Tag Heuer & Zenith.

Ricardo Guadalupe, Hublot Chief Executive

Jean-Christophe Babin Bulgari Chief Executive

Stéphane Bianchi Head of the LVMH Watch Division and TAG Heuer Chief Executive

Julien Tornare Zenith Chief Executive

 

 

Above are glimpses of some of the launches at the LVMH Watch Week

Bulgari Serpenti Seduttori Tourbillon

Hublot Big Band Integral

Zenith DEFY Midnight

TAG Heuer marking its 160 Anniversary will present one piece in Dubai but will largely showcase other launches at Baselworld

 

 

Time to change?

The Swiss watch industry which has had a rough time since last couple of years with the younger generation opting out on buying other luxury goods other than a luxury watch has to probably do without its annual Basel World Watch Fair the coming year.

The downward trend in the industry began in 2015 and every year there are fewer people visiting Baselworld,  Mecca for watch business and admirers alike.

With the launch of Apple’s Smartwatch and other phone companies following suit, the luxury watch industry has been lagging in customer interest.

Watchmakers have started to try strategies.like limiting their production and marketing their timepieces as the works of craftsmen, hiring young celebrities as brand ambassadors, developing smartwatches to combat the waning market  in bid to revive the interest

The possibility of Baselworld being held in 2019 now looks like a slim chance with  Swatch Group, the fair’s biggest client, with 17 brands deciding not to participate.

Baselworld 2018 was already much smaller than previous years

Following the news of the Swatch groups pullout from the fair comes the resignation of René Kamm CEO for nearly 20 years at the company MCH Group, operator of the Baselworld watch fair.

“The time has come for a change” say René Kamm.

“We don’t need a trade fair. We might do something more creative with other partners that are out there” says Nick Hayek, Swatch Group CEO who is looking for more dynamic ways to connect with partners.

With the upheaval that the Swiss watch industry is facing this comes and a shock to the entire world.

We are hoping though to see the revival in probably a new avatar in another space.

Panerai’s Mumbai Boutique

Palladium is one of the most happening places in South Mumbai where the affluent shop for everything from food, clothes, makeup, fashion accessories to watches.

It houses luxury brands like Burberry, Gucci, Paul Smith, Jimmy Choo, Tumi, Bottega Veneta, Hugo Boss, Emporio Armani, Chanel, Paul & Shark, ERMENEGILDO ZEGNA, ETRO, TAG HEUER, ZARA Canali to name a few

So it is but a logical place to burst upon with a boutique for a luxury watch.

Officine Panerai plans to open its third boutique in India in Palladium where it hopes to catch the crowd that is looking for global brands in their own city.

Currently Panerai is present in Delhi, Chennai and Hyderabad through multi-store partners and has a Boutique in The Chanakya in New Delhi and The Taj Mahal & Palace Hotel in Mumbai.

According to Milvin George, Managing Director, Panerai Middle East and India the luxury market in India is on a growth path and as more international brands are entering the country Panerai does not want to lose its share of business.

By having another boutique they get to showcase a colossal variety of the watches they look to sell in the Indian Market.

For all the watch enthusiasts this will be definitely a place to look forward to.

Wishing Panerai all the success in the country.

 

Unique Tonique

So what makes Tonique unique?

Firstly, it’s the largest liquor store in India, sprawled over 15,000 sq. ft. and housing more than 500 brands of wines and spirits.

It is not just a store, it is an experience as quoted by Anith Reddy, its managing director.

In a state that loves its liquor, the store is like a dream come true for the spirit lovers. Open for little over a year now the store has had amazing footfalls. Mostly women was my observation, seconded by the staff.

The sharp sales people do not tag behind you but notice very well what you browse through and very subtly nudge you if you look stuck.

Knowing Anith Reddy who has a knack for doing things that others would not even dare to dream about I was not surprised by the effort and thoughtfulness that has gone into his pet project. But the man is a continuous dreamer and is forever striving to do things bigger and better than anyone else.

 

Next on cards is a huge wine tasting room with sommeliers from across the world sharing their knowledge.

 “Most women head to the first floor, the selfie spot,” says Anith, pointing to a huge faux bottle of Moet & Chandon inside an ice tub. Though I was totally tired from my journey and washed out from a day of running around I could not resist a click myself.

To those who would crinkle up their noses at the very mention of spirits, I recommend a dekko for you will find some soft drinks, sodas, munchies and a variety of chocolates too.

I spent a good amount of time browsing through because the whole ambience is that of a relaxed luxury shopping destination, I wonder who wouldn’t want to spend time there to lift their spirits.

 

 

Ferrari Drive & Dinner

On Sunday, December 17, 2017 Mumbai woke up to the thundering revving of 24 Ferrari cars ready to paint the town red (mostly).

A leisure drive that set the heart of Mumbai racing was organised by Ferrari & Navnit Motors, Ferrari’s dealership in Mumbai and Hublot was one of the brand partners.
Hublot Watches is also associated with Ferrari Cars and has special Ferrari Inspired watches.

 

A cheering crowd flagged off the drive from Navnit Motors in Bandra-Kurla Complex, heading to Nariman point NCPA where there was a pit stop, via the Bandra-Worli Sea Link and concluded at the Festival Square in High Street Phoenix in Lower Parel, where an even more enthusiastic crowd was present to welcome the cars. The cars were displayed there for the remainder of the day.

 

These cars were brought from the customers places from different parts of India to Mumbai and the owners themselves droves their cars in the parade on Sunday.

The drive is one part of Ferrari’s celebrations of the 70th anniversary which was kicked off in March in September, in Maranello, Italy.

 

Lot of hearts revved for the Ferraris and people across all generations enjoyed taking selfies and pictures with the beauties.

Later that evening a private dinner was held for the owners and select invitees, where Gautam Singhania relived fond memories of his win in 2015.

 

 

Hublot presented a wall clock to Navnit Motors which will hopefully find a place in the Ferrari showroom at BKC.

 

WILL SANTA CRACK UNDER PRESSURE?

We all at some point in our lives we all have wondered how does Santa manage distributing gifts to children around the world in a single night. And we have also hoped secretly to be chosen as one of his helpers.

This year the TAG Heuer Ambassadors are chosen to help Santa do his special task, testing his ability to deliver the gifts on time. Testing not only whether or not will Santa crack under pressure but also the Ambassadors’ training skills, as well as the functionalities of Santa’s Official Watch, the TAG Heuer Connected Modular 45.

TAG Heuer is also running an Unboxing Contest on Instagram.

Here’s how you participate.

Simply upload your TAG Heuer watch unboxing photo or video to Instagram with the hashtag #MyTAGHeuerGift from December 24th to January 24th, then validate your photo or video on our website for a chance to win an exceptional TAG Heuer Connected Modular 45 Red Edition, the Official Watch of Santa Claus!

https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/mytagheuergift/