On the runway to success - MCH Group

PAGE 15
SATURDAY. MARCH 10. 2012
Tendence strong in Asia
Gabriele Ghielmini talks about new markets and products
Immediately identifiable thanks
to their depth and three-dimensional
dials, the Tendence Watch
brand, based in Lugano, Switzerland,
offers contemporary
style and individual expression.
Although the watches have only
been available for five years,
they are already distributed
across the globe. Tendence CEO
Gabriele Ghielmini talks about
company strategies and new
products.
BWDN: Founded in 2007, Tendence
is still a young brand. What
is its profile?
Gabriele Ghielmini: Tendence is
a very dynamic brand and while
it is still a young brand, within
the company’s structure we have
a wealth of experience, which
goes hand in hand with the continuous
growth and development
of Tendence. We serve the worldwide
markets from our head office
in Lugano, Switzerland, and the
Tendence Asia branch in Hong
Kong, where the most innovative
technologies are in place,
from the R&D to the logistic
operations, now complete with a
pioneering new automated serial
number management and tracking
system. We are continuously
looking for ways to improve,
develop and grow our business.
Notably, the Tendence Asia
branch is expanding every month
to meet the demand of the rapidly
evolving Asian markets.
Savoy, launched at BASEL-
WORLD 2011 by Pascal Savoy,
is already known for its modern,
edgy styles. The brand introduces
its new seasonal range this year,
including new rubber strap colours,
complete metal bracelets
and leather or enamel inserts.
Each collection is imbued with
signature details, including mother-of-pearl
dials, sapphire crystals,
diamond bezels and enamel
embellished inserts. The watches
are unisex, and available in three
Tendence CEO Gabriele Ghielmini.
Savoy’s seasonal collection
BWDN: How do Tendence
watches distinguish from other
brands?
Ghielmini: Tendence watches are
audacious and immediately recognisable.
Many people refer to
Tendence as the brand which
doesn’t follow the trends, but
creates them. I believe this ability
is fuelled by our core philosophy,
which emphasises the
importance of individuality and
freedom of expression. After all,
‘style’ should be exactly how the
person wearing the watch wishes
to interpret it.
sizes: standard 45 mm and allnew
41 mm and 35 mm versions.
Each Savoy watch strap or bracelet
is equipped with an oversized
metal insert that is embedded as a
long single link. The rubber strap
is uniquely molded to keep the
natural constant curve of the wrist
as well as allowing the fixation of
the inserts. All feature Swiss-made
ETA or Ronda movements, and
are water resistant to 100 metres.
Every watch comes with a twoyear
international warranty and is
packaged in a wooden box with
a matching Savoy writing instrument
and business card holder.
(cb) ■ 1.1, D51
The Savoy Icon collection is available
in several styles, colours and finish options,
all with Swiss quartz movements.
BWDN: What role does the
design play in Tendence watches?
Ghielmini: The designs are an
integral part of Tendence watches
and essentially the DNA of the
brand. Creativity is at the heart
of Tendence and this is reflected
in everything we do. Tendence
watches are ‘larger than life’ −
not only because of the oversized
style, but also due to the extraordinary,
impressive design, which
is sometimes even described as
irreverent.
Every design has a unique, contemporary,
innovative aesthetic
and the three-dimensional numbers
are synonymous with Tendence.
BWDN: How was 2011 and what
do you expect for 2012?
Ghielmini: 2011 was a challenging,
yet rewarding year. Consolidation
was an important factor
in some markets, whilst we had
significant growth in Asia. 2011
saw the start of a big operation
in China, a key market opening
for us, with openings of the first
Tendence mono-brand boutiques
in China’s largest cities and most
prestigious locations, with some
of China’s most renowned celebrities
endorsing Tendence.
Furthermore, internally, we made
considerable investments to
strengthen our sales and logistics
structures, which are imperative
for us to continue to advance
successfully towards our long
term goals and objectives. Overall,
the way in which Tendence
innovates and designs is central
to our success, and this year
we are launching four impressive
new collections plus various line
extensions which I’m sure are
going to be very well received.
In 2012 we expect to see major
growth in China where there is
huge potential for Tendence as
well as across Asia where more
and more Tendence mono-brand
boutiques will be opening.
Interview by Sabine Zwettler ■
The Jura line of skeleton watches includes both contemporary and traditional models.
The art of skeleton
Rotary is launching its first
proprietary movement at
BASELWOLRD, the Jura Cal.
R.1000/21. It will be featured in
a new collection of skeleton automatic
watches in the brand’s Les
Originales collection. The Jura
range of 20 new skeleton models
includes both contempory and
traditional elements, as well as
open dials that reveal part or all
of the movement. They also have
open casebacks. Styles among the
new models range from versions
with black or gunmetal ion-plated
cases, and there are three very distinctive
pocket watches. Some of
the traditional models will have a
full skeleton dial that offers clear
visibility of the branded automatic
calibre, which has a bespoke
winged wheel rotor design. The
new calibre is protected by the
company’s lifetime movement
guarantee. Rotary is a fourth-generation
family owned Swiss brand
that is sold in over 40 countries.
The new collection can be viewed
at the Dreyfuss Group stand at
BASELWORLD. (cb) ■ 1.1, A19
WATCHES
■ NEWS.TRENDS
Following the design of the Folli
Follie Heart4Heart necklace, the
Heart4Heart watch series features
four sparkling crystal hearts shaped
together in the form of a
lucky clover on the dial.
The new timepiece
is available in rose
gold plated and
stainless steel
and driven by a
Myota quartz
m o v e m e n t .
The Heart-
4Heart watch
series comes in
dazzling combinations
of white and
black silky straps. (sz)
1.1, B31
Folli Follie Heart4Heart watch series.
Flagship, the star collection from
Swiss Military – Hanowa, has
been subtly reworked and a chronograph
added to the line-up. Classically
styled, with a choice of dial, bezel – in
red, blue, white or black – and on a
steel bracelet or leather strap, the
brand has paid particular attention
to the finish and decoration, as well
as the immediately legible dial, which
has luminescent hands and hour
markers. The 42 mm stainless steel
316 L case, which is water resistant
to 100 metres, houses a quartz
movement indicating the date at the
6 o’clock position. (sz) 1.1, D75
The Flagship chrono stays true to the
brand’s credo of sport watches.
Among the three new series and nine
new watches introduced this year by
Jorg Gray Timepieces is the
5100-33. It is a multi-function watch,
with a 24-hour subdial at 6 o’clock
and an overlapping date subdial at
3 o’clock. The 44mm case is rose gold
plated over stainless steel. The dial
is white, tone-on-tone, with a subtle
stripe and rose gold markers. The
skeletonized hands are applied with
luminous tips. The strap
is white silicone. It is
water resistant to
100 metres. (cb)
2.0, C62
The Jorg Gray
5100-33 is a
multi-function
timepiece with
overlapping
24-hour and
date subdials.