WATCHES PAGE 4 Walter von Känel, president of Swiss luxury watch brand Longines, tells BWDN how it is marking its 180th anniversary, talks about timepieces based on its watchmaking heritage, spotlights its strongest markets, and tells why support of equestrian sports is important <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> brand. BWDN: How was Longines’ business in 2011; what do you expect in 2012? Walter von Känel: It was an excellent year for <strong>the</strong> Swiss watch industry, for <strong>the</strong> Swatch <strong>Group</strong> and for Longines. Our aim for 2012 is <strong>to</strong> keep going on. BWDN: Where are Longines’ best opportunities in <strong>the</strong> next 12 months? von Känel: Greater China, Europe and <strong>the</strong> U.S.A. are currently <strong>the</strong> strongest markets. Our strategies in <strong>the</strong> fields of product development, marketing and pricing are matching <strong>the</strong> needs of <strong>the</strong> cus<strong>to</strong>mers in <strong>the</strong>se regions. We are present in almost all <strong>the</strong> countries. The BRIC countries SATURDAY. MARCH 10. 2012 180 years of elegant performance Successful strategies are driving Longines’ sales Walter von Känel, president Longines. (Brazil, Russia, India and China) are doing well, or even very well, except for Brazil where we have <strong>to</strong> reconsider our strategy. BWDN: Longines is <strong>the</strong> timekeeper and/or sponsor of a number of equestrian sporting activities, including elite events in <strong>the</strong> Middle East, China, Germany and England. Why is this important <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> brand? von Känel: Longines has been active in equestrian disciplines for many decades. We’ve cho- sen <strong>to</strong> be involved in equestrian events − that is, horseracing, show-jumping and endurance races − <strong>to</strong> stress <strong>the</strong>se sports’ aes<strong>the</strong>tic appeal and human qualities, which dovetail with our products’ essential qualities. Fur<strong>the</strong>rmore, <strong>the</strong>se sports express <strong>the</strong> values of elegance, tradition and performance that are dear <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> brand. BWDN: In recent years, Longines debuted a number of watches − such as its Lindbergh Atlantic Voyage watches − based on classic Longines timepieces. What new watches drawn from its watchmaking heritage are being shown this year? Känel: We’ve been re-issuing heritage pieces for quite a long time now, and have a strong legitimacy in this segment. As Longines is celebrating its 180th anniversary this year, we’re going <strong>to</strong> launch several re-editions of heritage pieces enhancing <strong>the</strong> rich his<strong>to</strong>ry of Longines. BWDN: What else is Longines spotlighting here? The new dawn of pilot’s pieces For serious pilots or weekend pilots – a host of new watches take off from <strong>the</strong> show Pilot watches aren’t new. In fact <strong>the</strong>y have enjoyed a century of fame − accompanying explorers such as Charles Lindbergh and Amelia Earnhardt on <strong>the</strong>ir quests. Today’s <strong>to</strong>p watch brands offer a competitive edge with precision and functions a pilot may need in <strong>the</strong> field. Additionally, most are venturing in<strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> world of high-tech materials <strong>to</strong> clad <strong>the</strong>se watches − making <strong>the</strong>m ever more rugged and reliable and readable. Breitling unveils <strong>the</strong> Chronomat 44 GMT in a new diameter. The watch houses <strong>the</strong> COSC-certified chronometer 04 Calibre manufactured entirely in house by Brei- tling. It offers hours, minutes, seconds, date, second time zone and third time zone on <strong>the</strong> bezel, chronograph <strong>to</strong> ¼ of a second, 30-minutes and 12 hours, and tachymeter bezel − all in a magnificent 44 mm stainless steel case. New from Vogard is <strong>the</strong> Datezoner Pilot watch − an amazing technical functioning watch that is <strong>the</strong> only watch <strong>to</strong> change date and time zones via <strong>the</strong> bezel. The date is set via <strong>the</strong> bezel and is synchronized with <strong>the</strong> time zones and <strong>the</strong> cities on <strong>the</strong> bezel. The unique, patented mechanism ensures that <strong>the</strong> date changes au<strong>to</strong>matically when <strong>the</strong> hour hand is moved over <strong>the</strong> The Heritage Pilot is a contemporary rendition of Alpina’s 1920s and 1930s pilot’s watches. midnight line. The chronograph watch offers UTC time, as well. The entire complex movement is housed inside a titanium case that is ultra strong yet super light weight. DST is au<strong>to</strong>matically accounted for in <strong>the</strong> nor<strong>the</strong>rn and sou<strong>the</strong>rn hemispheres. The world time chronograph Datezoner Pilot watch with three complications offers a sapphire crystal. Bell & Ross this year moves strongly in<strong>to</strong> high-tech materials, unveiling <strong>the</strong> BR01-94 in Carbon Fiber. This mechanical au<strong>to</strong>matic three-counter chronograph with date is crafted in an XL 46 mm carbon fiber case with a two-<strong>to</strong>ne decor and matching strap. The black Clous de Paris dial features luminescent coating for easy readability. Similarly, Hanhart unveils <strong>the</strong> Pioneer Stealth 1882 Limited edition watch with bicompax au<strong>to</strong>matic movement and black ADLC coated stainless steel case. The flyback chronograph with tachymeter scale and telemeter scale features a bidirectional rotating bezel with convex sapphire glass and antireflective sapphire crystal. Offering pilot timing with vintage flair, Alpina unveils its Heritage Pilot watch in a contemporary rendition of <strong>the</strong> Alpina pilot watches from <strong>the</strong> 1920’s von Känel: We’re launching The Longines Saint-Imier Collection − exceptional timepieces exclusively with mechanical movements. These models pay tribute <strong>to</strong> Saint- Imier, <strong>the</strong> village in Switzerland where Longines was founded in 1832. The company has close links with this village, where it has developed. So, this collection perfectly embodies Longines’ his<strong>to</strong>rical values.We will also introduce some beautiful limited edi- and ‘30’s. The watch features a hand-wound pocket watch calibre, AL-435, with 17 jewels and 42 hours of power reserve. The alluring timepiece features a script Alpina logo on <strong>the</strong> black dial, and a sub-seconds hand at 6:00, along with Arabic numerals – offering supreme legibility. It is crafted in a 50 mm case with tion pieces dedicated <strong>to</strong> Longines’ 180th anniversary in 2012. BWDN: 2011, <strong>the</strong> Master Collection Retrograde Moon Phase debuted. How is <strong>the</strong> response? von Känel: Deliveries start soon. Based on our experience with initial versions of The Longines Master Collection Retrograde, we’re convinced it’s going <strong>to</strong> be a hit! Interview: William G. Shuster ■ Swiss luxury watchmaker Longines celebrated its 180 years of watchmaking excellence with an infor- mative, day-long anniversary exhibition of its his<strong>to</strong>ry staged at <strong>the</strong> Swatch Plaza on Friday, March 9. hinged caseback that opens <strong>to</strong> a sapphire crystal revealing <strong>the</strong> mechanical movement inside. Zenith’s Pilot Aéronef Type 20 is a C.O.S.C.-certified chronometer containing <strong>the</strong> famous 5011 pocket watch calibre that was named <strong>the</strong> most accurate chronometer ever tested by <strong>the</strong> Neuchâtel Observa<strong>to</strong>ry in 1967. The same calibre has his<strong>to</strong>rically been used in marine chronometers and pocket watches and now for <strong>the</strong> first time in a wristwatch debuting at BASELWORLD. (rn/sz) ■ Just 130 pieces of <strong>the</strong> Limited Edition Hanhart Pioneer Stealth 1882 in black DLC coated stainless steel will be produced. The Zenith Pilot Aéronef Type 20 reinterprets <strong>the</strong> codes of a high-flying <strong>success</strong> from its rich his<strong>to</strong>ry.
TACTILE TECHNOLOGY chosen by Deepika Padukone – Actress Glamorous <strong>to</strong>uch screen watch in white mo<strong>the</strong>r-of-pearl with Top Wessel<strong>to</strong>n diamonds. IN TOUCH WITH YOUR TIME Experience more at www.t-<strong>to</strong>uch.com meteo altimeter compass DIAMONDS
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