On the runway to success - MCH Group

WATCHES
■ NEWS.TRENDS
With the new Kairos Chronograph
German brand Chronoswiss
reinterprets the unique design of the
line, which was first introduced in
the 1990s. The new model features
an automatic movement whose fine
decorations can be admired
through the sapphire back.
The sophisticated dial, which
is crafted from sterling silver
and refined with a
wave pattern, displays
the day and date at
3 o’clock. The Kairos
Chronograph comes
in a 42 mm stainless
steel or red gold case.
(sz) 1.1, B03
Blued steel hands move above the
solid guilloché sterling silver dial.
The Dakar Limited Edition watch
from Edox marks the brand’s sponsorship,
for the next three years, of
the Dakar Rally Raid, held in South
America and crossing through Argentina,
Chile and Peru, whose flags are
represented on the dial. The dial of
the 42 mm stainless-steel watch also
depicts the race route in white detail
against the backdrop of a black carbon
fibre dial. Functions include hours,
minutes, small seconds and big date.
The movement is Swiss quartz, and it
is water-resistant to 100 metres. (cb)
1.0, B17
The Edox Dakar Limited Edition celebrates
the road race through South America.
Hand craftsmanship is evident in
the masterful Arceau Marqueterie
de Paille from Hermès. The dial
is a composition in straw marquetry,
specifically using rye straw produced
by only one farm in France. The
blue and black motifs in the pair of
watches depict two iconic Hermès
tie patterns, featuring chevrons and
tiny squares. It is equipped with
the mechanical self-winding calibre
H1928 movement made by the
manufacture Vaucher exclusively for
Hermès. They are packaged in a
precious Macassar ebony presentation
box, itself adorned with straw
marquetry. (cb) 1.0, B17
The Hermès Arceau Marqueterie de Paille,
a set of white gold watches with strawmarquetry
dials.
Despite the effects of 2011’s natural
disasters in Asia, Seiko
expects 2012 to be another year
of good growth, says Shinji Hattori,
CEO and president of Seiko
Watch Co. Though not at the
show due to illness, he gave
BWDN this exclusive interview
on where business is strongest
some notable 2012 debuts.
BWDN: Mr. Hattori, how did the
terrible earthquake and tsunami in
Japan, and flood in Thailand, in
2011 affect the operations of Seiko
Watch Corp.?
SATURDAY. MARCH 10. 2012
“Growth in every region”
Seiko sales are especially strong in Asia, the USA and Middle East
Shinji Hattori, CEO and president of Seiko Watch Co.
Shinji Hattori: I’m glad to be able
to say that the tsunami had only a
small effect on our business, and it
was very temporary. The flood in
Thailand, however, submerged our
clock factory under two metres of
water. It has had a very significant
effect, and we’re only now recovering.
More importantly, however,
none of our people were hurt or
made sick by the flood.
BWDN: How was business for
Seiko in 2011 and what are your
expectations for 2012?
Hattori: 2011 was a strong year for
Seiko, and we experienced good
growth in every region. 2012
should see the continuation of
this trend. We have designed our
2012 collection with the expectation
that the world economy will
soften slightly, so we believe we’re
well positioned for a good year
again, even if the market doesn’t
grow significantly.
BWDN: Where do you see the
Seiko watch brand’s best opportunities
in the next 12 months?
Hattori: Of course, Asia remains
in the lead in terms of growth for
Seiko at the moment, but we are
Delightful divers
Stunning new models right here at BASELWORLD
Watches that weather the elements
are a necessity in today’s active lifestyles.
Divers, in particular, want
watches they can wear under water
and know they’ll be able to read
them in the dark, measure dive
times and track other needs. Today’s
watchmakers are determined to
deliver both form and function in a
dive watch.
Dive watches typically are built of
rugged materials such as steel or
titanium, are water resistant to
depths deeper than most will
explore, and often offer special
functions useful to the individual
diver. Typically, dive watches are
COSC-certified chronometers that
have undergone rigorous testing in
various positions and under different
conditions of pressure, temperature,
depth and gravity over a period
of time and are found to pass.
Additionally, most dive watches
feature uni-directional rotating bezels
to measure elapsed time under
water, most sport luminous hands
and markers, and anti-glare crystals.
Some also are equipped with helium
escape valves and extenders for
the bracelets to fit over wetsuits.
Indeed, a host of different options
exist in dive watches, with more
being unveiled every day.
New this year from Clerc is the
Hydroscaph Steel GMT watch that
is water resistant to 1,000 metres −
tempting the finest divers. The
watch is crafted in the signature
octagonal Clerc case in stainless
steel and offers optimum readability.
It houses the Calibre C6060
Automatic movement with 28 jewels,
and is equipped with 45 hours
of power reserve.
The watch offers hours, minutes,
seconds, and date, as well as 24-hour
second time zone display. The steel
case is also offered in a black DLC
coated version and is 44.6 mm. The
watch features an automatic helium
valve and anti-reflective sapphire
crystal and caseback for an all
around dive tool.
Tudor Heritage Black Bay is inspired by a
expecting strong sales in the USA
and the Middle East as well.
BWDN: What are two highlights
of Seiko debuts at BASELWORLD
2012?
Hattori: There are more than two,
but if forced to choose, I would
highlight the Special Edition
Grand Seiko Hi-beat 36000 and
the Sportura chronograph in our
new women’s collection.
BWDN: Seiko launched its clean
energy website in 2011, uses battery-less
mechanical, Kinetic and
Spring Drive technologies, and
supports events like the World
Solar Challenge. What’s next?
Hattori: Concern for the environment
is a core value in everything
we do and we’ll continue to focus
development on our ‘green’ technologies.
Seiko Solar had a very
successful year in 2011, and you’ll
see some very exciting new developments
on this watch line in 2012.
BWDN: In 2011, Seiko debuted
the Credor Spring Drive Minute
Repeater, the line’s first minute
repeater. What’s new for Credor in
2012?
Similarly, Doxa unveils its bold
Sub 4000T Professional watch.
This newest dive watch offers unidirectional
bezel that indicates
decompression stops in feet to
guarantee performance. The luminescent
hour markers and hands
make for easy reading against the
bold orange dial. The watch, water
resistant to 1,220 metres, is
equipped with a helium valve at
9 o’clock. Just 200 pieces of this
dive watch are being built, each
with a stainless steel folding clasp
on the steel bracelet and a diving
suit extension system.
The new Tudor Heritage Black Bay
is inspired by a diving model that
Hattori: It’s not only in movements
that Credor brings new
ideas. This year, we’re presenting a
watch that revives the lost art of
Pique on its dial and it’s quite
remarkable.
BWDN: Seiko recently held Master
Craftsman watchmaking classes
about Grand Seiko in the U.S. Is
Seiko planning to expand Grand
Seiko’s American luxury market?
Hattori: Definitely. The progress
we are making with Grand Seiko
in the USA is very pleasing. It is
only two years since we started to
market Grand Seiko internationally,
and there are already many
leading stores with positive results
with the brand.
BWDN: How does BASEL-
WORLD affect Seiko’s business?
Hattori: Each year, we host several
hundred meetings with our retail
partners here, and these meetings
are fundamental to our business in
every region. Here we launch our
new international collection ever
year, and it’s the most important
date in our calendar.
Interview by William G. Shuster ■
first appeared in 1954. It features a
domed dial with vintage accents, a
domed crystal, and offers a blend
of form and function. The alluring
41 mm stainless steel watch is
water resistant to 200 metres.
Luminescent hour markers on the
dial ensure easy visibility. The burgundy
colour of the unidirectional
rotating bezel recalls the original
models and is exclusive to Tudor.
The Heritage Black Bay features a
new folding clasp for added security
and is delivered with a steel
bracelet and a second black fabric
strap, or with a black fabric strap
and a second strap in aged leather.
(rn) ■
diving model that first appeared in 1954. Doxa Sub 4000T Professional dives down to
1,000 metres.
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