INTERVIEW: Future plans LVMH Zenith

It is almost 2010 and a lot of brands are looking back to 2009 as a ''crisis'' year and are also looking forward to 2010. 2010 could be a new year where the economy is getting better and new perspectives are born. TSWatches found an interesting interview with new Zenith CEO Jean-Frederic Dufour about the plans of Zenith in 2010.

MOSCOW, Dec 1 - Luxury Swiss watch brand Zenith is set to launch a line of watches at a fraction of its usual price to combat pressure on sales from the global economic slowdown, its Chief Executive told Reuters.The 144 year-old company -- owned by French luxury goods maker LVMH -- will sell the budget watches at just under 3,000 euros ($4,511) from 2010, its President and CEO Jean-Frederic Dufour said in an interview. "You can't lower the price of existing watches -- you come out with a lower product at a different price. That is what we are on the way to do," he told Reuters, when asked if the financial crisis had affected his business strategy. He said there would be no restrictions on production levels of the new models, whereas the higher end offerings are assembled in limited or even unique editions to increase their rarity and value. Zenith's most expensive watches can take up to a year to make and sell for as much as $500,000, but premium watch-makers have been hurt across the world as even billionaires look to cut back on pricey accessories. Swiss watch exports were down 25.5 percent in the 10 months to end October, according to Swiss Watch Industry data.
Dufour, who was poached by Zenith in May from rival Chopard, said he had been forced to write off 2009 but hoped for at least a slow recovery next year. "2009 ... we'd better forget it and talk about the future. It's a global feeling that the world economy has touched bottom -- there will be a recovery in 2010, slowly, but there will be a recovery," he said. Dufour was speaking at the launch of Zenith's first ever Russian concession, which is opening in central Moscow a short walk from the Red Square. "It was a very big and good opportunity for us -- we still believe in the market, we still believe in Russia ... Russian people are very watch-addicted people -- they are very precise," he said.

Dufour added that he expected to achieve single digit growth in Russia next year, but that there were no existing plans to open more outlets in Russia for the time being. He said Asia, and China specifically, was a stronger possibility. LVMH, the world's biggest luxury goods company, said in October its third quarter trading had been better across all divisions as the global economy picked up (Forexyard, 2010)

We, as TSWatches, are thinking it is a good way to be different then other brands. But we hope the magnificent El Primero perfection is still there. Zenith is always named because of their outstanding, high quality and good looking watches. We think people must see this history coming back in these new (lower priced) watches.

Written by: Tobias. S

Fake Watches are for Fake People

The Fondation de la Haute Horlogerie and the Federation of the Swiss Watch Industry are collaborating to launch an international anti-watchreplica campaign. Their objective is to inform the public on the damage caused by this huge problem. The problem is expanding rapidly through multiple distribution channels, especially online. This illegalindustry amount to US$ 200 billion to 360 billion a year, or 5% to 7% of international trade. Mostly the Swiss Watches are a target in this illegal replica world. The Federation of the Swiss Watch Industry (FH) estimates that over 40 million fake Swiss watches are made each year (compared with exports of almost 26 million authentic Swiss watches in 2007).

We must not forget, this wouldn’t be such a big industry without the individuals who buy fake watches, and who fail to realise the damage they cause, in particular in human terms. The priority in the fight against this illegal market must therefore be to speak directly to these potential customers and have them realise that what they buy has serious consequences on companies and nations. The Swiss brands who are copied by these illegal watchmakers are also investing a lot of money in protecting their magnificent timepieces against these 'terror'. For example, Hublot has an guarantee card which you cannot copy. Its a sort of creditcard with a unique code. The campaign against illegal watches is supported by many international media.

The time has come to challenge this plague of illegal business. Thats why TSWatches supports this campaign. We cannot allow this illegal activities anymore, it ruins the great luxury watchindustry, so lets say it together: "Fake Watches are for Fake People!''.

Written by: Tobias. S

Looking back on Belles Montres 2009

The 3rd Belles Montres was held in Paris 27-29 november. It is an exhibition for the people who want to discover the world of haute horlogerie. The timepieces you see at this exhibition are unique in his/her kind and are nice artpieces. For example Greubel & Forsey. This brand has an double tourbillon in one watch (see the picture). The location was historical, it was held at the Carrousel du Louvre. There where 38 Exhibitors. For example brands like Audemars Piguet, Panerai, Girard Pirregaux, Hublot, Richard Mille, Rolex and  A. Lange & Söhne. Despite the rumours of a ''crisis'' Belles Montres attracts a large number of visitors. This years edition was a great succes and we look forward to the 4th edition.

Written by: Tobias. S

Special: Zenithium

Zenithium is a special material designed by the Haute Horlogerie brand Zenith. It consists of Titanium, Aluminium and Niobium. They are especially working with this material in the Defy Classic and Xtreme timepieces. It allows a higher shock resistance to the movement. With this material there is no Deformation and no risks of damage into the movement. In the first picture you can see the explanation of the pressure. In the second picture you can see the Shock Absorption process of the Zenith Defy collection. The case of the watch is designed with the materials Zenithium and Carbon. This makes the case more resistible to extreme conditions.

Written by: Tobias. S

Baselworld 2010

The preparations of the 2010 edition of the Baselworld watches & jewellery show already started. All the hotels in Basel are fully booked in the period 18 to 25 march. Does the crisis affect this edition of the fair or is everybody hearing positive noises and directly buying a lot of new jewellery and nice timepieces. We will hear it after 25 March. For now we have a sneakpeek from Corum for the 2010 collection.

First of all the Corum Admiral's Cup 50th Anniversary Minute Repeater Tourbillon. Its an 45 mm Case in 18 kt. red gold. Corum used a new caliber in this watch, the CO 010. The development of this caliber took two years. It has an magnificent 72 hour power reserve. The model is very recognizalbe because of the twelf-sided bezel (Corum, 2009).

I am also curious about the new Zenith collection. This is the first fully prepared Baselyear for the new CEO of Zenith Jean-Frédéric Dufour. And we all can't deny that he is a different person compared to Thierry Nataf. And is Breitling coming with new models included with the new B01 Manufactured movement? We will see. The next post will be very special. We are going to talk about the specially by Zenith designed material Zenithium.

Written by: Tobias. S

Zenith: Time of the Conquerors

Not many people know this timepiece from the Zenith collection. It is the Zenith Academy Last Tsar. It is an 18crt. Rosegold timepiece. The tourbillon is covered with the golden two-headed eagle symbol of the eternal Russia. It is specially designed for the Russian market.

The watch you see on the picture is the tourbillon chronograph with an El Primero caliber 4005b movement and an 22crt. gold rotor. It has an Zenithbrown crocodile leather strap.There are three models on the market. The tourbillon chronograph, the tourbillon perpetual calendar and the minute repeater.

Written by: Tobias. S

Officine Panerai opens Boutique in Doha.

The brand with Italian Roots, Officine Panerai, opens a new boutique in Doha, Qatar. A town on the Persian Gulf. The Boutique is opening its doors in the ambitious Villaggio Mall, the largest and most luxurious Shopping Center in Qatar. The complex is about 150.000 square metres big and it the architectural details were inspired by the Italian Renaissance with some nice Venetian detail like the canals.

The boutique has the same design like the other boutiques in the world. It is has a nautical, recognizable design with steel and teak combinations. They also have some exclusive timepieces on stock like the Radiomir Tourbillon GMT, the Luminor 1950 Tourbillon and the Luminor 1950 Chrono Monopulsante (Panerai, 2009)

Special: Jaeger-LeCoultre AMVOX

This week in the special topic the Jaeger-LeCoultre AMVOX.
The legendary & luxurious carbrand Aston Martin collaborate with a leader in the watchmaking industry named Jaeger-LeCoultre. This is an combination where people only can dream about. This dream came true in 2005.  Four years later the AMVOX collection is well known on the market. The collection has three nice models: Amvox3 Tourbillon GMT (limited to 300 pieces), Amvox2 Chronograph and the Amvox2 Chronograph DBS. Unique is the pushpiece-free chronograph. The functions are operated simply by pressing the sapphire crystal, at 12 o'clock for the start and stop functions, and at 6 o'clock to reset to zero. This system is called the vertical-trigger chronograph system.

The Amvox2 Chronograph DBS is a unique piece on his own. By integrating the transponder circuit into the body of the watch, Jaeger-LeCoultre has created a timepiece and a carkey in one. You can open and close you car with this unique timepiece. Only Aston Martin DBS owners can buy this watch.


After the vertical-trigger chronograph system, Jaeger-LeCoultre creates a groundbreaking step: the first mechanical watch to control the locking mechanism on a luxury car.

Jerome Lambert, Chief Executive Officer of Jaeger-LeCoultre said: "This is one of the most exciting projects our team has developed in the area of functional innovation in watchmaking. The collaboration with all levels of the Aston Martin organisation has been deep and exhilarating, and no doubt this transpires in the breakthrough nature and design of the AMVOX2 DBS Transponder itself." (Professionalwatches, 2009)
Written by: Tobias. S

Audemars Piguet NYC Boutique

Last month Audemars Piguet launched their new boutique at a new location in New York . They are now located at 57th street, between Park Avenue and Madison Avenue. The new store is 3000 square ft and gives a whole new dimension to the brand.

This boutique has one of the biggest collections in the United States. It variates from the Royal Oak Family to the exclusive Millenairy collection. In the boutique you also find the limited Las Vegas Strip Edition.

On the image you see the Las Vegas Strip Limited collection. Available at the NYC Boutique.

Who is wearing what?

These days a lot of people have rolemodels. Interesting for me was: what kind of male rolemodel wears what kind of watch? I hope in the future I can interview some of these celebrities why they are wearing that specific watch. Because of the looks, technical specifications, the brand or just to see the time? For now its just what kind of watch the celebrities wearing.

Nicolas Cage wears an Rolex Submariner and Patrick Dempsey wears an Audemars Piquet Royal Oak. Audemars Piquet is by the way a well known watch by celebrities. Also Jay-Z, Arnold Swarzenegger, David Beckham, Wesley Sneijder, Usher and P-Diddy are wearing an Audemars Piquet.

The Famous face of Breitling is ofcourse John Travolta. Also other big stars wearing Breitling. Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, Usher and again P-Diddy.

We began with Rolex. I Think everyone who earns a lot of money has a Rolex. But Jacob and Co has a list on their site that is kind of unique. Angela Bassett, Jimmy Fallon, Gisele Bundchen, Sean “P. Diddy” Combs, Enrique Iglesias, Justin Timberlake, Verne Troyer, Fred Durst, David & Victoria Beckham, Sir Elton John, Karl Lagerfeld, Carmen Kass, Naomi Campbell, Stefano Gabbana, Mya, Busta Rhymes, Nelly, Wyclef Jean, Nas, Tyrese, 50 Cent, Sharon & Ozzy Osbourne, Madonna, Jennifer Lopez, Bono, Michael Jordan, Tyson Beckford, Britney Spears, Sharon Stone, Beyonce Knowles, Rudolf Giuliani, Lenny Kravitz, Jessica Simpson and John Mayer wearing Jacob & Co (Jacob and Co, 2009). This list is pretty impressive! They even said on their site: "and the list goes on".

This was my first post and I hope you will return for some nice new posts.You can also expect a lot news for the Baselworld fair in March and other famous fairs.

Written by: Tobias. S