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WMR - July 2010
Foreword
WMR July 2010
 The monsoons brought respite but also gloom!! Time stopped still in June 2010 as Mr. Nicolas G. Hayek, Chairman and Delegate of the Board of Directors of The Swatch Group Ltd. unexpectedly passed away due to heart failure during work at his beloved Swatch Group. This dynamic entrepreneur’s vision, mission and enormous contribution to the entire watchmaking world has inspired millions of people. He has left his indelible footprints in the eternal sands of time as a legendary icon. The Swiss industry and the entire global watchmaking business paid rich glowing tribute to this ‘Maharaja’.
Meanwhile, the Swiss watch industry continues charting its ambitious leadership path ahead. The FHH HH Foundation opened a new delegation in India. Baselworld received the coveted GACG award. Watchmakers A. Lange & Sohne instituted a Swiss prize for upcoming watchmakers from A. Lange & Sohne. Frederique Constant - launches SalesConquest CRM. TW Steel - 5 Years is the Big Daddy of Big Time. And beware of the bite of the URWERK - Black Cobra. World Cup soccer fever inspired several promotions. Concord created its own blitz at FIFA World Cup with Javier Pastore.
Indian entities of global watch companies witnessed a change of leadership with K. Tokura being appointed as the new MD of Citizen Watches India. This issue also features an exclusive with V. D. Wadhwa, the new head of Timex Watches India where he eulogises his vision and mission. Johnson Verghese of Fossil has mega growth plans for 2010 and 2011. India has now become a strategic market for RAYMOND WEIL.
On the retail front, there was a lot of development. Bijou Kurien of Reliance Retail will chair the Indian Retail Federation Summit 2010. Gitanjali launched ‘BEZEL’ - an exclusive multibrand lifestyle watch store. Ethos Swiss Watch Studios opened a new store at Mumbai Airport while AP Group launched at DLF Promenade, New Delhi. This issue highlights whether Luxury infrastructure is witnessing a Slip between cup and lip!
The new collections of Blue Watches are a joy to behold. Fastrack hypnotises as it Zips and Zooms into a Titan amongst youth brands. On the eve of school reopening, Titan Eye Plus unveiled the new Back to School Dash collection. Gronefeld introduced “One Hertz”. The new Men’s BLACK collection from Hugo Boss watches / Tommy Hilfiger Watches presents ‘Spring Summer Collection 2010’. Milus - presents a new interpretation of the TIRION TriRetrograde watch. Titan Eye Plus launches lens manufacturing unit. Salman Khan launches Being Human watches n Dubai. Disney and Zoop from Titan launches limited edition watches featuring Disney?Pixar’s Toy Story.
Talking of International watch exhibitions, Hong Kong Watch & Clock Fair is poised to ensure that it’s “Brands’ Time to Shine”! After all brands are the stars of our business!
Sunil Karer
Editor
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