Foreword

It’s mid-summer time in India and the heat is really turned on post the successful conduct of both the Swiss Watch fairs in the first quarter of 2011!And the writing on the wall is very much on the wall! According to a new report by Global Industry Analysts, Inc., the Global Watches Market is expected to touch $46.65 billion and the clocks market to touch $5.42 Billion by 2017. And India is definitely high on the agenda of all global watch and clock manufacturers and marketers in terms of a strong prospective demand base.

During this decade, India’s horological business is poised for a major metamorphosis from the consumer and trade perspective! India is ready to take a quantum leap in terms of retail infrastructure, distribution, marketing and promotions. As India emerges and shines, there is a literal transformation taking place across the length and breadth of the country. Traditional family run businesses are more inclined to investing more, partnering with international players, imbibing the best-of-breed practices and espousing professionalism at the core of their operations. And of course, a whole new breed of daringly different entrepreneurs is also foraying into the business.

Constant drumming of the ‘retail infrastructure’ message by international players is slowly having its impact on India’s trade psyche! This decade will witness a concentrated effort and initiative by Indian trade constituents. Work is already on in terms of enhancing the number of retail formats; devising innovative retail formats; ramping up the scale and quality of customer experience, sales and service. There is a realization of elevating the knowledge levels of sales personnel and enrich the sales process experience. And when it comes to marketing and distribution, there is a distinct focus on revolving all consumer-connect initiatives around the point of sale.

Frederique Constant has taken a preliminary giant step in India by supporting the environmental initiative that have been presented with Pantaloons Femina Miss India (PFMI) Earth 2010 who was crowned Miss Earth recently.

This special annual issue presents an eclectic array of industry developments including some high profile launches , interviews of captains of the industry, Indian and international novelties, high profile celebrity and product driven promotions, tutorials, distribution and retailing initiatives which seem to become bigger and bigger, financial results, advertising campaigns with celebrities, other trade news and also an ambitious expansion programme by Nepal’s leading watch entrepreneur.

As India’s horological businesses evolve and gear up for the next phase of growth, the Watch Market Review Group has completed a phenomenal metamorphosis in terms of its portfolio of offerings to discerning trade and consumers. The flagship ‘Watch Market Review’ dons a new avatar in terms of sleek editorial presentation with complimenting attractive layouts designing and quality compelling content. Monthly colour consumer-centric tabloid, ‘Our Vision’, with its clutter breaking approach, has already set the pace for an offbeat consumer-friendly watch magazine format with appealing visuals, enticing presenting and crisp messaging. Luxury personified quarterly ‘Hot & Haute’ embodies the aspirations and preoccupations of aesthetes and aficionados. And ‘Time For India’, which comes once every 2 years, is an eagerly awaited coffee-table collectors edition that transcends the test of time.