Global watch sales drop by 4 per cent

Muscat: Watch sales across the globe witnessed a 4 per cent drop last year, says the regional director of Hublot watches Middle East and Africa.
“Last year, the world watch industry had a drop of 4 per cent; at the same time Hublot watches attained a growth of 10 per cent especially in the Middle East,” Marco Tedeschi told Times of Oman in an exclusive interview.
“Hublot is the brand that has not been affected at all by the current economic crisis in the region and we have achieved a growth of more than 20 per cent in the Middle East,” he added.
Speaking about the launch of Hublot watches in Oman during this crisis period, Tedeschi said “we are not at all concerned about the economic conditions in Oman because we had the similar situation in the other GCC countries and we are having a good business there.”
“For us, the Middle East is a strong market,” he added.
Speaking about how he is planning to market their brand to a new audience, Tedeschi said “we do not have any particular way to attract a specific market. For Hublot, there is only one universal message – we connect tradition to the future without repeating yesterday.”
“We know the tradition, we master it and we respect it. But, for us, the most important factor is to connect yesterday to tomorrow. Without innovation and creativity, there is no future for the brand,” he added.
According to him, Hublot’s strategy is always to bring new ideas and innovation to their clients.
“Hublot loves to be close to the clients and we like to meet our clients through different types of events to explain what Hublot watches is all about,” regional director said.
“By having these kinds of events, we can easily build a strong relationship with our clients and we like to work on the same strategy in the Sultanate, which is a new market to us,” Tedeschi added.
According to Tedeschi, Oman’s luxury market has two dimensions.
“In Oman, we can have local clientele and there is also potential for tourism because Oman is one of the beautiful countries in the GCC with natural and cultural beauty, which attract more tourists to this country,” he said.
“This will also help us to grow our business in Oman,” regional director asserted.
Speaking about what makes Hublot brand differ from its competitors, director said; “in anything we do, we aim to be the pioneers, different and unique and this is what characterises us and that’s why Hublot has received much admiration amongst women and men.”
He also said that the customers of the brand are the people who are trendy and the people who like innovations.
Speaking about their association with the Mistal, the luxury watch and jewellery boutique Regional Director said, “we are teaming up with the Mistal in order to develop this new market for us.”
“We love their boutique concept and they have one of the best boutiques in the world; Hublot like to be in a different atmosphere,” he asserted.
“We are looking for good opportunities to expand our brand in Oman,” Tedeschi answered to the question about their future plan in Oman.
According to Tedeschi, price of Hublot watches in Oman will begin from OMR1900 and goes on.
He was in Oman for the launch of Hublot watches in the Omani market and he showcased eight of their new watches launched at Baselworld this year.