Franck Muller: Shenyang Forum

by
Franck Muller’s first duplex boutique was opened in September 2012 at Forum 66 in Shenyang, China. Click on the image for a better view. The scale can be better appreciated by comparing the size of the boutique with the height of the people seen at the bottom right-hand corner. The grand opening of this impressive boutique will be held on 7 June 2013. Photo: © Franck Muller

Franck Muller’s first duplex boutique was opened in September 2012 at Forum 66 in Shenyang, China. Click on the image for a better view. The scale can be better appreciated by comparing the size of the boutique with the height of the people seen at the bottom right-hand corner. The grand opening of this impressive boutique will be held on 7 June 2013. Photo: © Franck Muller

China remains a hot topic these days, especially for luxury brands, including those offering Swiss luxury timepieces.

Between January to April 2013, Swiss watch exports to China experienced a significant decline of 25% to 432.5 million Swiss francs from 574.6 million Swiss francs over the same period in 2012, according to the Federation of the Swiss Watch Industry FH.

However, one must note that 2012 was a record year for Swiss watch exports to China. When compared to the period from January to April 2011, Swiss watch exports from January to April 2013 would appear to be more stable, as the decline was 2%.

What is noteworthy is that on a global basis, the value of Swiss exports of timepieces which cost more than 3,000 Swiss francs grew by 8% in April 2013. The value of Swiss wristwatches in gold exported also increased by almost 6%.

One key question is: where is demand coming from for the “sweeter spots” in the watch industry? Additionally, are the Chinese buying when overseas or are they purchasing locally?

Well, perhaps one place for a China forum on watches, notably those from Franck Muller, could be the brand’s duplex boutique which was opened in Shenyang, China in September 2012 at Forum 66 (pun most definitely intended).

This 144 square-metre or 1,550 square-feet boutique appears impressive indeed. Kingston Chu, vice chairman and executive director of Franck Muller Asia, highlights that this is the brand’s very first duplex boutique.

Franck Muller Gold Croco automatic in 18K gold. Photo: © Franck Muller

Franck Muller Gold Croco automatic in 18K gold. Photo: © Franck Muller

It is also here that one can enjoy the brand’s full collection including the Gold Croco automatic wristwatch launched in early 2013. Could this be one such model that is spurring the demand for timepieces in gold?

IWC’s Winning Formula: Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton

by
Goodbye naked wrist, hello IWC! You can expect to see more of IWC on the wrist of Formula One driver Nico Rosberg of the Mercedes AMG Petronas team at official Formula One events. Rosberg at the Circuit de Catalunya in Barcelona, Spain in May 2013. Photo: © IWC

Goodbye naked wrist, hello IWC! You can expect to see more of IWC on the wrist of Formula One driver Nico Rosberg of the Mercedes AMG Petronas team at official Formula One events. Rosberg (without a watch) at the Circuit de Catalunya in Barcelona, Spain in May 2013 (before becoming an ambassador of IWC). Photo: © IWC

It was merely a matter of time before Formula One drivers Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg, both from the Mercedes AMG Petronas team, were to become ambassadors for IWC.

Well, this is simply because one year earlier, on 8 May 2012, the announcement of the partnership agreement between IWC and the Mercedes AMG Petronas Formula One team was made.

A year later on 25 May 2013, a day before the final race of the Formula One Grand Prix de Monaco, IWC officially appointed Hamilton and Rosberg as the new ambassadors or “friends of the brand.”

Mercedes AMG Petronas Formula One team drivers Nico Rosberg (left) and Lewis Hamilton (right) were presented with the IWC Big Pilot’s Watch to welcome them as new friends of the brand. Photo: © Photopress / IWC

Mercedes AMG Petronas Formula One team drivers Nico Rosberg (left) and Lewis Hamilton (right) were presented with the IWC Big Pilot’s Watch to welcome them as new friends of the brand. Photo: © Photopress / IWC

A day later on Sunday, Rosberg, starting from pole position, sped to secure the team’s first victory of the season at the Monaco Grand Prix in a race described as “chaotic” due to the activation of the safety car twice and a red flag.

Could the victory in Monaco be an omen of a strong winning formula developing between IWC and the new friends of the brand?

Both Hamilton and Rosberg were presented with IWC’s iconic Pilot’s watches by Goris Verburg, Director Marketing and Communication at IWC. It was also a great moment for Verburg as he had only recently assumed his new position.

Verburg was moved up to IWC headquarters in Schaffhausen and had formerly been responsible for the Southeast Asian markets. He was the former Managing Director of Southeast Asia for IWC and was based in Singapore. IWC’s new Managing Director for Southeast Asia is Edouard D’Arbaumont.

What is interesting is that the drivers were issued with Big Pilot’s watches rather than the timepieces from the Ingenieur collection, a line more in tune with motor sport racing as opposed to aviation.

The 46mm diameter IWC Big Pilot’s Watch, launched in 2012, houses the Calibre 5111 automatic movement and features a seven-day power reserve. Photo: © IWC

The 46mm diameter IWC Big Pilot’s Watch, launched in 2012, houses the Calibre 5111 automatic movement and features a seven-day power reserve. Photo: © IWC

Can this be taken to mean that there could possibly be special editions of the Ingenieur dedicated to racing or named in honour of Hamilton and Rosberg in the future?

Or maybe even a special “Ingenieur Watch for Father and Son”?

What is worth noting is that Rosberg’s father, Keke (Keijo Erik Rosberg), is a former Formula One race driver. He was crowned Formula One World Champion in 1982. It was Keke who first mentored his son.

What is fascinating is the fact that Keke, when driving for the Williams F1 team, had secured a win at the same venue exactly three decades ago – at the Monaco Grand Prix held in May 1983.

Nico Rosberg’s recent win in Monaco is a fitting 30th anniversary celebratory gift for his father who was present at the race.

Speaking of which, there is also an existing paired IWC “Big Pilot’s Watch for Father and Son”.

Even more intriguing is the revelation by Nico Rosberg that his first watch was an IWC which was a gift from his father. Such a long-standing relationship with IWC takes on a deeper emotive meaning not only for both father and son but for fans of the Rosbergs, the watch brand and the Formula One motoring sport.