1. Things are looking
pretty good for 2016,
but we’re going to have
to play it carefully.
In a highly uncertain
market, choosing
the right product is
absolutely crucial.
In my view, the new
collections have to
take market trends into
account while remaining
true to identity and
Hublot’s DNA. I can’t
really speak for the
other brands, but there
might be some erosion.
We’ll probably see some
market consolidation
with fewer players
and less demand from
Southeast Asia.
2. Speaking for Hublot,
the backbone of our
strategy is our collection.
We have a strong
product offering that
corresponds to customer
demand. We’re strengthening
our presence in our current markets by
reinforcing our retail
strategy in a number of
ways, including opening
a boutique on 5th Avenue
in New York. Also, as
regards communications,
as the official watch
of UEFA EURO 2016 the
thrust of our communications
is going
to be geared to that
partnership. This year,
we’ll be celebrating
the tenth anniversary
of the All Black concept
and we’re going to be
relaying this “philosophy”
to our markets.
3. No way, mechanical
watches will adapt
to market demand. As
for Hublot, we’ll
always be striving for
excellence in haute
horlogerie by aiming to
develop new innovative
and avant-garde models.
Smartwatches have
potential, but maybe not in our segment.
Of course, we’re not
inactive; we’re working
on elements of connectivity
in relation
to our products.
4. Better results than
in 2015 certainly! To
attain a new record!
Baselworld is an
event no one in our
industry can afford to
miss. Success at this
trade fair is hugely
important, because all
the market players
are present, which
gives us a direct
measure of the success
of our products.
EUROPA STAR’S FOUR QUESTIONS
1. What are your predictions for 2016? Do you think that exports will recover, or will the markets stagnate or continue to decline after the slump we saw in 2015? And what do you think were the reasons for the downturn in 2015?
2. What are your priorities for the coming year: consolidating your existing markets, actively exploring new markets (if so, which), rationalising / consolidating / expanding your distribution network, launching new products, PR initiatives, etc.?
3. Over the longer term, do you believe that mechanical watchmaking will gradually die out, hybridise, or continue to occupy its own exclusive niche? Do you see the advent of smartwatches as a potential threat, or an opportunity for growth and diversification?
4. What exactly do you hope to achieve from your participation in Baselworld 2016? Do you feel your presence at the fair is essential to your business, or are such forums less important now than they were in the past?