Not just India but the world at
large considers Vacheron Constantin
as makers of quality
watches.
Thank you. We’re a global
brand in a global market. We have
the same strategy for different markets,
be it India, China, America or
Europe. We will enter India with
the best products, unlike other
brands, which have different products
for different markets. We believe
that the customer appreciates
transparency and sincerity. Secondly,
it is important to find
watches at appropriate locations.
That’s why we have a boutique in
Delhi. Not only that, we have one
point of after-sales service too. We
believe that it’s of utmost importance
to first secure the after-sales
service. We have our own aftersales
service in Mumbai and next
year we will open a point of service
in Delhi. The strategy is to focus
on our existing customers before
we serve our future customers.
How do you address the issue
of having a wide range of
products?
Last year, it was the year of
Quai de l'ile and extremely high
jewellery pieces like |
Lady Kalla.
This year the story has been in
three lines, Métiers d'Art, the extraflat,
and two very nice calibres in
high complications. The Métiers
d'Art Collection this year uses
Japanese lacquer technique, known
as maki-e. The La Symbolique des
Laques theme will change over a
period of three years, with each
year bringing a new set of three
watches in a limited series of
twenty. Our job is to offer connoisseurs
our huge range of products.
We’re more than 250 years old
and are obliged to offer whatever
the customer wants! We are in the
process of building up a bigger
product range.
Extra-flat has always been
an intrinsic part of Vacheron
Constantin’s DNA…
Yes, it’s very natural. And to
maintain the same level of service
and quality, you just can’t afford to
have fantastic quality on high complications
alone. You also need
quality on the automatic and manual ones. We’ve built the Historique
Ultra-fine 1955 movement in
gold now and hence gained some
millimetres. The former one was
4.3 mm, now it is 4.1 mm! It is equipped |
with the 1.64 mm thick
mechanical hand-wound 1003
movement, rebuilt this year on its
55th anniversary.
And what about the high-complications
this year?
Yes, we have two new calibres
– 2755 and 2253. Calibre 2253
gives you the sunrise/sunset details.
We all know that we can adjust the
components according to where
we live. But now, it’s not just the
city, we can adjust it to the precise
location. It’ll give exact information
for sunrise /sunset. And that’s
incredible, as the movement has
two weeks of power reserve! That
sets it aside as one of the key
launches in this year’s fair.
How do you see this year shaping
up?
I think that this year would be
tough for the suppliers. And some
brands will have problems, as their
suppliers are affected. |
