
As always, watch this year’s trends will be determined by two important exhibitions in Switzerland: SIHH (Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie) in 2010 which has taken place in Geneva, January 18 to 22 then, and the Baselworld 2010, the next 18 to 25 March in Basel.
However, the problem seems to be the trend this year after the affairs of the number two global monetary crisis since 2008. Watch sales declined due to the monetary crisis (monetary crisis) that global. Data showing the Swiss watch exports fall from 19 million units (2008) to 14 million units (2009) in January-September period. Take the example of top selling brands in the world today, Rolex, the value of exports fell 42.3 percent in 2009 to nearly 3 billion U.S. dollars.
Moreover, the retail price of a Rolex since 2006 have gone up 13-20 percent, which drastically reduces the purchasing power of middle-class consumers affected by the global monetary crisis. Take the example of a best-selling Rolex Steel Mariner sweet, retail prices have gone up from around 1000 dollars to 6000 dollars.
Fortunately, Asia as the world’s second biggest market after the United States is expected to begin recovering this year. Asia, with Hong Kong as its center, a market which imports 30 percent of Swiss watches. Besides Hong Kong, estimated market potential will increase this year is Shanghai and Singapore.
Rolex, the brand most widely counterfeited, this year will continue to focus sales in Asia, which is its biggest market. One of the most diverse watch innovation variant that is to enlarge the size of tub (dial) to be larger than usual (oversized) to 41 millimeters (mm) from their conventional sizes below 40 mm.
“Oversized Era has just begun and many products that take advantage of this trend, including Rolex,” said an expert on watches, Pieter Santoso, last week. According to him, watches trends in diameter between 40 mm and 50 mm would last a long time for women-even could reach more than 50 mm, such as Panerai who dares to 52 mm.
Why big trend bathtub? One reason, he could have used the sleeves of small, medium, or large. With the overall design concept is appealing, the watch looks like a potentially large male (macho) in a variety of arm sizes. The design concept was included color like black or gray or white. The rope should be replaceable (chain, rubber and leather), Arabic or Roman numbers pointer, and so on. Of the more manly impression subtly if the vessel is not “busy” (busy dial), a calendar, and with the engine (movement) automatically. “Do not forget, the watch is not automatic, if a sophisticated engine, the more desirable collector,”.
In other words looks intact male watches represent the element of simplicity as well as sturdy. That you should not worry small-sleeved looked awkward with a large tub and watch the big sleeves became increasingly male. As the saying goes, “Size is everything”.
“It’s not that small or medium tanks did not become a trend again. Many Western men are also less like a big bathtub, instead of women from virtually all walks likes a big watch, “said Pieter. Large tanks unisex character is what makes women, for example, was even more elegant man wearing a clock, a white Berbak Panerai 42 mm in size.
Talk big tub was Panerai speaking, Italian-made watches the origin of frogs used troops in the country’s early spaghetti-20th century. Since at least five years ago, Panerai became the pioneer of a very popular bathtub so often disappear from the market and make prices soar.
Panerai out various models based on two variants of its flagship, and Radiomir Luminor. Panerai-style revolution was followed by the classic brands such as Rolex, Omega, or TAG Heuer. In addition, the show also brands that follow in the footsteps Panerai and quite in demand in the market, such as U-boat (Italy) and U2.
Strong feature of the two brands that made this surprise is their association as a special high-tech watches for divers. U-boat navy boasted of choice in many countries, U2 utilize Tub Ring (bezel) steel submarine. With high technology, the watch changes to the instrument function.
There are thousands of brand-hour certified quality “Swiss Made” is a guarantee of quality at a price that is highly diverse. The most important principle to follow the big trend is to adjust the taste of bathtub with their money. Because regardless of your main function is to watch as timepiece.