WORLDTEMPUS - 10 January 2013
Marie de Pimodan-Bugnon
Informed enthusiasts and unconditional connoisseurs of unexpected new releases will be able to keep their travel time to a minimum during Geneva's famous “wonder week”. In addition to its new central location, the fourth edition of the Geneva Time Exhibition held this year in the magnificent Bâtiment des Forces Motrices already looks set to offer a top-rate overview of contemporary independent watchmaking, notably featuring the presence of young niche brands such as Speake-Marin and Antoine Martin.
The latter, which delivered its very first watches in April 2012, after two and a half years of development, is taking part in the GTE for the second time. The intent is to develop its distribution network – an indispensable prerequisite if it is to double its turnover by 2013. “In 2012, we produced around 50 watches”, said brand CEO Bruno Jufer. “This year, we are launching a new collection with a range-entry price of 15 to 20 thousand euros. The goal is to produce around one hundred.” For the time being, Antoine Martin is distributed through ten carefully selected points of sale. And the watch fairs, also selected by the brand for their reputation and the quality of their services, are a mandatory exercise in light of these development prospects. As Bruno Jufer points out: “For the time being, we don't have a budget for communication, which is why such events are the main means of establishing contact with retailers.” He also believes the GTE has certain significant assets: the fact that the SIHH is held at the same time is undeniably a key factor in its success, as is the participation this year of numerous prestigious brands that are hoping to make the most of their synergies.
Speake-Marin appreciates the Geneva Time Exhibition for the same reasons - compounded in the view of Peter Speake-Marin, founder and CEO of the eponymous brand, by the extremely late date for Baselworld in 2013. “It makes the GTE even more worthwhile”, he stated, “and I think it will become increasingly so in the future. I have the feeling that 2013 heralds a new momentum with more participants and greater quality in this beautiful exhibition location, for all the companies that have survived the crisis.” The watch brand fully intends to make the most of the GTE in the future. After a particularly prosperous year 2011 in terms of sales, 2012 enabled Speake-Marin to put the finishing touches to the foundations of its collection. “We have revisited and redesigned the best of the Speake-Marin watches from the past few years”, explained the CEO. “People will at last be able to discover the entire collection.” A first-time showing to be enjoyed at the GTE!
