As usual, the trend of watch this year will be determined by two important exhibitions in Switzerland: SIHH (Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie) in 2010 which was held in Geneva, 18-22 January, and the Baselworld 2010, up coming 18-25 March in Basel. However, the matter of the trend seems to be the second business this year after the global monetary crisis since 2008.
Watch sales decreased due to the global monetary crisis. The data showed Swiss watch exports fell from 19 million units (2008) to 14 million units (2009) in January-September period. Take the example the most sold brand in the world today, Rolex, the exports value fell 42.3 percent in 2009 to almost 3 billion U.S. dollars.
Moreover, the retail price Rolex since 2006 have gone up 13-20 percent, which drastically reduces the purchasing power of middle-class consumers affected by the global financial crisis. Take the example of the Rolex Steel Mariner sold, retail price has gone up from about 1,000 U.S. dollars to 6000 U.S. dollars.
Fortunately, Asia as the second largest market in the world after the United States expected to begin recovering this year. Asia, with Hong Kong as its center, a market which imports 30 percent of Swiss watch. Besides Hong Kong, the estimated market potential will increase this year was Shanghai and Singapore.
Rolex, the brand most widely faked it, this year will continue to focus sales in Asia which is the biggest market. Innovation watch one of the most diverse variants is increasing the size of the tub (dial) becomes bigger than usual (oversized) to 41 millimeters (mm) from their conventional size 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, watch trends in diameter between 40 mm and 50 mm would last long, for women can even reach more than 50 mm, such as a brave Panerai to 52 mm.
Why like a big trend? One reason, he could use the small sleeve, medium, or large. With the overall design concept is compelling, the watch looks like a potentially huge male (macho) in various sizes arms.
The concept design includes colors like black or gray or white. The rope should be replaceable (chain, rubber, and leather), Arabic numbers or Roman bookmarks, and so on. Of the more manly impression subtly if the tub is not “busy” (busy dial), calendar, and with the engine (movement) automatically. “Do not forget, watch with no automatic, if a sophisticated engine, collector will like more,” said Pieter.
In other words looks intact male watches represent simplicity and solid elements. Your small sleeved need not have worried looks awkward with a large tub and watch the big sleeves became more masculine. As the saying goes, “Size is everything.” Size is everything.
“Not that small tub or are not a trend anymore. Many Western men are also less like a big bathtub, instead of women from almost all the major watch liked, “said Pieter. Character of a unisex bath that makes women, for example, even more elegantly dressed man-hour, white Panerai Bezel 42 mm size.
Talk big tub was Panerai talk, watch a home-made Italian-frogmen used muasalnya spaghetti country in the early 20th century. Since at least five years ago, Panerai has pioneered a large tub of very popular and often disappear from the market and make prices soar.
Panerai release 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, there are brands that following the Panerai and sell 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 high-tech watches for divers. U-boat boasted an option on foreign navy, using circular tub U2 (bezel) steel submarine. With high technology, the function turned into an instrument watch.
There are thousands of brand watch with “Swiss Made” certified quality as a guarantee of quality with various prices, ranging from the hundreds to thousand of dollars. The most important principle to follow the big bezel trend is adjust with your pocket because the main function of the watch is a timepiece.
