— I have great respect for the ones who can succeed, staying open year after year – they are rare treasures, indeed.

I have a tremendous amount of respect for independent, authorized retailers. They face tough challenges, and in many ways the deck is stacked against them.

First off is the high cost of doing business. The best brands want to be in the best locations, so independent retailers who want to succeed have to be in the right part of town like Beverly Hills’ Rodeo Drive, Geneva’s Rue du Rhone, Tokyo’s Ginza and Shanghai’s Nanjing Road, — some of the most expensive real estate on the planet. Once they have the store space, the store environment has to match the level of the brands carried, which isn’t cheap either. Then, the stores have to buy the product, a significant investment with no guarantee of a return. Finally, factor in the overheads — rent, staff salaries, utilities, training and more. The cost of all this is astronomical, putting a huge burden on retailers to do just about anything they can to turn a profit.

The Kirchhofer boutique in Interlaken, Switzerland. DR

It’s not easy to keep up with all that is going on within the watch industry. There are new brands, watches, partnerships, initiatives and much more. Trying to keep it all straight is very hard, while communicating this to the sales staff is yet another challenge.

In addition, each independent retailer has a stable of brands to support, with all their programs and events. Every brand they carry puts pressure on the retailers to focus on their product, promote their Omega replica watches and… SELL.

Moreover, these stores don’t exist in a vacuum. There is direct competition from other watch retailers, both at home and abroad, brick and mortar and on-line, as well as indirect competition from every other discretionary spending category — such as vacations, cars, clothing, accessories and entertainment, to name but a few. All of these compete for the same portion of the dollar as Swiss Replica Watches retailers do.

Add to this the internet sellers, peddling non-authorized watches, grey market goods, counterfeits and second-hand Replica Watches UKat significant discounts compared to authorized retailers.

Levinson Jewelers in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. DR

Honestly, being an independent, authorized retailer is a minefield today. I have great respect for the ones who can succeed, staying open year after year – they are rare treasures, indeed.

I recently talked to an independent retailer in Nigeria, whose biggest competition is “suitcase sellers”, people who go door to door with suitcases filled with watches. These can be new, used, grey market, counterfeit or stolen pieces — there is no way to know. But, these salesmen have been selling successfully in Nigeria for decades. This retailer, Zakaa, who currently has three stores, is trying to change the purchasing culture, with a great deal of success so far.

A growing trend I have talked about in a previous Rant is the threat of the brand boutiques competing directly with the independent retailer. Many retailers who have been carrying Brand X for decades get closed by these same brands when they open their boutiques.

Les Ambassadeurs boutique in Geneva, Switzerland. DR

In order to gain an advantage in today’s increasingly competitive watch world, some retailers have decided to focus on new, independent brands with interesting, creative products. This isn’t without risk, as some of these new brands don’t succeed despite everyone’s best efforts and go out of business, leaving the independent retailer holding the bag. Imagine trying to sell Replica Watches when the customers know that the company is out of business!

In general, independent, authorized retailers around the world are passionate about watches, and they have such a difficult task staying afloat that they truly deserve the support of watch lovers. Without the independent retailer, the UK Replica Watches landscape would be barren, indeed, so when you have the chance, please support your friendly, local, authorized retailer.

— Four De Bethune timepieces are taking part in the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève 2013 rolex replica.

The four Omega Replica watches De Bethune had submitted this spring to the GPHG have successfully gone through the pre-selections. Thus the DB25 Imperial Fountain (Artistic Crafts Watch category), the DB16 Perpetual  Calendar Tourbillon (Grande Complication), the DB28 Skybridge (Men’s Complication Watch )  and the DB28T Jewellery (Jewellery Replica Watches UK) are taking part in the final competititon. The winners will be chosen on November 15th, 2013, during the GPHG prize-giving ceremony.

Net surfers can take part in the Prix du Public by voting for their favourite Replica Watches. To vote for De Bethune timepieces, click here.

DB25 Imperial Fountain

DB25 Imperial Fountain. © DeBethune

La DB25 Imperial Fountain est un set de 12 pièces d’art représentant chacune un des animaux du zodiaque chinois. Les cadrans en or massif sont décorés de symboles d’animaux du zodiaque chinois gravés à la main selon une libre interprétation des têtes de bronze entourant la fontaine de l’ancien Palais d’été, située dans le jardin du Yuanming Yuan près de Pékin (Beijing) en Chine. Chaque cadran porte en son centre le bas-relief d’un signe zodiacal décoré d’un email Grand Feu, réalisé par l’artiste Michèle Rothen.

Le nouveau calibre DB2145, un mécanisme d’affichage circonférentiel a été créé exclusivement pour affranchir de toute mécanique le centre du mouvement. Les fonctions heures et minutes ainsi portées en périphérie ont exigé le développement de micro-roulements parfaitement équilibrés ainsi que la mise au point d’un profil de denture spécifique au niveau de la transmission des disques soutenant les aiguilles.

DB16 Quantième Perpétuel Tourbillon

DB16 Quantième Perpétuel © DeBethune

La DB16 Quantième Perpétuel affiche une liste de fonctions impressionnantes: heures, minutes, secondes sautantes au centre, date à 6h, calendrier perpétuel indiquant le jour à 9h et le mois à 3h, indication des phases de lune sphérique et des années bissextiles à 12h, tourbillon avec indication de la seconde sur 30», indication de puissance et indication de l’âge de la Lune.

C’est le mouvement DB2509 qui permet ces prouesses. Il est construit autour d’un tourbillon 30” en silicium et titane, battant a 36 000 A/h, l’un des plus rapides et le plus léger de l’horlogerie, dont les 57 composants ne pèsent que 0,18g.  Le mécanisme de la seconde sautante est formé d’une double ancre à quatre palettes pour orchestrer deux roues en or rythmant le temps avec noblesse.

Sur le cadran à la sobriété classique, la lecture du quantième perpétuel et des phases de lune est sublimée par le guillochage argenté propre à la Manufacture. Le boîtier de 43mm est en or rose. Le dos de la montre est ouvert; on y aperçoit le tourbillon, le mécanisme des secondes sautantes au centre, l’indicateur rétrograde de l’âge de la lune sur cadran à secteur et l’indicateur de puissance.

DB28 Skybridge

DB28 Skybridge © DeBethune

La DB28 Skybridge affiche son inspiration classique avec sa forme ronde, sa couronne à 12h et son dos savonnette emprunté aux montres de gousset. Mais son boîtier ultra léger en titane poli miroir muni de ses berceaux mobiles affirme pourtant le caractère moderne et futuriste de la collection.

Le cadran en titane grade 5 poli miroir bleui, incrusté d’étoiles en or gris et diamants, représente un ciel étoilé. L’indication de la phase de lune sphérique est située à 12h.

La montre est animée par le mouvement mécanique à remontage manuel DB2105, offrant ue réserve de marche de 6 jours.

DB28T Joaillerie

DB28T Joaillerie © DeBethune

Le boîtier de 42.60 mm de la DB28T Joaillerie est en titane grade 5. Il est serti de 239 diamants baguettes et de 535 diamants ronds, totalisant 6.02 carats.

La montre affiche heures, minutes, réserve de marche (120h) et tourbillon grâce au calibre DB 2019, un mouvement mécanique à remontage manuel.

Le cadran en titane poli miroir bleui, incrusté d’étoiles en or gris et diamant, représente un ciel étoilé. L’anneau des heures en titane est serti de diamants, les index des heures sont des saphirs cabochon.

replica rolex

Earl in the Swiss Jura mountains La Cote-aux-Fées 110 years after its establishment, has been with the production of precision durable, punctual and reliable movement , gain recognition. Finally in 1957, Piaget introduced the world’s rare 2 mm ultra-thin hand-wound mechanical movement – 9P movement. Since then, the “thin” has become synonymous with the count.

IWC AAA Cheap Replica Watches UK – Swiss Made

And naturally engrossed in studying Earl and innovative ultra-thin movement, becoming an expert in the field and leading brands. According to statistics, the count senior bell table factory produced 35 movement, a total of 23 are ultra-thin movement, gathered in a variety of styles and functions.

Throughout the entire watch industry, only a few well-known brands to its own watch factory’s power alone, alone to complete the design, R & D, to the last modification of each step, the count even one. It’s annual production of 25,000 almost constant number of high watchmaking and jewelery kept watch closely integrated special status.

Piaget China CEO Thomas Bouillonnec (Murong Tao), “said Earl’s identity from the watch factory, it is very average annual tabulation process, but also a normal cycle, we are not to do any activity table . ”

Piaget watches jewelry faster than

Count to a model for ultra-thin movement 9P as an opportunity on the basis of a variety of hard stone mosaic and precious stones, lending a case, dial or bracelet, watch as the fine art of Pierre, now As have been a handful of gems and fine jewelry department Mania brand. According to statistics, the count in Geneva has one the largest workshop, in which the Earl of gems by masters produced inlaid precious stones and has more than three million.

Gradually jewelry and jewelry watches became Count another important product line. Although Earl started to watch, but now the count has exceeded sales of jewelry watches. The main reason is to explore its market promotion and advertising delivery.

Count on farming in the movie marketing has long, following three consecutive years to support the Hong Kong Film Awards Presentation Ceremony and other international film event, this year released popular film “Beijing encounter Seattle,” Earl is watch the film and Jewelry exclusive sponsorship.

In the movie, whether it is the gate count of the scene shop or soup only pick jewelery shop in Earl’s picture is still smarting. The pursuit of luxury living heroine wearing Piaget diamond earrings and Piaget Rose Limelight Magic Hour watch, etc., and later turns appearing Piaget Possession necklaces, watches and Piaget Heart Earl accessories such elegant simplicity, let the high and low end product line has been fully demonstrated.

Bouillonnec told financial weekly newspaper reporter: “Count on the jewelry and watches are quite competitive, of course, we did recently stepped up promotion in the field of jewelry not only the placement into the” Beijing encounter Seattle “Such selling movies , it is also to increase the count ads in the media, but in fact, many of us are just one part of the project. ”

As presented in the movie, the count started from fine jewelry to jewelry has a simple and elegant style, product lines distributed more widely. Plus women for jewelry infinite desire and pursuit also contributed to the rapid rise of Piaget jewelry.

Bouillonnec said: “We are the watch and jewelery industry will combine these two areas complement each other in such a leader. Earl in these two areas are on the rise, just that in the jewelry field, we see the growth in leaps and bounds , the growth will be more rapid, but the watch also has a relatively stable growth. ”

It is undeniable that the growth of jewelry watches to benefit from the count in this area has long been a firm foothold in this context, the count have a relatively big budget, will be more budget on jewelry top. Bouillonnec admits: “Although Piaget jewelry has a very good reputation, growth is also very optimistic, but the impact of Piaget jewelry is much inferior to watch, so I think the count field of jewelry is a great potential.”

Strong Chinese elements

For all the luxuries speaking, China’s market potential is beyond doubt. Piaget has always attached great importance to the Chinese market, such as Earl had specifically to launch Dragon Dragon themed watches, of course, is the Chinese Year of the Dragon watch team source of inspiration.

Bouillonnec told reporters: “The count that Dragon is a great element of space to play, so we took advantage of this opportunity for Chinese Year of the Dragon, with the dragon and phoenix theme of the Earl of such ownership characteristics of the table once unfolded.”

So we will see Dragon series painted enamel, golden eagle, diamonds, and other 40 Tourbillon Dragon variety of different elements appear in the eyes of consumers. Store opened in Xi’an also demonstrated live Earl specially presented Xi’an Pierre watch – Piaget Polo Tourbillon Relatif. Not only is the city of history and culture of dialogue, it is the source of much heritage qincheng tribute.

In addition, the selection of Chinese luxury brand ambassador has become a star as a “ground gas” the pack. Earl picked a heavyweight spokesperson – Gong Li.

Her low visibility in the fashion and show business are legendary inside, she is only one year boarded a fashion magazine cover artist, in the election drama is also very picky. But she is always in the film has an irreplaceable position.

Bouillonnec said: “Gong Li’s beautiful, feminine, and very charismatic personality makes me think she is very similar with Earl. Earl of a small amount of annual output of high-quality insisted she agreed to become the spokesman for the count.”

Earl has also repeatedly stressed that, despite high watchmaking to enter the Chinese market relatively late, but they found that Chinese consumers are “knowledgeable”, and they know the count in the 140-year history has always insisted that all parts self-sufficiency, they also know that such historical heritage of the brand will stick down noble quality. Thomas Bouillonnec explained: “We will not put any risk on any person, so that we can guarantee to give to the consumer the best product and this is subject to Chinese consumers trust and love of reason.”

Thomas Bouillonnec said: “We also believe that this trend will continue to rise, we will continue in China and Asian markets make an effort.”

Dialogue

Piaget China CEO Thomas Bouillonnec

Brand synonymous: three asked the table and Limelight Gala Series

M = Moneyweek

T = Thomas Bouillonnec

M: Master enamel Earl came specifically for Anita, Anita cooperation with the progress of the watch?

T: We collaborate with her for many years, she has said she is very willing to cooperate Earl is a brand because we give her more creative space. Better understanding of Anita’s people know that she is one of the best among the field of enamel paint, and enamel painting is actually an art, like painting, like the art of composition and technology components are equally high. While she is technically superb, but her aesthetically superior, so her temperament beauty sleep is very similar with the Count. Earl again she did, in cooperation Earl a series, produced as part of the enamel painted watch, she will continue to help us make better creations. And Anita is also very humble to say that everything is in order to protect and pass on enamel process.

M: What is expected to watch will shine?

T: the male form and female form separately said, Men of the table, although the three asked the table rarely, it is impossible to have turned into everyone watches, but watch the details among consumers seek. Ms. tables, Piaget jewelry watch will continue to shine. Limelight Gala series which we believe will be very popular with the guests loved her design, workmanship and are able to represent the mosaic Piaget jewelry table position. This table shape is also very representative, it is tempting one to remember it. For this series of female form, we hope consumers see the Gala will think of Earl, Earl would expect to see Gala, so Limelight Gala series will become the same as the brand synonymous with watches.

— Available in three versions, this timepiece displays a clear and visible big date and offers a contemporary baroque look. Let’s discover the pink gold model.

The de GRISOGONO in-house design team made number of changes to the Instrumento N° Uno DF XL from 2012 in order to achieve a new and unique contemporary baroque look. The result is a versatile replica watches UK intended to be worn on every occasion. The tonneau shaped case now frames a new and beautifully finished dial with a classical Clou de Paris Guilloche pattern.

de GRISOGONO´s compelling functional and easy to read big date display is presented at six o´clock and is one of the biggest in the market. The new and improved version debuting with the Uno Big Date is clear, easy to read and functional. Together with the Superluminova covered dauphine hands and indexes, the dial uses several materials that bring out distinct shades on the dial.

The De Grisogono in-house designers have made more changes to the case of the Rolex replica watches: a new crown and lugs that now include a patented adjustable system for improved comfort on the wrist.

Instrumento N° Uno Big Date © De Grisogono

The Instrumento N. Uno Big Date is driven by a new version of the mechanical DG 15-89 caliber with automatic winding, 42 hours of power reserve, hours, minutes and big date functions. Easily admired through the generous sapphire crystal set in the case back, caliber GD 15-89 features 22 rubies and a decorated blackened movement with the exquisite high grade finishing characteristic of the de Grisogono manufacture.

The new timepieces are presented in a 57.51 x 44.15mm tonneau shaped case with a complex architecture mixing several materials. Three versions are available in a choice of polished pink gold and matt brown PVD coated titanium, satin polished white gold and matt black PVD coated titanium, and matt and shiny black PVD coated white gold and titanium, each with matching alligator bracelet.