by John Sealander  

Gevril Group Brands in Spotlight at World’s
Largest International Timepiece Event

According to industry insider and Gevril USA President Samuel Friedmann, the 2015 Hong Kong Watch and Clock Fair was the best he has ever attended. Friedmann considers the prestigious fair a must-attend event, adding that this year some of his own brands were in the spotlight.

For 34 years, the prestigious international watch and clock fair has continued to grow in importance, becoming an essential destination for buyers, sellers, and industry experts. The Hong Kong Watch and Clock Fair is now the largest event of its kind in the world, with over 780 exhibitors from 23 different countries. Asian markets have become so important in recent years that famous brands like Gevril Group’s own Versus Versace are choosing to launch their latest products at the annual fair.

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Versus Versace was one of four international brands that had the opportunity to launch new products on opening day of the watch show. The high profile product launch was well received according to Mr. Friedmann, and was the perfect way to kick off an exciting five-day event.

This year’s Watch and Clock Fair attendees enjoyed daily watch parades and informative seminars designed to focus attention on the latest trends in the watch industry. Switzerland’s watchmaking expertise was featured at two all new pavilions this year, while a special “Wearable Tech Zone” featured the industry’s latest technological innovations. Even the general public got a chance to enjoy the show during a special “Super Saturday” on September 12 which featured lavish parades, celebrity events, and drawings for new watches.

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With a record $10.8 billion in imports and $10.3 billion in exports in 2014, Hong Kong has become the world’s largest importer of complete watches by value and the second-largest exporter of complete watches and clocks. It is also becoming the place where the watch world sources parts and materials.

It’s no surprise that the Hong Kong Watch and Clock Fair now rivals the iconic Baselworld Fair in Switzerland. Samuel Friedmann says he’ll probably be back again next year.

About Gevril Group

Gevril Group, watchmaker and wholesale watch distributor, is the exclusive U.S. agent for exquisitely designed and crafted European luxury and fashion watch brands, distributing and servicing some of the best affordable luxury and Swiss watches and trendy fashion watches. Gevril Group also operates a full-service watch repair, staffed by master Swiss watchmakers. Contact Gevril Group by email or by calling 845-425-9882.

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This year’s watch show, which took place from September 7-11, was the largest ever for the 30-year-old event. Over 700 exhibitors from 14 countries were represented, including Gevril friend Haurex Italia, producer of high quality wristwatches with innovative design and materials that are always in line with the latest fashion trends.

The Brand Name Gallery, a highlight of the fair, featured 110 top quality brands from all around the world. Nearly 17,000 buyers participated in this year’s show, viewing watches on display from Hong Kong, Mainland China, France, Germany, Israel, Italy, Japan, Korea, the Netherlands, Switzerland, UAE, UK and the United States.

Visitors commented that the Hong Kong Watch and Clock Fair was much more casual than similar trade fairs in other parts of the world. It was easy to network and make contacts with suppliers and potential buyers, with many cocktail parties throughout the event along with the popular Wine Cellar located in the event’s prestigious Grand Hall.

Customers will typically leave flowers and even elaborate fruit baskets at the booths of brands they like during the show. This tradition goes back to early Watch and Clock Fairs and all exhibitors seem to enjoy receiving these beautiful gifts.

Walking from booth to booth, it is easy to determine the brands that are the most popular because of the bouquets adorning their booths.

The flowers reminded one Gevril Group representative of the “likes” brands receive on Facebook.

The importance of fashion in the watch industry was one of the big themes of this year’s show and a public session talk entitled “Crossover between Watches and Fashion” by fashion expert and model Christie Wo was well attended. Renowned watch critic and columnist Simon Shia also gave a popular talk about the “Finest Watches to Watch.”

Hong Kong is already the world’s second largest watch and clock exporter, with over $3.2 billion in sales during the first five months of 2011 alone. With exports to the Chinese mainland rising at a rate of 27% a year, Asian demand for luxury watches is expected to grow dramatically in the years ahead. Some people already consider the Hong Kong Watch and Clock Fair the world’s largest timepiece event. Since popular Gevril brands like Eterna already have strong ties to China, this is an event that will be important to the Gevril Group in the year’s ahead.

About Gevril Group

Gevril Group is the sole US agent for Haurex Watches. Meet us March 8-15, 2012 to view the fashion-forward Haurex exhibit at Baselworld 2012, Hall 2.0, Booth C-70. Contact us by email or at 845-425-9882.

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