Keeping Pace with Changing Times- Part III
Over the decades, luxury watch brands have slowly but firmly entrenched themselves into India’s watch industry and today there is thriving market for brands which once upon a time were the preserve of a select, jet setting few. Luxury watch stores have sprung up as a consequence in most metros, which offer almost all the premium brands that the world has to offer, including some of the most sought-after Swiss brands. As the demand for these brands grow, we bring you viewpoints of few top retailers and their offerings to India’s luxury watch market.
Johnson Watch Co
Founded by brothers A L Madan and U C Madan in 1950, Johnson Watch Co started off as a small venture in New Delhi’s Connaught Place and was the first company to bring international luxury Swiss brands to the country.
Capturing the market through global appeal in the showrooms, while showcasing some of the finest brands, it has grown to be the largest luxury watch retailer in Delhi, offering some 25+ international brands.
Currently, Johnson Watch Co is run by the third generation of the Madans—Manish Madan and Ankit Madan. In 2004, the store introduced the boutique concept that resulted in an array of international brands launching their limited collections to the Indian audience through exclusive boutique stores. Johnson Watch Co’s portfolio includes top brands like Breguet, Chopard, Bvlgari, Hublot, Ulysse Nardin, Girard Perregaux, Breitling, Omega, Longines, Rado, Tag Heuer and Mont Blanc to name a few. Besides its multi-brand stores, the firm also has exclusive brand boutique stores. Most of Johnson Watch Co’s offerings include models launched at BaselWorld and SIHH watch shows in Switzerland. As for India-specific models, most brands can customise watches for the Indian market, but then, of course, these come at a higher price, an example being Blancpain Ganesha watch.
Talking about trends, the future of luxury watches seem bright given the fact that watches are no longer used for time only, but have become a fashion statement, and in some cases, a piece of jewellery as well. For the upcoming wedding season, for brides, Johnson Watch Co recommends offerings from Chopard under the L’Heure Du Diamant collection; from Breguet under the Reine De Naples collection; from Bvlgari under the Serpenti collection; from Ulysse Nardin under the Classico Jade collection; and from Omega under the Constellation collection. For grooms, it has models from Chopard’s LUC collection, from Breguet’s Marine and Tradition collections, from Girard Perregaux’s Laureato collection and Hublot’s Classic Fusion collection.
