Swiss watch companies - Hublot, Tag Heuer and Swatch - not worried yield Apple Watch.According to them, the new American corporation will soon sink into oblivion.
President of Hublot, Jean-Claude Biver said not watch American company revolutionary product. In an interview with the magazine Bilan, he noted that "luxury - is eternal, it is not comparable with the things that will be worth nothing in five years".
Apple expands the scope of the pre-established in the market of media players, smartphones and tablets. About Apple Watch Apple CEO Tim Cook noted that this product will open a new chapter in the history of the company. What else did they say about the new product Swiss watchmakers?
Jean-Claude Biver, without equivocation admitted that he "expected more and a little disappointed" as the clock Apple Watch, in his view, look too feminine and not quite finalized.
Chief Tag Heuer - from Apple lured commercial director two months before the release of new items - Stefan Linder surprised that the manufacturer primarily emphasized the sporting aspect of its products, as these features are already in the previously released by other companies "smart" clock. "Sports" hours - that they can monitor the heart rate of the owner, his or her physical activity and count calories burned during the day.
"Now, probably, there will be a variety of applications for Apple Watch" - said Stefan Linder, noting that will not leave them unattended. Also it does not hide the fact that one can afford to buy a copy of the transatlantic creation: "Try to reproach them for a while. Not long, just to understand the features". Chapter Tag Heuer added that today, watches from Apple - first microcomputer, and fans want to buy expensive watches, luxury goods, to emphasize their status. Watches cost from 1,000 to 7,000 francs already a lot of talk about the income of the owner, and in fact there is a Tag Heuer model at a price above 200,000 francs.
Do not worry about the fate of the Swiss watch is not only the producer, but also representatives of other spheres. Manager of men's fashion, Jerome Block, said that it is a different product categories. In his opinion, to compare the novelty Apple with Swiss clock - it's like comparing a Mini Cooper with a supercar from Aston Martin.
However, watch the Californian company is still able to deliver some troubles Swiss producers.Bank Vontobel analyst Zurich Rene Weber stressed that the threat of competition is likely to endanger the mechanical clock, the price of which does not exceed one thousand francs.
For his part, CEO of Swatch Group Nick Hayek said in an interview with Tages-Anzeiger: «We did not feel at a disadvantage."
Ironically, the company Tissot (which is part of Swatch Group) inaugurated the watch shop in New York, September 9 - that is, at the same time, Apple introduced his watch. According to experts, Apple Watch can oust primarily products Tissot, as opponents are about the same price category.