‘Counterfeiting of Watches Widespread’

JEDDAH, 27 August 2006 — Swiss watch manufacturers and their local distributors said yesterday that the counterfeiting of watches was widespread, but it was not a big problem. “Stringent measures have however to be taken by both manufacturers and their distributors in cooperation with local authorities to curb the menace,” Dr. Ulrich Fischer, vice president sales of Swiss-based Tissot, told a press conference on the sidelines of the annual Al-Ghazali-Tissot exhibition at Jeddah InterContinental Hotel.

“Counterfeit products don’t pose a big problem for manufacturers like us who make watches for middle level consumers. “The problem faced by such manufacturers is minimized to an extent as their turnover is high and they come up with new, innovative products from time to time,” Fischer said, adding that wherever possible efforts are being made to tackle the problem legally.

“Even when taking legal measures what happens is when action is taken against one manufacturer, another springs up, so the task becomes difficult. However, we’re fighting against fake manufacturers together with other brands,” he added.

According to him, some manufacturers tend to take counterfeiting of their products as a compliment. “They believe that their brands are high in demand and that’s why counterfeiters imitate them,” he said.

Asked who is responsible for protecting the established brands from counterfeit products, Fischer said: “As manufacturers, it’s our responsibility, but we need the support of local agents who with the cooperation of authorities can track and catch the culprits. However, 100 percent protection of brands from counterfeiting is not possible.”

“Ten years ago, we did not have this problem (counterfeiting), but today we (Tissot) have become a global player so the manufacturers of fake watches want to cash in on our success,” he said. Tissot has reported a 13 percent increase in sales and 23 percent rise in profit in the first half of 2006 over the same period last year. “We’re quite optimistic and expect a 70 percent increase in our turnover in 2006 over 2005,” he said.

Earlier, speaking at a dealers’ convention Fischer said Tissot, as the official timekeeper for the 15th Asian Games scheduled in Doha this year, was launching five commemorative watches. They include T-Touch Asian Games, one of the most innovative watches of its time due to its touch-driven technology; T-Race Asian Games, a high-tech sport swatch in which Tissot’s attention to details is evident both in the design and materials used; and PRC100 Asian Games, a precise, robust and classic piece with its 12-sided polished bezel combining classic elegance with a strong contemporary design.

Abdullatif Mohammed Al-Abdullatif, executive director of Al-Ghazali Trading Company, detailed the progress of the company’s distribution network and said Tissot sales had maintained a steady rise over the years. Tissot, a Swiss watchmaker since 1853, is a long-time supporter of the Asian Games, having been the official timekeeper for Busan 2002 and Bangkok 1998, in conjunction with it sister company Longines.

Leading businessman Wahib Binzagr opened an exhibition of the latest range of Tissot watches representing ‘Gold value at silver price’ and a Certina sport collection. Certina is the sport watch brand of the Swatch Group, which has been practicing the art of watch making since 1888.