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No question, IWC is a strong brand
I think majority of the public looking for a watch, but doesn't want a Rolex, looks at IWC first so credits to them. It's interesting how different groups have their own way of running; perhaps leaving design with the brands themselves and creating an integrated overarching division responsible for all technical/mechanical developments can achieve the best of both worlds.
WatchProSite Interviews IWC CEO Christoph Grainger-Herr
WatchProSite Moderator Patrick_y interviews IWC CEO Christoph Grainger-Herr. Architects. There's something about architects that just make them an authority when it comes to design, proportions, and so on. If I boil all of that down, the statement I'd be ...
Thanks again for another insight into the
Leaders behind the IWC brand! I am not sure if you thought it would be appropriate but did you approach Sir Herr for a puristspro specially made Pilot for the members here? The faithful relationship-edition B-Uhr suggested by our Nico 🙂....below is one of...
Hmm... Maybe I'll propose that when I visit the factory!
That would definitely be a super cool idea. A B-Uhr inspired watch would definitely be nice. Although I'm not sure how big we can make it. The 46mm pilot might be too big for most, and the 39mm version that debuted in 2018 seems a little small to me. But ...
Interesting interview
It’s just that IWC has nice styles but every time I see one in the metal, I feel like it’s not good quality.
First time I read this. To me, IWC has always been good quality for the money
May I ask what you consider good quality? Which brand you compare IWC with?
IWC
What I mean by low quality is that sometimes the date is too recessed into the watch or the date window is too small or the case back doesn’t look like it flows with the rest of the watch. Sometimes the strap looks cheap. I compare IWC to Jaeger Le Coultr...
I can partly understand what you mean
They are good watches by any standard and are certainly engineered to work well. However, in terms of movement finishing, a watch from a brand such as JLC, GO , GP or Blancpain at the same price point as IWC will be better finished. IWC has a much bigger ...
Thank you for the fantastic interview Patrick
I agree with much of your interpretations. In many ways, I feel Richemont brands have become very corporate/lazy in R&D and I just don't see that strategy working in the long term especially in the luxury sector. One question that I would like to have ask...
They're all becoming lazy...
Richemont, Swatch, and LVMH... They all need to step up their game! Richemont brands have historically been somewhat separated when it comes to R&D. This means each brand is more individualistic (a positive) but it also means that there are inefficiencies...
No question, IWC is a strong brand
I think majority of the public looking for a watch, but doesn't want a Rolex, looks at IWC first so credits to them. It's interesting how different groups have their own way of running; perhaps leaving design with the brands themselves and creating an int...
Lazy? No, just short of care for No1
No1=Client NOT Money The groups, like Richemont for example have diamonds in their hands. Assets, brands with histories, designs, innovations etc, past and beyond any families owned businesses. For sure they are not ‘lazy’. They are all over working to pl...
This is very true...
Unfortunately, it also has to do with client generation changes and these companies know it well. Watch buyers and collectors of a different kind with different ideas about watch collecting. When I started, it was passion that brought me to collecting bec...
Very well stated.
I have a few that would never be mentioned or discussed on WPS but I still love wearing them.
Why thank you!
I'm glad you read the interview and commented! I really hope that IWC will do more activities with WatchProSite in the future!
Thank you very much!
Maybe we will get some sort of IWC activity on the calendar once the pandemic is over.
Thank you for the great interview! I liked your comments,
Particularly when it comes to the online sales business. Not many interesting answers expected here.
My impression is that they're still figuring out the details...
They're probably still figuring out the details. They're probably trying to figure out what will work for the customers first and after that's completed the brand will probably try to adapt the back of house and try to make everybody as happy as possible....
Thank you for this interesting read.
I met Christoph at Goodwood last year, and found him to be straightforward, insightful. He is also a devoted dad and a very gracious host! A credit to the brand . ...
He is indeed a proud father!
That's a great photo of him! Looks like he's on the set for a military airplane movie. I'd say "Top Gun" but the airplane in the background is not exactly a "Top Gun" plane. Thank you for sharing this photo. I like your photo more than the "official photo...
Thank you for a very informative interview
You've highlighted an important issue regarding marketing strategy given the multitude of outlets and platforms. ADs, brand only boutiques, e-commerce and pre-owned platforms, not to mention the grey market, is a difficult landscape to navigate.
You're absolutely right! We can only see in the future if the navigation was successful...
But I fear there will be a lot of collateral damage among retailers. Some will say retailers brought it upon themselves with high turnover of retail employees. Others will say retailers' incessant discounting forces a brand to ignore retailers (but many r...
Thank you for this interview and the interesting content.
Let's see if Mr. Mr. Christoph Grainger-Herr will manage to break the ice.
I definitely cannot disagree; I bet he is a cool guy! And it's definitely a fact that he's a young guy!
IWC has had many young leaders. Its founder was 27 or 28 when he founded IWC! And Jerome Lambert, another Richemont executive, was also extremely young when he was thrust into a major position.
I loved when Lambert was at the helm of JLC, from
What I could remember. I hope it turns out well for IWC.
I think he did a lot for JLC, but I wished there was more investment in the Reverso line...
And not the Squadra! That was not my favorite!
He probably was... I was really sad to see the departure of Eric Coudray.
Eric Coudray is the famous watchmaker who looks a little bit like "Hagrid" in Harry Potter. He is known for his contribution to designing striking watches and for the Gyrotourbillon. But somehow JLC let him leave. There may always be an underyling reason ...
I met Jerome on more than one occasion and he really knew how to pull JLC together...
And most of all, he listened to all the watch collectors and always tried to deliver as much as he could.
Thanks for a lively and informative piece Patrick! From this and other interviews I do like this gentleman, even though I don’t know him personally...he does have talent and drive.
A good part with lots of unexplored potential are frankly your rebuttals, it would be great if he follows up on them as well...It would have also been amazing as a taped interview/conversation, a totally different structure though..😉Thanks again for a sup...
Thank you FabR!
I hope that one day we do follow up with Christoph Grainger-Herr and evaluate the progression of his "Master Plan" and see what kind of revisions he's had to make. The world right now is incredibly dynamic, and even in slow-moving luxury goods companies w...
Yes! A lot of members here are hoping that IWC come out with a Genta-esque watch. I've been reminded to ask that question by at least three members here!
I kept on telling our members that the CEO can't comment on future product releases, since it's all a big secret. So I'm surprised with how revealing the CEO's answer is in this regard. I definitely have a lot of hope that they'll make a faithful recreati...
Very interesting read, Patrick, thanks for that
Now, when it comes to Christoph Grainger-Herr, what I really like about him is that he is not George Kern.
Thanks for reading and commenting Boris!
Thanks for reading! I didn't really know George Kern at all, so I cannot comment.
Breitling
Kern has gone to Breitling. He has cut the wings of Breitling, to put Breitling more away from aviation, and wanted to make Breitling more general. Not all watches lose the wing logo. But a strange decision. Can you imagine, Rolex decide to delete their c...
Much work
You did a big job. For us. I understand that it is very important for IWC to go digital to retail IWC time peaces. The pandemic worldwide, it is important to reach customers by e-boutiques. About the IWC forum, IWC do. I receive their newsletter sometimes...
Configurator
Where is the configurator he discussed on the IWC page? I have been on their page many times and do not recall seeing it. Anyone have the link? Thanks
Oh no! It looks shut down!
www.iwc.com There's a hyperlink to the configurator at the end and it looks non-functional! I hope this is temporary! There have been production interruptions due to the virus.
