JBB
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Bad sign
I used to read this forum some 15 years ago and just reacquainted myself with it.
I met Mr. Schynder in Silicon Valley where I live some years ago. While a bit quirky, it was clear he was a strong leader and had an unmistakable drive and vision. I also had some interactions with Mr. Hoffmann. He wasn't Rolf Schnyder, but seemed to be a good representative of his vision and the company.
This is not to say I think the U-N brand has done such wonderful things in the past several years. They used to put out uniformly beautiful, fascinating watches like the GMT Perpetual, Hourstriker, Trilogy, Freak, Jungle Repeater, to name a few. People I know who would only buy Patek bought some of these pieces.
Some of the offerings in the last ten years have made me scratch my head. Seemingly endless variations on the same handful of basic watches: perpetual, dual time and chronometer, some of which were bizarre (like the "Quadrato"). I think this company grew too much, too fast and didn't keep up the quality. The company grew from thirty or so people to probably 500 in ten years.
I read in another article their marketing leader also stepped down with Mr. Hoffmann. I think it's a mistake to acquire a company and disassociate with the people who built it. This happens in tech all the time, usually with bad results.
I don't think this is a good sign for this brand. I think Rolf Schnyder was in his own way a bit like Steve Jobs was for Apple. But unlike Apple, U-N did not become so dominant that the company can easily continue on without him. If I had bought this company, I would want to keep the people who had learned from him as long as I possibly could.
BREAKING NEWS: Patrick Pruniaux is new CEO of Ulysse Nardin
Patrick Pruniaux will be the new Ulysse Nardin CEO effective August 28, 2018. Patrik Hoffmann will be stepping down for personal reasons to pursue other opportunities. To read the complete press release, please visit our News Central forum here: Cheers, ...
Another change which is a bit sad in my view.
I may be too nostalgic remembering the better days (IMO) for this Brand with Rolf, Pierre and Ludwig. Patrick H. seemed to be the last connection to the creative days of old. I bought many pieces in the past but little from UN us teased me for some years....
Ronald, can you cite any specific problems that have arisen since Kering Group bought UN?
I'm very curious to know what raises your concern. I would state I was "curious" when the brand was acquired by Kering, but I don't see any negative impact so far. When I met with UN representation a few months ago in Bermuda, I was told that the brand co...
Nothing specific. As long as Patrik Hoffman was there, I had confidence that UN would maintain...
It's current course. With an external CEO, I think Kering is trying to Xterra new course, potentially an unfavorable one
Thanks for your reply. Honestly, I'm not sure sure a new voice and direction are bad things.
Aside from the new 5 year factory warranty, and the Grand Deck Marine Tourbillon, I'm not sure what else really deserves praise from this brand over recent years. I guess a steel tourbillon at a very accessible price is note worthy. All these things happe...
I am a bit (just a bit) worried
mainly because of this statement: “I am delighted to see a talented individual such as Patrick Pruniaux join Ulysse Nardin, which once again illustrates the attractiveness of the Kering Group." "attractiveness of the Kering Group" Huh? As a career vehicle...
My suspicion ...
... is that Kering acquired UN at a very high price, maybe even too high, compared with what is rumoured to have been paid for Breitling. UN's strength was slow, yet permanent growth. It was clear that, eventually, UN could not continue outside a strong e...
Well, Kering has owned UN for 3+ years so far. I see no drop off in quality whatsoever.
We have lots of members here with recent acquisitions - M4, EdT, Mitch, Abel, etc. They post no concerns about quality. Maybe growth will be accelerated moving forward. I own my own business, I am sorry guys, I do not fault a brand for wanting to grow and...
I have been quiet on the topic though I do have strong opinions. The fact that I have recently acquired 2 UNs and am considering a third piece is reflective of the prior administration's effort.
The watch industry is rare to make rapid changes. Watches can take years of development and the tenor of the company may not truly be manifested only after a year or two. I am sure there are still some interesting pieces in the pipeline as a legacy to Pat...
Spot on Mitch. All I am saying to the naysayers is in this thread is so far there are no issues.
We do not need to spread doom and gloom about the changes, especially from guys who don't even own the brand. Change is inevitable. And likely more growth with the new ownership, but we should not assume a drop in quality from Ulysse Nardin is coming just...
Kering's input certainly permitted the series production ...
... of several own base movements, which is essential to put butter onto the bread. The spectacular new pieces, like the deck tourbillon, are conversation starters and marketing pillars, but hardly enough to keep such a company operative. I, too, can by n...
Certainly a more aggressive sales and marketing campaign is developing.
I do not believe Ulysse Nardin would become a primary sponsor of a boat in the America's Cup without the Kering Group financial backing. And now we start to see more UN partnerships and ambassadors, just like with other brands. I love this brand and hope ...
The issue has not been any change in quality. In fact there have been releases of pieces of very good quality at a reasonable price point. It would seem to be a bad business move to downgrade quality. My greater concern will be the DNA of UN with regards
to the pushing of the envelope with the development of industry leading products as they have done over the years. That was Rolf's dream and his execution. Only time will tell if UN will be part of the pack or will they still lead the pack in development....
A more conservative higher volume strategy may be in the near term. No more..
Freaks or Trilogies, perhaps.
Bad sign
I used to read this forum some 15 years ago and just reacquainted myself with it. I met Mr. Schynder in Silicon Valley where I live some years ago. While a bit quirky, it was clear he was a strong leader and had an unmistakable drive and vision. I also ha...