No, Bucherer will not be called Rolex
Posted: Thu Jan 30, 2025 9:08 am
The patriarch and sole owner of Bucherer, the 87-year-old, childless Jörg Bucherer, is the last surviving business partner who knew the founder of Rolex, Hans Wilsdorf, personally. Wilsdorf solved the succession problem by transferring his company to a foundation, and Bucherer by selling it to the same foundation company. Last year, when Nicolas russia rcs data Brunschwig, who owns the Swiss trading company Bongénie with his family, took over the presidency of Rolex SA and Rolex Holding, it was clear in which direction the company would go.
Luxury thrives on distance
The question is how distance is managed in the age of digitalization, where the main focus is on being closer to the customer. Watch manufacturers are pursuing different approaches here - with varying degrees of success. Small, so-called micro-brands only sell their largely limited products online, often as "collaborations" with large watch communities, such as Revolution in Asia, Hodinkee in the USA and Fratello in Europe. Others, such as Audemars Piguet, are canceling all concessionaire contracts and only selling in their own AP Houses and boutiques. Patek Philippe sees its future in thinning out its concessionaire network and focusing on pure PP boutiques. No matter what, everyone wants more control and is therefore looking for ways to get closer to the customer and their data.
Luxury thrives on distance
The question is how distance is managed in the age of digitalization, where the main focus is on being closer to the customer. Watch manufacturers are pursuing different approaches here - with varying degrees of success. Small, so-called micro-brands only sell their largely limited products online, often as "collaborations" with large watch communities, such as Revolution in Asia, Hodinkee in the USA and Fratello in Europe. Others, such as Audemars Piguet, are canceling all concessionaire contracts and only selling in their own AP Houses and boutiques. Patek Philippe sees its future in thinning out its concessionaire network and focusing on pure PP boutiques. No matter what, everyone wants more control and is therefore looking for ways to get closer to the customer and their data.