The French luxury goods holding company, Kering has developed an ensemble of powerful luxury sport and lifestyle brands. Under its board is Gucci Timepieces & Jewellery that’s known as one of the most consistent fashion watch brands. We manage to go back in time and strip down the story behind its journey.
By Alexa Picaulima
Guccio Gucci founded the House of Gucci in early nineteenth century. As an extraordinary craftsman, he started selling luxury goods in the 1920s and opened his first boutique in Rome in 1938. Following his death 15 years later, his son, Aldo expanded the company by opening more stores. By the late ‘60s, House of Gucci has launched in many world capitals; New York, London, Paris and Tokyo. The brand started its watchmaking craftsmanship in early ‘70s and continues to be one of the leading luxury brands in the decade. But sadly, not long after that, a string of devastating business decisions led the company to the brink of bankruptcy.
To gain its glory back, Gucci tried to focus on the watchmaking once again. Their watches commenced its production in Switzerland in 1997 by means of an attitude based entirely on advanced quality, precision and thought to detail. Gucci pooled its creative skills in the midst of an unparalleled accuracy of Swiss craftsmanship to produce Gucci Timepieces. In the same year, the brand got hold of the operating assets of “Severin Montres Group”, and to enter upper edge in the market, the group went taking some daring steps in the form of mergers and acquisitions two years later by buying Yves Saint Laurent Couture, Sanofi Beaute and also claimed 70% stake of Sergio Rossi.
The bold move provided Gucci with a strong base to launch its watches. The plan to monopolise the whole market got a boost in the year 2000, when it obtained “Boucheron International” group. The significance effect was shown in the market when they secured license rights to run Yves Saint Laurent Couture watches. By initiating such steps, the brand made a place for itself in the luxury goods market as well. Gucci watches quickly earned recognition as each watch are mark of a distinctive, contemporary style by means of a fresh edge urbane flare.
To date, Gucci watches are widely worn by fashionable men and women who appreciate its design immensely. Right from the beginning, Gucci has presented watches that win over the hearts of youths. Stainless steel, sapphire crystal and soft silver are some of the major constituents, characterising the appeal of the brand. Soft silver is still extensively put into use to fashion some of the model’s dial. Now they are churning out watches, both exciting and seductive, of the finest Swiss watch design, in their own style and grace to give a tough fight to rivals. Whenever the designer watches are no longer in fashion, you might come over this dilemma by going to the Gucci way, which assures of consistency.
