HARRY WINSTON PRESIDENT AND
CHAIRWOMAN OF THE SWATCH
GROUP, NAYLA HAYEK, MET WITH
INTERNATIONAL WATCH MIDDLE
EAST MAGAZINE TO SHARE HER
VIEWS ON HER FINE WATCH AND
JEWELRY BRAND. SHE ALSO
DISCUSSED THE CURRENT STATUS
OF THE INDUSTRY– AND HER
FUTURE PLANS.
IW: Did last year feel different, particularly with
Harry Winston’s Baselworld presence?
NH: It feels different in a positive way because of
all the big success we’ve had at Baselworld. All the
models we’ve shown this year are new, with new
developments as well as some very special pieces
launched too. Baselworld this year has been quite
good like the past years. The fair response and
atmosphere were good and the sales results were
good too.
How important is it for Nayla Hayek to stamp Harry Winston’s presence
in the high-end segment of the Swiss fine watchmaking?
NH: Harry Winston is already in the high-end segment of watchmaking
production and we do already have a development structure in place as
we continue to launch similar timepieces with complications like the Opus
14 and the series of the Histoire de Tourbillon, so it’s not that those are first
steps or the development is expected to arrive; it is already there.
Also, for me high-end watchmaking is not only about complications, but
it’s also about timepieces with Metiers d’Art and high jewelry watches that
Harry Winston is manufacturing too. High-end is a brand image as much
as it also includes complications. Harry Winston is working with in-house
movements coming from Blancpain, ETA and other parts that specialize in
producing movements and the required components for the Harry Winston
timepieces. What we do best at Harry Winston is manufacturing the cases,
the construction, the design and the diamond setting.
Silicium is taking more and more center stage at an increasing number
of watchmakers, particularly at Blancpain and Breguet. What is Harry
Winston’s commitment towards technology introduction inside its
timepieces?
NH: I think I already answered your question because if Blancpain, Breguet
and all our high-end brands in our Group are using the silicium, then for
sure we use it as well, because we are using those movements too. But it’s
not Harry Winston that develops silicium movements. We will not begin to
develop our own movements.
What do you consider the immediate as well as the long-term challenges
of Harry Winston?
NH: The challenge for Harry Winston is to build up the clientele, to be recog-
nized as a serious watch brand and not a jewelry brand that also does some
nice watches which I believe is not the case, because we are a serious watch
brand and we want to be considered as one.
SUMMER 2017 | INTERNATIONAL WATCH | 151