The CEO of Tissot celebrates the reception of its ‘connected’, interactive and battery ‘infinite’ watch
“The pandemic has not made us tremble, it has forced us to be more flexible and creative”
“Our strategy is to strengthen our presence in cycling, basketball and MotoGP, we do not consider football at the moment”
MADRID, 24 Nov. (EUROPA PRESS) –
Tissot Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Sylvain Dolla stated that the T-Touch Connect Solar watch, the connected, interactive and ‘infinite’ battery model of more than 6 months with which the Swiss watchmaker has revolutionized the market in 2021 it makes you feel “proud”, and that the pandemic has not made them “tremble”, although it has forced them to be “more flexible” and “creative”.
“Without a doubt, the pandemic has had an impact on the watch industry globally, but it has not shaken Tissot. The brand’s foundations are strong and the last six months, especially in Europe, has shown growth. very interesting and 2022 can only be better. In the end, this period of ignorance has forced us to be even more flexible and creative to continue pleasing our customers “, he commented in an interview with Europa Press.
The COVID-19 crisis has accelerated, according to him, the momentum of digital platforms, but he recalled that the Swiss watchmaker was a pioneer in the industry in investing in e-commerce six years ago. “We have already seen very good sales in many countries such as China, Russia or the United States, where sales did not stop despite the pandemic,” he said.
However, these sales online or in physical stores have evolved differently depending on how the virus crisis has been managed in the different markets. “The attraction to technology has played an important role in our sales results,” noted the former CEO of Hamilton.
“WE DO NOT COMPETE WITH SMART WATCHES”
Sylvain Dolla was very satisfied with the “very positive” response from the market to the launch in March of the T-Touch Connect Solar, a sporty looking model with touch technology on the screen, which is charged with solar energy and is’ connected ‘, all with the’ made in Switzerland ‘stamp.
“It surprises and everyone loves. After many years of dedication in the development of this product, we wanted to be sure that the end result was a watch that makes its wearer proud. And we can assure you that this is the case! “, said the CEO of the Swatch group brand.
However, the French manager made it clear who his rivals are. “We do not compete with ‘smart’ watches. There are three points that differentiate the Tissot T-Touch Connect Solar from other smart watches. The first is a watch with hands and a screen that shows your notifications, and the functions can even be used in non-connected mode. The second is autonomy, which reaches up to six months. Finally, our own SwALPS operating system, which allows Tissot to be independent “, he highlighted.
This independence means, for Dolla, having control of user data and guaranteeing their privacy. “This watch is not intended to collect private information for later use. Our operating system is also compatible with the three most common operating systems: iOS, Android and Harmony,” he stressed.
“SPORT IS PART OF OUR AND”
The company based in Le Locle (Switzerland), in the Alpine massif of the Jura, has sponsorship agreements with the NBA and FIBA, the MotoGP World Cup and the cycling world, apart from the three ‘big’ stage rounds, Giro , Tour and Return. “We strive to maintain the strength of our position in our three major sports, cycling, basketball and MotoGP. In addition to being part of the Tissot DNA, sports have always been a fundamental vector of our communication and will continue to be,” he said.
Official Timekeeper of the Asian Games, which will take place in Hangzhou, China, next year, recalled that they employ the latest technology to ensure that sports and fans get the most accurate timing and scoring. “We are always on the lookout for the next big timekeeping innovation, which evolves year after year. It is a continual change that is integrated as technology becomes available to you,” he added.
After the ‘solar’ watch developed over the last 20 years, he said that the Tissot T-Touch Connect Solar is where they started and where they continue because “it’s just the beginning.” “We have other products for the next few years that will have the same philosophy of independence, autonomy, own operating system and applications. There will also be precious quartz and mechanical models in 2022,” he said.
In terms of sponsorship, the Swatch group company has not yet considered linking up with football, in the case of LaLiga, UEFA or FIFA. “Our strategy is based on reinforcing our presence in the sports we are already in such as cycling, basketball, MotoGP, ice hockey or rugby, so we are not considering moving to football at the moment,” he said.
In his opinion, if there is something that will not change in the watch of the future, it is that the “most important thing will continue to be aesthetics.” “A ‘Swiss made’ watch is an emotional product, a jewel to be proud of, something that helps people reflect their taste and personality, and I am convinced that design will always be the most important aspect. Features and connectivity they will continue to be a secondary factor, “he predicted.