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CEO Corner: François-Paul Journe, Founder of F.P. Journe, on Chinese Collectors’ Fondness for Haute Horlogerie

The CEO of Swiss haute horlogerie brand F.P. Journe talks to Jing Daily about the company's strategy in China as it manufactures less than 1,000 watches a year.

CEO Corner: François-Paul Journe, Founder of F.P. Journe, on Chinese Collectors’ Fondness for Haute Horlogerie

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  1. Two of F.P. Journe’s 10 boutiques are in China—Beijing and Hong Kong. Do you have any plans for China expansion?
  2. The company also just celebrated the 10th anniversary of its Hong Kong boutique with a limited-edition watch. As luxury retailers renegotiate rents or close Hong Kong stores due to the watch sales slowdown, what’s your plan for the Hong Kong market?
  3. Which timepiece models are the most popular with Chinese clients? Do different regional markets have significantly different preferences?
  4. Can you name any of your notable Chinese clients? Or do you have any Chinese brand ambassadors?
  5. F.P. Journe has previously created China-related limited-edition timepieces, including one to celebrate Switzerland and China’s free-trade agreement and one to celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of diplomatic relations between France and China. As many watch brands create special timepieces for Chinese New Year, will F.P. Journe do the same?
  6. After launching the brand’s first women’s (and quartz) collection, what kind of interest are you seeing from women in China?
  7. You’ve used jade in your ladies’ watch celebrating the France-China 50th anniversary. How do you select the jade, and is demand for it high concerning Swiss watches in China?
  8. How do you approach your global pricing plan with regard to China?
  9. We’ve been reading that Chinese luxury consumers are shifting from an obsession with mega–brand names toward smaller, more niche brands. As a watchmaker that produces only around 900 models a year, have you noticed this in China?
  10. What are the best ways to reach an ultra-elite Chinese client base to educate them about the brand?
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Published November 14, 2016

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