6 Minutes @ François Nunez

François Nunez, with more than 20 years experience at the heart of the Swiss watchmaking industry in design sensibility, including close collaborations with famous designers, combined with a diverse background in strategic marketing have helped a number of top luxury houses to diversify and flourish. Nunez is now the Product Director of Victorinox Swiss Army Watch since October 2010. Nunez made a trip to Hong Kong recently and met up with mylifestylenews over lunch and debriefed the 2013 collection, he knows what makes it tick......

<CHRONO CLASSIC>

The Chrono Classic is the standout star of Victorinox Swiss Army’s exciting lineup for 2013. The newest version of this perennial best-seller has undergone a full metamorphosis, both aesthetically and technically. First and foremost, its new quartz movement transforms it, with a double press of the crown, from a classic watch into a chronograph accurate to 1/100th of a second. In a first for this type of movement, the 1/100th of a second is displayed numerically, by means of two rotating discs. Two new dial colours complete the transfiguration of the Chrono Classic into a genuine multi-tasking tool of sober styling and intelligent functionality. The Chrono Classic is now a "three-way" watch, an innovative tool of sober design, as simple to use as the famous Swiss Army knife that inspired it.

By simply pressing the crown twice, the classic watch turns into a chronograph accurate to 1/100th of a second. That simple gesture realigns the three central hands at 12 o’clock, while the date indicator at 6 o'clock becomes a counter at zero position. To start the chronograph, in the traditional manner, simply press the button at 2 o'clock. The red central hand then displays the seconds, while the others count out the minutes and hours. The same operation stops the time measurement--the 1/100th of a second shows in the window at 6 o'clock. A second pushbutton at 4 o’clock resets the chronograph. 

<INFINITY>

The Infantry collection boasts military inspiration but has many other advantages to highlight. Demonstrating the line’s maturity, the 2013 collection as a whole remains classic and timeless. The lines of the different watch models have evolved classic towards greater fluidity. Every element contributes to the maximum readability of the dial. Two new bracelets - organic black leather strap and a bracelet of stainless steel mesh complete the set. The result is a fully rejuvenated new look.

 <MAVERICK>

The watch now has a restyled and refined dial emphasizing readability, and the collection has a cast of bold new colours: chocolate, green, blue and red, mostly in monochrome. The Maverick remains true to the codes and values of Victorinox Swiss Army, while leveraging these to assert a stronger and more audacious identity: among the offers is a two-tone bracelet (steel/gold PVD) and a gold PVD-coated steel case. 

All versions are powered by Swiss Made Ronda quartz movements. Victorinox Swiss Army’s mission in 2013 is to bring a touch of lustre to one of the bestselling models in its catalogue without altering the identity codes that have made it successful. The Maverick remains the Maverick, with its lines and proportions unchanged. The affordable price is the same, too, but the watch has new audacity and freshness.

<NIGHT VISION>

The latest version of the Victorinox Swiss Army bestseller retains all the features that

have made it such a huge success. This time, however, it is highlighted by a new brushed and polished steel case treated with "Black Ice" PVD. The look marries admirably well with two new dial proposals and rubber straps in military green or black. Today, the multi-function instrument par excellence has an even sportier character. Time flies! The famous Night Vision celebrates its tenth anniversary this year, and the key to its success remains the same as ever. A long-time bestseller for Victorinox Swiss Army, the innovative watch illustrates perfectly the philosophy of the house, combining the strengths of a product at the cutting-edge of watchmaking technology, the useful functions of a professional tool, and an attractive contemporary design.

It was a dramatic changed ever since I have joined Victorinox Swiss Army Watch in 2010, we are now more focus with our brand philosophy and brand image image.

My role now is to bring the brand to a new level of international recognition by focusing on its unique values and design. We need to convince our consumers of the quality of our product, in fact more than just justifiable in terms of price and quality. It is important also to make them understand the brand and realizing what they are paying for when purchasing a watch.

We are building a bigger communication globally and delivering the same value of our watches design in military time, the functionality and quality to our consumers and collectors.

Victorinox Swiss Army Watch is still 100% family own business over the 25 years. We create watches to fit the time and correspondent to people who love the craftsmanship.

Words of mouth is a very strong communication tools for us, we don't do a lot of advertisement but yet we do have some very good loyal customers who stick to Victorinox Swiss Army Watch.

Many may have mistaken Victorinox Swiss Army Watch to Swiss Military Watch, our watches are not defined by gender, the clarity layer of complications and the functionality create a self confident to the wearer. In which, it is a status and an attribute to a certain distinctive lifestyle with a more define personality.

We progressively design a not so noisy watches with a contemporary twist to the brand with entirely  Swiss movement.  Different level of challenges = opportunity and it gives a much more freedom and making sense when comes to design.

Time means everything to me and what time really matters is the moment that you capture and remember. We can't flash back time.

Watches are "companion for life' and making use of our daily life, that is why people still need a watch this day in terms of referring time with that mobile phone of many other tools. It is something with a much more sentimental value and comes with great emotion by wearing a watch. Hence, watches is always be my favorite possession.

My ideal way of a living lifestyle is always remember the time is NOW, enjoy the moment, the splendid moment and to catch magical moments in time.

<ORIGINAL>

The Original is the iconic watch of Victorinox Swiss Army, dons a new look in 2013. Still military-inspired, monochrome in tone and effortlessly easy to read, it is now modernized and urbanized by a new modular leather strap. The color is reminiscent of the case of the original Swiss Army Officer’s knife. The chronograph version, in a limited series of 1989 pieces, is endowed with an additional element: a removable hood, also in leather, that can completely encase it. The Original now comes in two forms. The Original is a watch with three hands and a date window, animated by a Ronda quartz movement. The Original Chronograph has three central hands, date window at 4 o'clock, three sub-dials and an ETA quartz chronograph movement.

<GOLDEN WEEK BOX SET>

The Classic Victorinox Swiss Army Infantry Vintage Collection, inspired by military elements, introduces a Special Edition box set in this Golden Week. Not only does the box set contain a masculine Infantry Vintage self-winding mechanical timepiece, it also includes the military Original Swiss Army Knife. It combines contemporary aesthetics and military elements altogether with high collection value. Throughout years, men servicing the army after reaching a designated age is considered to be an honour by their family in places such as China and Taiwan. Although the training is tough, family’s support has always been an indispensable motivation for these fellow men. No matter as a blessing or as a celebration for completion of a significant life stage, a heart-warming gift is the best expression of the sentiment. A piece of iconic military green self-winding mechanical timepiece, together with a military Original Swiss Army Knife are the most loyal witnesses. Invaluable life moments are embedded in them. They are full of commemorations and are passed on to next generations. 

"My role now is to bring the brand to a new level of international recognition by focusing on its unique values and design." ~ François Nunez.

mylifestylenews @ François Nunez