HIRSCH NEWSLETTER 02/2016
EDITORIAL Le braceletier, Robert Hirsch, raconte There is nothing good that cannot be done better. This statement made by my grandfather and founder of the company, Hans Hirsch, more than 70 years ago still holds true for HIRSCH today. It has become our credo and fuels the innovative spirit of our company that is an integral part of our value proposition. HIRSCH develops and manufactures the most advanced, most detailed and finest bracelets in the world. The purpose of all our innovations is to ensure the longevity, wearing comfort and aesthetic appearance of the bracelets in all the different situations our consumers wear them. With our know-how and instinct for watch bracelets, HIRSCH is able to offer professional support to the development efforts of the watch industry and assist watch retailers in the role of an expert partner. HIRSCH embodies bracelet culture that has been preserved and carefully handed down from one generation to the next. We are proud to present a special selection of the most advanced, detailed and finest bracelets in the world in this edition of our Newsletter that have been manufactured with great attention to detail and that are outstanding in terms of wearing comfort, longevity and aesthetic appearance. Take your time to discover the bracelet with all its fine details and learn more about the many services we offer to support you with our expertise all of this neatly summarised in this Newsletter. I wish you an enjoyable read. I am already looking forward to reporting the latest news from HIRSCH in the upcoming autumn edition of our Newsletter, but for the time being I wish you a wonderful summer and relaxing holidays. Yours, Robert Hirsch 2
SO MUCH MORE THAN A SIMPLE STRAP Bracelet culture to the highest perfection. 251 years HIRSCH the bracelet since 1765 Founded in the 18 th century by our ancestor, master leather craftsman Johannes Franz Hirsch, our family-run company focuses on the processing of leather to this day. 71 years A bracelet is a bracelet is a bracelet My grandfather Hans Hirsch started to produce high quality watch bracelets made of leather. We are still committed to these two core competencies leather and bracelet. 11 years Bracelet culture, carefully handed down from one generation to the next I myself proved my entrepreneurial courage when I bought the company in 2005 and initiated comprehensive research into the success factors of my ancestors. Collected and documented, this material now serves as the brand s mission in the form of our value proposition. 3
WHY HIRSCH IS THE RIGHT PARTNER FOR YOU One brand, one promise. HIRSCH has been setting the international quality standard for bracelets for watches for generations. As a globally active family enterprise and market leader we supply our products to some 16,000 dealers in more than 80 countries around the world and to the most prestigious brands of the Swiss watch industry. EXPERIENCE AND PRODUCT EXPERTISE FOR DECADES A company like ours that always pro-actively strives to develop its product further acquires a good sense for what consumers wish to wear on their wrists. The well thought-out HIRSCH range embodies our leather expertise, our product diversity, our in-depth knowledge of Premium Caoutchouc, and our successful combination of all these assets with the red dot winning Performance Collection. Special products, such as scratch-resistant bracelets or models for people with particularly delicate skin complete our product range. 4
THE SETTE DISPLAY SYSTEM FROM HIRSCH LITTLE FOOTPRINT, BIG TURNOVER Our innovative POS system not only looks good, it is the key to increasing your sales many times over! % 40 40% Turnover Umsatz 30 30% Pieces Stück 20 10 0 * According to customer tests in more than 40 test shops in four countries over a period of 18 months 12% ø Price ø Preis It is not without reason that Sette resembles a book; it invites customers to leaf through our product range without the need for a shop assistant s help. The successful, tried-and-tested system comes in five styles; each tray has a communication area on the back. With Sette you always have a clear overview of your stock. A POS system appreciated by specialist dealers chosen for an award by the specialist press experts, Sette convinces with its ability to boost sales (on average 30% more pieces sold and 40% higher turnover) while saving space at the same time and making the most of the space available in your shop. HAND IN HAND WITH A POWERFUL BRAND At HIRSCH we value you as our partner! Industry-focused, specialised sales team To offer optimum support and ensure a cooperative partnership a dedicated professional sales team is available to you on site for regular exchange with you. Together with you, our sales team compiles your very personal product range for your success. Customer Service Support In addition to our sales team, our expert customer service team in Klagenfurt and/or on site attends to your concerns quickly and in a straightforward manner. We use state-of-the-art information and data processing systems for our order intake process and ensure prompt availability of the product you require at the right place. Sales training A tailor-made training concept including information and reference documents for further reading complement our service provision and makes us the reliable partner up-scale specialist dealers and the watch industry trust. 5
THE FULL CREATIVITY OF HIRSCH In the last edition of our Newsletter we announced an update of our Creation models. The new models were presented for the first time at EPHJ (the international trade show for the watchmaking and jewellery sector) held in Geneva from 14 to 17 June. We proudly present: Six bracelet models that blend in harmoniously in the Sports, Fashion & Jewellery and Tradition sectors and underline the value of the respective watch brand with their distinctively placed specific details. JEWELLERY Grace The pinnacle of grace and attention to detail! Exquisite HIRSCH Premium Caoutchouc in elegant burgundy with delicate alligator scales in cream-white. JEWELLERY Architect combines technical as well as haute-gamme looks in a highly functional design SPORT Gran Turismo Dynamic high-performance with the spirit of motor racing 6
HIRSCH PERFORMANCE THE RED DOT WINNING COLLECTION Its success is still unbroken. The highly functional bracelets of our Performance Collection are proven bestsellers and have been ever since their market launch at Baselworld 2014. They received the red dot design award in 2015, a confirmation for our own, high claim to aesthetics. Nevertheless we still wanted to find out why this collection (now counting eight models including Arne, the latest addition) is so well received by our consumers. In order to find out more we contacted two jewellery retailers in Austria and Germany who successfully distribute this concept. Mr and Mrs Mikl, jewellers in Vienna s highend Wollzeile, are convinced that the unique product concept marrying leather and caoutchouc as they put it so nicely plus their very personal customer advice are the main reasons for the range s success. Functionalities, such as water resistance, skin-friendly suppleness and the adaptability of the bracelets that are suitable for a wide range of watches complete the picture, says jeweller Mikl. They also point out that often even no-name watches are knowingly combined with a performance bracelet to give them a special, more valuable look. Mrs Münzer, proprietor of a jewellery shop in Darmstadt, says superb presentation of the Performance collection bracelets at the Mr and Mrs Mikl in their shop in Wollzeile, Vienna front of her display is so very important. They draw the gaze of every customer. She is convinced that the collection offers an upmarket, innovative model for everyone. Asked about the watch models she dresses in Performance, she sees a clear trend to sport inspired models. Mrs Münzer is convinced that the great success of this bracelet collection lies in the overall package of high product quality, wearing comfort and appealing design at an attractive price. By the way: Our new website is online! www.hirschag.com The photo shows Mrs and Mrs Münzer in their shop in Darmstadt, Germany 7
SMART WATCHES LIKE TO DRESS SMARTLY SAMSUNG TRUSTS IN HIRSCH In our last edition we reported on our comprehensive SmartWatch research and the specific product concept that we have developed for this purpose and presented in the Smarten Up Your Watch booklet. Samsung, one of the big players among a series for renowned electronic companies, has decided to go for HIRSCH quality and attaches HIRSCH bracelets to its Gear S2 smartwatch models for ladies and men. The feminine Diva model adorns the women s watch, while Robby from the red dot-winning Performance Collection keeps the men s variant safely on the wrist in style. See for yourself how good smart can look! RUSH The hype around the popular Nato bracelets continues! Right in time for summer, we are paying tribute to this fashion trend and present a new model in three popular colour combinations. Soon after their launch they are already they have become bestsellers. We recommend you place your orders soon, if you want to demonstrate your good instinct for trends. 8