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Published on August 4, 2007

Jens Rempp, international retail manager of Omega - part of the Swatch Group - yesterday said the company was still witnessing growing demand here for luxury goods, mainly because they are emotional products, while other mid-range products might be affected by the current economic uncertainty.

He said other countries were also facing economic problems. However, considering the global market, Thailand and the rest of Asia were fast-growing markets compared to those in Europe.

Omega has 39 boutiques globally, more than 20 of which are in Asia. It started the first boutique at its headquarters in Switzerland seven years ago. Excluding the giant Chinese market, the Thai market is as important to the company as other countries in Asia, said Rempp.

He said the performance of both Omega and the Swatch Group was good last year and that the firms would continue to open more boutiques in the region.

To strengthen its market globally, Omega will apply a new marketing tool - Omega Lifetime - in September, to build a stronger relationship with customers and to attract new clients.

The magazine will feature articles related to high-end watches and lifestyles in renowned cities around the world. Initially, Omega is issuing only an English version, but it is working on a Chinese version and will also publish in Thai later.

Omega will distribute 120,000 copies of the first issue. The magazine will be published twice a year.

Recently, it also introduced a new brand ambassador - Hollywood actor George Clooney - to build awareness globally, except in the United States and Canada.

Yesterday, the company also launched two limited editions of its highlight Omega Speedmaster: the Speedmaster Professional Moon-watch Co-Axial 50th Anniversary Limited Series and the Speedmaster Professional Chronograph Moon-watch of the same series. Prices are Bt337,000 and Bt138,000 respectively.

Rempp said the two limited editions were made from the same materials as the original Moonwatch that travelled to the moon with astronaut Neil Armstrong for the July 20, 1969, landing, except for a slight change in mechanics.

Nitida Asawanipont

The Nation