Rado watch upbeat on global, Thai prospects despite flat Q1 sales

Roland Streule said in an exclusive interview with The Nation that despite the global economic downturn, the company would continue to invest in advertising, new shops, new products and research and development so as to get a bigger share of potential markets, including Thailand.

"Now you see more signs all over the world of slow recovery. Strong companies will survive even stronger. It is a good time for strong companies to gain market share," said Streule.

Streule said that the local stock market was improving continuously, which was a good omen of actual development in the market.

He said that for Rado Watch the picture had been mixed in the first quarter.

Performance was very weak in the US, but sales were maintained in Germany, the UK and Italy and gained in Korea and India.

In Thailand, Rado timepieces are now available in more than 250 outlets in leading department stores, duty-free shops and retail stores. The first Rado store has opened at CentralWorld.

Streule said Rado had made a big transition with the introduction of new collections for young consumers and those more sensitive to design.

The Rado brand started in 1957.

"We are a young brand, and we are proud to be young," said Streule.

He said the real story of Rado Watch had, however, started in 1962 with its first scratch-proof watch, The Original.

"The Original is one of the most successful products in watch history, and over three million have been sold since the global launch," said Streule.

He said the first chronometric use of ceramics had been in 1986, with the first full ceramic watch introduced in 1989. Rado introduced its V10K: The Hardness in 2004.

Streule yesterday met 105 retailers in Bangkok to share his confidence and optimism.

He showed them 41 new Rado styles fresh from the Basel, Switzerland watch and jewellery fair, the world's biggest such event.