Letter from the Publisher

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Letter from the Publisher
14 Grand Complications, Vol. VII
A Gripping Event
The watch industry is like a television series: it captivates
and hooks us. The mechanism is implacably efficient. Episode 1
takes place in January, at the Salon International de la Haute
Horlogerie in Geneva, and is not to be missed, since there is no
repeat broadcast. The event sets the scene, introduces the main
characters and provides the key elements of a scenario that will
keep the audience spellbound throughout the season. Who will be
the sales hero in 2011? Which challenges will brands have to face?
What about the love affair between China with its magnificent dowry
and its global suitors?
April brings a change of set and of actors, with the second episode shot at BaselWorld.
The second branch of the family comes on the scene and, just like its Geneva-based cousins,
is determined to keep viewers waiting with bated breath. The cogs are well oiled and
highlight the skill of the scriptwriters who have honed their preparations: a sprinkling of
glamour, a hint of suspense stretching over 10 days, and an array of stunning complications.
High-caliber actors are the order of the day, and any guest star appearances are a good
token of the series’ success.
However, some do not necessarily get the audience they expect, and in the past couple
of years there were more flops then hits, with the plot summed up in a single word: crisis.
Some were prepared to admit that watchmaking was bound to follow a cyclical ratings curve,
and now that the storm is past, most will agree that the collateral damage affected everyone,
including those at the top of the bill. The season that kept watchmaking hearts beating at
more vibrations per hour than ever is fortunately behind us.
2011 will doubtless bring further spectacular turns of events, and we can count on the
industry’s innate creativity in maintaining fast-paced action during the upcoming episodes.
Caroline Childers