Timekeeping, Incheon style
As the official timekeeper of the 2014 Asian Games, Tissot made it a point to make every second of our time in Incheon a memory-preserving moment. There with the first wave of journalists flown in, I was given a bird’s eye view of the magnificent opening ceremonies, enjoyed a basketball game, and joined the gala dinner — a fun night of superb entertainment and special dishes. While my hosts were Ray and Lilia Jacinto of Timeline (official agents of Tissot in the Philippines) and Swatch Group’s regional vice president Suzanti Yeo, special mention has to go to Francois Thiebaud, president of Tissot SA since 1996, and a member of the executive management board of the Swatch Group AG. A dynamic firebrand CEO, Thiebaud has guided the resurgence of Tissot (it was acquired by Swatch and the legendary Nicolas Hayek in 1983), and is responsible for the impressive one billion Swiss Francs in turnover in 2012, with nearly four million watches sold. A media-savvy raconteur, Law graduate, ex-pilot, Thiebaud was an engaging, loquacious spokesperson for the watch brand, ever ready to flash his trademark two-handed T!
Founded in 1853 by the father-son team of Charles-Felicien and Charles-Emile Tissot, and famous back then for their savonnette pocket-watches and the first pocket watch with two time zones, Tissot today is a premier mid-range watch brand that respects and honors its provenance and tradition as a luxury brand, while embracing innovation and new technology. As Thiebaud has proclaimed, Tissot is about “growth through high volumes and not higher prices...The more we sell, the more we can lower prices.” And through timekeeping over various sports arenas, they’ve amassed an enviable reputation for accuracy and resilience. Basketball star Tony Parker, race-car driver Danica Patrick and Angelina Jolie (who donned a Tissot watch for the films Lara Croft and Mr. & Mrs. Smith) are just some of the personalities associated with the brand; and Tissot is closely aligned with MotoGP, fencing, ice hockey, FIBA basketball, NASCAR, cycling and the Universiade Games, to name a few. For the Asian Games 2014, sleek commemorative chronograph watches were created, with choices of metal or rubber straps.
It was in 1999 that Tissot introduced its T-Touch series, highlighted by tactile technology that allowed the wearer to enjoy touch screen features in a watch. And for 2015, the T-Touch’s 16th anniversary, Tissot’s “next big thing” will be incorporating tactile technology with solar energy — the T-Touch Expert Solar. What this translates to is a precision watch that carries the following features: Two time zones, an altimeter, a chronograph, a barometer for weather forecasts, a compass, regatta function, backlight, and two alarms (one for the week, and another for the weekend), plus being powered by solar energy. A more “loaded” watch coming from a historic watch brand will be hard to find. It’s legacy with forward-looking design and innovation.
During the gala dinner held at the Tissot Lounge at the Incheon Sheraton, we were treated to a five-course dinner, and rounds of entertainers. From Korea, there was a high-energy dance group, Animation; and an astounding female percussionist Miso Kim. And the surprise package during the dinner was how the Australian guest chef, the French sommelier, and the Italian director of catering turned out to be singers/performers; and all Australian to boot. Between their bantering, singing, and pratfalls, they had us forgetting which course we were eating, as the whole room was punctuated by laughter and mirth. The act is called the Singing Chefs; and they were a potent reminder of how Tissot may have history, provenance, and serious watch-making in its blood, screws, and mechanisms, but it also knows how to have fun!
Fun and innovation are among the cornerstones for making Tissot a brand with a story. Mr. Thiebaud knows only too well that it’s this story that will make the difference, and make each Tissot buyer a convert for life. For close to 20 years now, Mr. Thiebaud has charted the course for this watch brand, so each time he would place his right palm on top of the upraised fingers of his left, and form the Tissot T, to my mind, the T could also stand for Thiebaud.
