Staying Independent For Now

Stefano Macaluso, President of Girard-Perregaux and Chairman of Sowind Group, explains his vision for the next 10 years. There will be plans to introduce more innovative complications, to expand more rapidly in emerging markets, and to grow the women's watch segment that currently accounts for 30% of turnover. On collaboration with other watchmakers and fashion brands, he says that would remain a small part of the business as the company wants to focus on building its own brand. The plan is to remain independent but he does not discount the possibility of selling to a bigger group. In terms of sales volume, the quartz watches account for a bigger percentage while mechanical watches account for a bigger percentage of sales value. GP is a 220 year old brand and a pioneer of high frequency mechanical watches and quartz watches.