The hotly anticipated launch of Barbour watches in the second half of 2014 has already generated enquiries, according to UK distributor Zeon.
In February, Zeon announced plans for the British fashion label Barbour to move into the watch industry through a licensing agreement with the distributor.
Zeon will work with Barbour to create a range of watches for both ladies and men that will land in stores in autumn 2014. The watches are expected to have RRPs of between £70 and £200.
Talking to WatchPro recently, Zeon managing director Richard Tibber said that he has already received enquiries about the launch, despite not yet having any product to show. Tibber added that early excitement around the introduction of the watches by the well-known fashion brand is indicative of the future of watch retail. He said: "More and more, with so many other ways to tell time, a watch is not essential so it must be a brand consumers aspire to and a product that they love to wear for the statement it makes about them."
The initial batch of Barbour watches will launch at Barbour stores and high-end department stores and jewellers in the UK before being rolled out to similar retail outlets in Europe, the US and Asia. Zeon has a worldwide licensing agreement in place for the Barbour watches.
The launch of the watches, will be the next step in Zeon’s ongoing success. This year, Tibber has reported that Zeon posted 10% year-on-year growth and scooped 18 Red Dot awards and 18IF awards for product design.
Additionally, the company’s three leading brands – Ingersoll, Braun and Vivienne Westwood – have each grown in both sales and territories.
Tibber was named as a Power Player in the WatchPro Hot 100 in association with the Company of Master Jewellers earlier this year for his achievements.
