Philip poole baume et mercier
Philip Poole, pictured for the WatchPro Hot 100 in 2015.

HOT 100 2014: Philip Poole, Baume et Mercier

The watch world loves a significant date, and this year is a landmark birthday for Philip Poole’s wife, although he gallantly refuses to disclose how old she will be. “I am looking forward to my wife celebrating a special birthday – maybe she’ll get a watch,” he quips.

Richemont brand Baume et Mercier is riding a wave of success for the Clifton family of affordable luxury watches it released in 2013, and will this year celebrate the collection’s first anniversary with the introduction of a limited edition Clifton 1892 Flying Tourbillon.

In the UK, Philip is particularly pleased with the growth of the brand’s retail reach. “We have successfully increased distribution with our major retail partners. These retailers have recognised our un-tapped potential as a luxury Swiss watch brand with a great heritage and perfectly positioned pricing, best placed as an affordable luxury gift for others or one’s self. This action coupled with increased advertising and great product launches has resulted in considerable growth which I’m very proud of,” he explains.

The Beaume et Mercier brand is being positioned as a perfect gift for major celebrations, and its advertising this year has wrapped around this concept. “Our watches are the perfect gift to mark joyous and memorable occasions – such as marriages, birthdays, graduation and starting a family or even simply to reward one’s self on a great achievement,” Philip explains – out of earshot of his wife, we hope.

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