Pequignet has confirmed to the WatchPro Live team that it will be in attendance as an exhibitor at the inaugural WatchPro Salon event later this year.
The news comes just days after the likes of Laurent Ferrier and Kari Voutilainan also committed to the event to be held at The Londoner, a brand new 5-star hotel in Leicester Square, from November 12-13.
The decision for Pequignet is the latest in its steps back into the spotlight of European watchmaking after a turbulent few years.
Speaking to Hervé Menestrel, Pequignet’s UK-based Sales Agent tasked with reviving the brand among retailers in the UK, he thinks the brand has a lot to offer the UK market.
On the comeback specifically, he explains: “In 2016, Pequignet was bought by four former managers, who believed in the brand’s potential and had a clear vision for the future.
“They decided to complete a management buyout under a new entity and implemented important structural changes.”
Adding: “This strategy has paid off and Pequignet is growing steadily. Our watch releases have been well received and the company is now increasing its international presence in several countries, including the UK.”
Pequignet is an independent watch manufacture employing 20 people with a goal, according to the team, to develop a real partnership with distributors and to do so on a longer-term basis.
Menestrel continues: “As a new sales agent living in the UK, my aim is to develop and consolidate a retailer network for Pequignet in this country. I provide a link between the distributors and the manufacturers for watch presentations, in-store sales training, local events or any other kind of support.”
He elaborates: “Regarding the current situation in the UK, we are seeing more positivity and interest for the brand since the boutiques reopened in April. A lot of people have never seen our “Manufacture” collection (featuring our in-house movements) and are pleasantly surprised by the overall quality and value for money. They see the brand potential and several boutiques started to collaborate with us during the past few weeks.
“Besides that, we are working with two retailers in the UK which have been faithful to our brand for more than 30 years.”
Pequignet has actually been back at work in the UK for around 6 months now, with Covid-19 slowing down past momentum.
However, as restrictions lift and positivity is installed back into the economy across the country, Pequignet is now actively looking for new distributors to increase brand awareness and work with the media and retailers at a more local level.
As WatchPro’s Special Report found, independent watchmaking is becoming more and more prevalent. Pequignet seems to be gaining traction on the back of this trend and in 2021, it will celebrate the calibre royal’s 10 year anniversary with a number of novelties set for launch in H2.
WatchPro Salon tickets will go on sale this summer while brands that would like to know more about how to participate should contact Lucy Cheesewright at lucy.cheesewright@itppromedia.com.
