I am pleased to share the grand finale of Perpetuelle.com’s “Post-Baselworld Interview Series” – my interview with Mr. Nicolas G. Hayek, President and Chief Executive Officer of Montres Breguet, Chairman of the Swatch Group, and one of the modern day watch industry’s most famous, ambitious, and accomplished persons.

Perpetuelle.com: How was BASELWORLD 2009 different for Breguet compared to prior years?

Mr. Hayek: It was not different compared to 2007 and 2006, but maybe we had in the enormous crowd on our booth one or two or three cubic centimeters more room.

Perpetuelle.com: Please tell us about the philosophy behind the new 2009 releases from Breguet.

Mr. Hayek: It’s exactly the same philosophy since 10 years. We produce beauty, beauty and beauty. This beauty is always linked to high technology and innovation. So, for example in the new High Jewelry minute repeater watch that we launched in Basel, you have more than 18 carats of diamonds, but set in a very special way, a world premiere for an invisible setting. And inside the watch you have all the technology of a minute repeater with the latest innovations of our R&D lab, in terms of sound.

Breguet Classique Grand Complication 7637                                   Breguet Classique 7337

Perpetuelle.com: Would you please kindly highlight a couple of your favorite new models for us?

Mr. Hayek: I love all of them. All Breguet watches are my children, and I have no favorite child.

Perpetuelle.com: What are the core strengths (and/or defining elements) of Breguet?

Mr. Hayek: Breguet has only strengths. Breguet is pure beauty. Breguet is innovating technology. Breguet is part of European culture and History. Kings and Queens from all around the world used to wear and still wear Breguet watches. Famous writers like Balzac, Pushkin, Victor Hugo and many others used to quote Breguet.

Breguet Tradition 7027                                  Breguet Classique Grand Complication 5347

Perpetuelle.com: What are you wearing now?

Mr. Hayek: I wear the first swatch that ever came out of the production line, an Omega, the model that went on the moon, and two Breguet watches, a beautiful manual winding tourbillon and the Breguet Double Tourbillon.

Perpetuelle.com: Are there any areas that Breguet will be focusing on for 2010 and/or beyond (for example, a focus on certain types of watches / complications / movements)

Mr. Hayek: I would love to answer, but many of our competitors visit your website and would be more than happy to read about our plans for the future. I’m sure you understand.

Perpetuelle.com: Please tell us about the distribution strategy and geographical availability of Breguet timepieces.

Mr. Hayek: Breguet is supported by the very efficient distribution system of the Swatch Group. We have subsidiaries in most of the countries around the world, and you can find a Breguet watch at the best retailers around the world. We also have more and more Breguet Boutiques, like in New York, Los Angeles, Paris, London, Vienna, Singapore and others. We have more than 15 Breguet Boutiques in the most prestigious places of the world and we are opening many more, like in Shanghai, Taipei, Hong Kong, etc.

Perpetuelle.com: Can you tell us which, if any, geographies you believe will play in important role in the future growth of Breguet?

Mr. Hayek: All the places are important. Every market is important to us, Europe, the United States, the Gulf States, Russia, all Asia, everyone is important.

And when human beings will go to the Moon and on Mars, we will be there too!

Perpetuelle.com: What role do you see for online media (such as Perpetuelle.com) and Breguet? How do you see this role changing/evolving in the future?

Mr. Hayek: I’m not going to tell you, it’s a secret!

Perpetuelle: A very big thank you, Mr. Hayek.

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