Bench Watches

The holidays are approaching and whether you’re the boss or you have one, that uncomfortable annual question of if and what to buy him/ her or your employees comes up.

Well, here are some perfect answers. If you are the boss and want to buy your employees something that will last them a lifetime and endear each and every one of them to you, a watch is a great choice. Not to mention, they will have no good excuse for being late anymore and they will have that professional look about them, as a luxury watch makes a statement.

If you not the boss and have one and want to be nice, then you and your colleagues can pool your funds together and get your boss a really nice, brand new watch (at a major discount mind you).

Whether you’re buying for a male or female boss or a mixed group of employees, here are some great watches. (Model numbers are included so that you may do a quick Internet search to find the lowest prices available; just Google the model number).

All the watches that I am about to share with you are black in some way. Black is the most common color used in watchmaking since it looks good with all metals, stainless steel, gold (yellow, rose), or platinum and provides a striking contrast for diamonds or other precious gems or stones used on a watch. Take into account the immense popularity of the black rubber strap on luxury watches and you see why we’re going with black in some way, shape or form.

All but one of the below brand name, luxury watches can be found for less than $1,000. All you have to do is choose.

First, let’s talk men’s watches. Take TAG Heuer and Raymond Weil; both are great companies that make handsome watches with the large face that has become so popular.

TAG Heuer is known for many collections and its Monaco series is one of these. The all black TAG men’s Monaco Automatic Chronograph is a great watch. With its square stainless steel case and bezel, black dial, which have black chronograph features and black leather strap, this watch is super stylish. Look it up using model # CW2111.FC6177. This is the only watch mentioned in this article that costs upwards of $1,000.

The Tango Chronograph by Raymond Weil sells for less than $1,000 yet looks like a million bucks. The rectangular stainless steel face, black dial and subdial and sporty black rubber strap place this watch in the “must have” category. See it using model # 48811-SR-05200.

TAG Heuer has long had a relationship with Formula 1 racing and has consistently produced sporty men’s watches that give please both luxury watch enthusiasts as well as racing car fans. This new Formula 1 men’s watch is the newest member of the TAG / Formula 1 family and won’t disappoint. With its 44mm sized case and black dial and black subdial with large, white hour hands, this watch gives off a look of power and speed. At just over $1,000 check it out using model number CAH7010.BA0854.

And now, for the ladies: three gorgeous women’s watches and remember, depending on her personality, you can also always buy a man’s watch for a woman.

There are just as many black women’s luxury watches out there today. The Link by TAG Heuer is one that offers a black face and diamonds for under $1,000. See this elegant, yet sporty watch by referencing model # WJ1318.BA0572.

Since Michele makes watches exclusively for women, they are big on what’s fashionable and the all-black Tahitian ceramic watch is a real head-turner. Again, selling for less than $1,000, if you love black, you’ll love this watch, with model # MWW12A000006.

Movado was the main luxury watch company that made black dials famous. The sleek black dial with no numbers is Movado’s signature look, so this beauty, the Ono with its stainless steel jewelry bracelet is a beauty, especially at less than $900. See the wome’s Ono by entering model number 0605815.

So, you see, with all these choices, you can buy the absolute perfect corporate gift for your boss or employees this holiday season. Any of these watches will greatly impress the recipient and every time he or she wears it, that person will think of you and smile.

Now, don’t we all want a happy work environment?

Luxury watches are headed to where the buyers are and it’s not Europe, the United States or even Russia. India is the newest landing spot for luxury watch companies. With such a large population, many of them U.S. educated who have returned to start successful businesses, the demand for nice things are on the rise. It’s almost as if watches parallel the caste system that still exists in India. All over the world watches are status symbols and perhaps no more so than in a country where the family you come from and the blood that runs through your veins still very much define you and who you can marry.

Watch brands like Raymond Weil are opening up new boutiques throughout India. Press conferences are being held, Indian celebrities are being brought on as new spokespeople / ambassadors, parties are being held and rupees (the Indian currency) are being used to buy new men’s and women’s watches, which is music to the watch industry’s ear.

Oliver Bernheim, CEO and President, Raymond Weil Watches says that “Indian end consumers are very innovative today. They want to see nuances, they want to be global, they want to see a watch that would fit to their waist. So, I love the Indian consumer because he (she) is open for fresh products for nuance. It is a market that doesn’t stop being interested by development,” said Oliver Bernheim, CEO and President, Raymond Weil Watches. RW (Raymond Weil) expects India to contribute 7% to its global sales by the end of 2010. This estimate speaks highly and confidently of the potential for spending power that India offers.

Other brands besides RW that are keen on the Indian market are Chico, Citizen, Fossil, Casio, and Tissot. Tissot has recently signed one of India’s most famous faces to its brand. Referred to as the “face of the new generation,” the beautiful Deepika Padukone has become Tissot’s brand new and hottest face.

Although India may not be the best destination for super high-end brands like Cartier watches, Gucci watches or Bvlgari watches, it really is a great area for lower to mid range priced brands like the ones listed above and also for others like Baume and Mercier and Michele watches. There are even some TAG Heuer and Movado watches that would surely sell well there.

That’s an idea! If the high end brands were really smart, they would open boutiques in India that only sold their lower-priced watch lines. Perhaps this wouldn’t make too much sense for Cartier or Breitling, but definitely would for TAG Heuer and Movado and I’m sure Omega watches would sell well as they are sporty like Tissot watches and those have good sales numbers.

A lot of times when introducing a new brand or product into a certain market the company has to spend a lot on advertising (you’ve heard the saying “you’ve got to spend money to make money), but in India, consumers there are already “very very aware of International luxury and premium brands. Many Indians travel abroad today. Many luxury and premium brands also advertise in India so brands like Raymond Weil, Chico, Citizen, Fossil, Casio are very well known to Indian consumer today,” explains Harish Bhatt, COO, Titan Watches.

So, basically the recipe for success is there. As we enter 2010, I wouldn’t be surprised to see more watch brands closing stores in the U.S. and Europe and opening new locations in India.