US. Speaking at the Duty Free Show of the Americas last week, Timex business development director Margaret Richards Taylor said the group’s new Roundhill Duty Free Arm based in Toronto was providing an excellent worldwide focus on the sector.
At the show, the launch of the delicately-styled Opex watches were attracting a lot of attention with South American buyers. Opex is a French women’s only brand priced from US$65 to US$150, with a feminine, fashion accessory appeal.
Another star of the show for Timex was the collection of Timex Chronos watches with Indiglo priced at US$75 with leather strap and US$85 with metal strap. Timex Ironman Triathlon watches and in particular the Speed + Distance system (pictured) priced US$200 to US$250 featuring a GPS tracking system, have already got off to a good start with Timex duty free locations. The high-tech Ironman collection also includes watches with a datalink via a USB port, MP3 player, other audio products and the Ironman Sleek.
Timex is also expanding internationally with another of its well-known brands with youth appeal: fcuk and the more expensive French Connection watches.
“We are now bringing it into all duty free and domestic markets, using duty free for our initial marketing,” said Richards Taylor. New Reebok lines were also on show, which are having their full launch at the Basel fair this week. Reebok is an extensive fashion sports collection, designed in Europe, which consists of half analogue and half digital products with some pure sports performance watches.
Contact Margaret Richards Taylor at mtaylor@timex.com
