Swiss family-run luxury watchmaker H Moser & Cie continues to be driven by the spirit of innovation and entrepreneurship, CEO Edouard Meylan says.

"Our independence is very important for us. We are a family business, independent and very entrepreneurial. Everything we do – from business to communication – we do differently from the big groups," Meylan tells Arabian Knight.

Meylan, who spoke to the magazine on the sidelines of last month’s Dubai Watch Week (DWW), said that innovation remains a core strength of the brand, which sports the tagline “Very Rare”. 

He continues: "We are trying to innovate in a different way. We try to create smart solutions, watches that don't look complex. Our perpetual calendar for instance is probably one of the most innovative watches that you can find on the market."

H Moser & Cie is an integrated watch producer and every watch is built and finished by hand. The brand produces more than 1,000 watches a year.

"From a design angle, what is important for us is minimalism and extreme elegance – we are definitely not boring,” he says. “Our watches are a bit sexy and a funky. Those who want a traditional brand – but not the watch of their father or grandfather – will think of H Moser.”

Meylan not only places great importance on the product but as well as its marketing, as both are crucial to securing a brand’s future. 

"Some watchmakers are good in one but not the other. I believe in both. Some people think that because they have a great product they will be successful forever. You need to be successful every year and in order to be successful long term, you need to communicate in a smart way, in a consistent way,” he says.  

Meylan is all praise for the annual DWW, which is organised Ahmed Seddiqi & Sons, a leading UAE-based luxury watch retailer.

“It’s a great platform and managed very professionally. Being able to be part a part of it as a small brand is incredible," he says.

At the event, H Moser & Cie launched the Venturer XL Concept Dubai Edition in tribute to its partnership with Ahmed Seddiqi.

"It's great to have a partner like Seddiqi. It is my job to get them excited about our products and they believe in what we do,” he says.

The Middle East is the third largest market for the brand after Europe and Asia. "We have had a great year in terms of sales, visibility and the way the brand is growing in the entire region. Middle East is a great market for us and initiatives like this (DWW) will help greatly in promoting the brand."

While H Moser’s higher-value and concept models sell really well in the region, Meylan points out that the brand has also started producing stainless steel watches. “It’s crucial to be able to bring products that stimulate the market, even at the entry level.”

Commenting prospects for 2017, Meylan says: "We see Europe going back to reasonable growth and we don't see any reason for other markets to go down and hence are optimistic. We expect continued growth for the brand." 

H Moser is also aiming to increase its annual production to around 2,500 watches in the next three years. “We have to double production, which will be quite a challenge,” he concludes.