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P...like Pierre Balmain

February 2004




Pierre Balmain
Pierre Balmain opened his first workshop in Paris in 1945 and quickly became one of the leading Parisian fashion houses. Oscar de la Renta later took over as Director of Pierre Balmain Haute Couture, Paris. In 1987, the Swatch Group acquired the exclusive production and marketing rights for Balmain watches and in 1995 the Group bought the Pierre Balmain brand for watch products. That same year, the brand could be found in 60 countries.
With the dynamism and facilities of the Swatch Group behind it, the Pierre Balmain watch brand has progressed from a recognized couture name to become one of the industry's more creative fashion brands. In 1998, it introduced the world's smallest ladies' chronograph - the ChronoLady and a year later a rectangular chronograph in titanium. B-Crazy the Secret Mirror and eXcessive continues the innovative styling of the Pierre Balmain watches that combine creativity, style and elegance.

Pierre Cardin
The world-renowned designer Pierre Cardin was the first couturier to 'bring fashion into the street' and revolutionized men's clothing with a ready-to-wear collection. He began work in Paris in the 1940s and worked for Schiaparelli and Christian Dior before opening his own fashion house at the beginning of the 1950s. The company began producing all sorts of accessories and Cardin began his licencing system in the 1960s - 840 products in 98 countries to-date.
Egana has held the Pierre Cardin licence for watches since 1991 and the trademark was acquired by them in 1997. The style of the watches is from classic to modern with an excellent price/value ratio. The main target group is the 25 to 55 year-olds with approximately 60% being for the ladies. Pierre Cardin watches are available in more than 43 countries in Europe, Asia and the Middle East.