e recently interviewed a broad selection of managers, active in a variety of segments, to help us identify the major trends within the watch industry.

Our Q&A with Bertrand Savary – Arnold & Son, Angelus.

Europa Star: What are your strategic priorities for 2023?

Bertrand Savary: Between 2020 and 2022, Arnold & Son tripled production, and as a result, we tripled our turnover too. In 2023, we’ll limit our growth somewhat to focus on consolidating our achievements. From a commercial point of view, we will continue to improve the quality of our distribution network and focus on developing three areas in particular: China, the Middle East and Europe. For the other regions, we will consolidate partnerships with our existing retailers.

With Angelus, following the successful launch of the Chronodate collection in 2022, in March we introduced the La Fabrique collection, which brings back some of the brand’s most iconic models, such as the Medical Chronograph. We’re keeping Angelus very exclusive, with production limited to around 300 pieces for 2023. We will also focus on communication. For example, we have concluded a wonderful partnership with Château Angelus, which produces some of the best Bordeaux wines in the world. But we share more than just a name: we speak the same language of passion, collection, longevity and patience, which apply equally to a watch as to fine wine. This association allows us to offer our customers some incredible experiences.

Bertrand Savary

Which new products or lines will be your main focus this year?

With Arnold & Son, we’re revisiting our classics, such as the Ultrathin Tourbillon with its reworked tourbillon cage and hand engraving, and the Double Tourbillon, creating unique pieces by using white opal in combination with malachite or aventurine glass. The Arnold & Son calibre portfolio includes more than 20 models and we will continue to develop our iconic collections, with more releases throughout the year. After that, we’ll be launching a brand new collection. It’s sportier, but with Arnold & Son’s signature elegance.

With Angelus, we will continue to explore the brand’s rich history with new limited editions in the La Fabrique collection. And, of course, we’ll continue to develop the Chronodate line. And we won’t forget the tourbillons that have made Angelus famous in recent years.

Arnold & Son Ultrathin Tourbillon

The emergence of the secondary market represents a major new development. Are you taking any steps to build a presence in preowned?

With Arnold & Son, we’re following the secondary market closely but we’re not currently interested in selling our own preowned pieces. However, we will authenticate any watch produced since 2012, free of charge, for our customers. That represents about ten pieces per month.

With Angelus, we receive daily questions about watches, mainly from the 1950s and 1960s. We try to provide as much information as possible, but we cannot offer any certification because, unfortunately, there are very few documents left from that period. However, we are gradually building up a collection of key pieces and archives.