http://timeandtidewatches.com/video-the-long-view-with-tag-heuers-ceo-jean-claude-biver/ Pretty hard to leave anything on the cutting room floor when talking with JC Biver!
Yes, great interview so far! I've watched half of it. JC Biver sure seems to have a real vision of changing the course of the brand from where it was! He kind of threw the previous regime under the bus (e.g. he commented that TAG shouldn't have changed the name from Heuer to TAG Heuer back in the 80's). I like the fact that he wants to make the brand available to all - hence the importance of the F1 series. Interesting take on how he has concerns about the Grand Carerra being viewed as superior to the Carerra. Anyway, I look forward to watching the second half tomorrow. Thanks for posting DC!
We never intended to make a mini-movie! Problem is that the answers are so interesting that you feel guilty for chopping it down to a 5 minute series of sound-bites. Yes, JCB does have strong view on the "previous" version of TAG Heuer. I think he meant more the 1980s approach rather than the Babin-era. Having said that, he has such clear and forceful views on most topics that I think he would find succeeding with someone else's strategy a little un-fulfilling.
I find the numbers interesting. It never crossed my mind before to consider the Connected watch relating to their manufacturing capabilities (i.e the possibly out of date figure of 100,00 capacity) and the confirmation of 80,000 units sold is quite staggering. If i recall correctly, the first full year of production for the 1887 didn't top 30,000 and that wasn't all sold. Definitely food for though as to the relevance of the product. The citing of 600,000 being a production figure is also interesting. For a start, it's a reduction from the typical 720,000-750,000. The question is whether the previous figures were over-estimates from sources or if it is a real reduction of production. I also now wonder how the 80,000 Connected figure fits in to that. Cheeky Swatch question snuck in that he plainly didn't want to answer directly.
Thought it was worth a try Of course, M. Biver used to work for Swatch Group, so I am sure that he has a very good perspective on what their strategy is, or at least was.
You know, I became fond of Mr. Biver the more I watched his video appearances. You can't but admire the turn around he brought to the brand, and it seems in a few years down the road, I am confident the perception of Tag Heuer among non-enthusiasts will definitely change, to the best. I don't think we will miss the Grand Carrera much, and will surely embrace upcoming reissues. Great video, thanks @D.C !
OK - finished the 2nd half! We're going to Mars!!! It will really be interesting to see where things are at in 2017. I'll need to invest in an automatic by then, as my quartz 2000 and F1 will be heading for extinction (maybe in another 62 years). Great interview DC and thanks again for sharing.
Very interesting video, thanks. He's certainly a talkative and enthusiastic fellow. Nor does it take much to amuse him. Can't disagree with him on much, though. No cheese offered afterwards?
I am wearing my Carrera SpaceX today and it came to me; will we have a second iteration themed mission to Mars?
Yes, a fantastic video and a likeable dude. So is all that to mean that the monstrosities currently populating the high end of the Carrera lineup were not influenced by Biver? They sure appear to be. Regardless - the decision to reissue the Autavia from the '60s is a necessary one that has been too long coming - and I come from the video having the feeling that Biver does indeed care about Heuer's past. I am extremely excited about TAG Heuer's lineup at Baselworld this year!
I am, of course, excited to see what gets revealed this year, but the Autavia reissue news already means I am skipping this year and waiting for next in terms of any purchases. At least that the current plan...
Oh, sure. But the "leak" photo of the Monza was really cool too! If the price is sane, I might be tempted...
The 2017 Autavia seems to be the most exciting piece for most of us. Yet, I am still not sure how popular the new 2016 Monza will be. This is where having a poll feature in the forum would be useful.
I hope so! I would have put the Camaro ahead of the Monza. Would also love to see another re-edition of the Siffert Autavia with the Heuer logo.
The Heuer Heritage line makes me wonder if the classic style Carrera would be part of that, leaving the modernised, modular Carrera as the "mainstream" model. If so then Carrera, Monaco, Autavia and Monza only leaves one.