Catch PEAKLIFE in colloquy with the duo behind Swisswatchcompany.in – Arun Marc D’Silva and Jayanti Varma – Co-Founders and Directors of India’s only exclusive online retailer for Swiss watch brands.
Introducing high-end Swiss luxury timepieces, Swisswatchcompany.in is an exclusive online boutique store for those seeking an easy shopping experience online. Showcasing unique designs and styles, the platform seeks to offer handpicked fine Swiss watches. Expect Alpina Watches, Wenger Watches, André Mouche, Victronix Watches, and many more!
Spearheading in the retail industry for two decades now, Co-Founders and Directors Arun Marc D’Silva and Jayanti Varma curated Swisswatchcompany.in 2020. Months into their journey, PEAKLIFE gets in conversation with the duo on the brand’s inception, philosophy, and more:
Q. Starting off, how did Swisswatchcompany.in come into being? What was the concept behind it?
Swiss Watch Company was thought till the pandemic hit us. But when we were locked up at home with very limited access to our customers, we decided it was time to make the thought a reality. So the concept is to offer Swiss watches with an authentic pedigree from a website created by people who understand and are knowledgeable about Swiss watches.
Q. As a brand that launched amidst the pandemic, what were some challenges you’ve had to face on a daily basis?
Actually, launching an online brand during the pandemic was quite an advantage. The website attracted a lot of attention and sales in the initial few months were excellent. As the markets opened and the curfews lifted and cities started going back to normal life, catching eyeballs and holding their attention is becoming increasingly challenging.
Q. What is the vision you carry for Swisswatchcompany.in, and what would you say is the unique focal point of the brand?
The vision is to provide India with its only truly Swiss experience in online shopping for watches. The uniqueness of this site is that it connects watch enthusiasts with exclusive watch brands in Switzerland. It, therefore, allows access to brands other than those available commercially or advertised a lot.
Q. What has the response been like so far for Swisswatchcompany.in?
It has sparked some curiosity among buyers as well as among lesser known brands in Switzerland. Manager and Andre Mouche are two Swiss brands that contacted us directly after they visited our website and found it fitted with their brand image.
Q. What are your thoughts on luxury horology finding a newfound love in the digital space? Do you think this is going to be the next big leader in the Indian market?
Surely this is not a question of “if it is going to be big “ but rather “when” it is going to explode. Everything points to a large segment of buyers (especially in the younger age groups) preferring the online experience to physical contact of stores.
Q. On that note, how do you think the horology industry has transformed post the pandemic? What do you think the customers are seeking today, especially in the Indian market?
The biggest transformation has been in attitude! Big brands got a shock when they were suddenly stuck with huge stocks and huge overheads and no sales. Well-established distributors and retailers suddenly realised that even lesser-known brands were valuable and could generate revenues. The entire ecosystem of horology world-wide has been transformed from one of aggressive advertising driven sales to a more mature customer focussed and communication-based model.
Q. What’s next for Swisswatchcompany.in? Any upcoming collaborations or collections to keep an eye out for?
Sure! We have a pipeline of brands and watch enthusiasts whom we are engaged with and the intent is to be the catalyst in building this synergy.
Q. Lastly, any success mantra or motto you live by?
Yes 🙂 Our mantra is and will always be – “People are the purpose of whatever we do… and if what we do is not fun, it’s not worth doing”
