In 2004, at the Basel exhibition, Martin presented the revolutionary Heliocentric model with a reflection on the dial of the position of the earth in solar orbit and a demonstration of the current zodiac sign
The opening of the Martin Braun boutique took place on the territory of Bin Hendi Avenue in the popular tourist center Deira City Center in October. We managed to meet and talk with the founder of the company and the creator of the brand, Martin Brown.
- Mr. Brown, of all the watch models you have ever created, which ones are the most valuable to you?
- I think that EOS. It was my first watch, made with the expectation of worldwide recognition. Work on them gave me the most trouble. I gave all my free time to create them for five years. If you already have sufficient experience in the watch industry, then you know the right factory where they can realize your ideas. But when you just start, you have to knock on every door, and they can promise you something that they can’t do. And you wait for the results and lose time.
Because of this empty running around, in order to finish my project, I needed a lot more energy and finances than I had imagined at the beginning. But with the acquisition of experience, the creation of my subsequent models took me a little over a year.
- This year, 51% of your company was transferred to the Franck Muller Group. Why did you decide on this step?
- Imagine - you have a completely unique product that you need to adequately bring to the international market. But you do not have distributors, your own salons for sales and promoters .... This is a necessary circle of people that cannot be dispensed with in the watch business; it is simply impossible to solve all the issues yourself. When I was first at the exhibition in Basel, various distribution companies offered me their services. Everyone told about himself that he was the largest. But how do you know who you can trust your precious brainchild? And, as it turned out, it’s not so easy to enter a company that is truly serious and strong. I think we were very lucky with the Franck Muller Group. They have a wide sales network and have excellent contacts all over the world.
Although, I want to note that in the Russian market our products have been presented since 2005, even before the partnership. By the way, it is very difficult to work with government agencies in your country - the process of solving bureaucratic procedures is too lengthy.
- Can you somehow characterize the buyer of Martin Braun watches, who is your main customer?
- We very often hold shows in America, and I see that the people who come to them with our wrist watches are of completely different ages and professions. Despite this, I try to create a watch in the classical style, so that after ten years the person who bought Martin Braun could say that he made a good choice. My watch does not depend on fashion trends.
- Perhaps that is why all your watches are focused only on men?
- To create a watch for women, you need to hire a special designer, I, unfortunately, do not have such a flight of fancy. Women buy with their eyes, focusing primarily on appearance, while men pay attention to technical specifications. A man is a big child, he will always love toys that become more complicated with age.
The complete set of some models of my watches is so complicated that before using them you need to carefully study the instructions. Many find it fascinating.
Of course, we also have simpler models to understand. For example, Selene, one of my last creations, is much more convenient to use. And outwardly brighter than the previous ones. Although, according to the technical characteristics, this watch is one of the best. There are many well-known companies that produce watches with a lunar indicator. But I am very proud that Selene is the only watch with a real lunar indicator, without the error that is present in all other manufacturers. Selene, unlike other watches, shows the beginning of a new moon, when it is still impossible to notice with the naked eye, but you can already see it through a telescope.
And, of course, I cannot help but recall my first creation of ESO, for its uniqueness. All over the world there are only two hours, besides these, which have indicators for sunrise and sunset. Here competition is almost ruled out.
