WTI: Why the interest in producing luxury watch safes and winders?

B&Z: We (Harald and Christian) started off in the watch and jewellery industry as gemstone dealers specializing in Australian Opals in 1991 (the idea came to us during a trip to Australia). It seemed a great way to finance our university studies at the time, although we both knew that this business would never turn full-time.

That's when we realised the demand of high-end presentation and packaging of fine jewellery and watches. With this idea BUBEN&ZORWEG was born in 1994 (company was founded in 1995).

We started producing TIME MOVER® in 1997 (while we were still students), during a time when there was no real market for watch winders. Of course, there were some winders on the market, but no one cared about the technology or presentation. So we decided to introduce the brand TIME MOVER® which, nowadays, is a synonym for german quality, fine materials and design.

WTI: Which markets perform well for you?

B&Z: Europe, eastern Europe and central Asia have always been our main markets. Today, we are very successful in China and our boutique in Singapore is the best sales point of B&Z in the world.

But also Russia, Germany, Switzerland and England are important markets.

WTI: What are your views on the current state of the luxury watch industry?

B&Z: The industry grows every few years and we think that we will grow in the next years rapidly again. The whole industry has to get more modern, more flexible. In the last few years, the industry too has realised the need to move towards a more modern approach rather than just the traditional.

WTI: How has the market performance been in India?

B&Z: We grew fast. Over the years, the Indian market has become very important for BUBEN&ZORWEG which resonates through our partnerships with various important brands in the country.

WTI: Has there been an increase in the women client database?

B&Z: Women play an important role when it comes to the aesthetics and design of their house. They also possess a lot of valuables which they need to keep safe. We have tried to reach more and more women in the last few years. The percentage of women, who buy a BUBEN&ZORWEG masterpiece is growing.

WTI: Since they are all bespoke lines, would you say demand plays a far more important role to you than the supply or is it vice-versa?

B&Z: We try to fulfil the wishes of our customers. So we try to design and develop solutions suitable to our customers need.

WTI: What are some of the exclusive materials used by you?

B&Z: The masterpieces are 100% designed and made in Germany in our manufactory, which is located in the heart of Germany’s engineering region near Stuttgart.

It all starts with the beauty that nature has to offer. Selecting raw material. The pattern of the rare macassar ebony which gained it's popularity in the art deco area and will live on in emotional modern Art deco design DNA. It comes naturally that BUBEN&ZORWEG sources

and selects worldwide only the very finest veneers. 
For the housing we use selected woods such as macassar, high quality carbon fibre, fine leather, etc. - whatever the customer desires. Our aim is to create masterpieces that address all senses and fathoms the dimensions of exceptional taste. Exquisite materials, innovative technology, optimum security solutions and fascinating design hand-crafted by masters of their art become solitary objects of desire for people with a sense for the exclusive aesthetics of perfection.

Other materials used for our masterpieces are for example Ebony Grigio, Alcantara and Nappa Leather.

WTI: What are your views on the e-commerce industry? Will Buben&Zorweg also venture towards that side?

B&Z: We can’t say what’s the direction we go in future. It (e-commerce) gets more and more important each day but our masterpieces need lots of explanation and consulting. We would like to maintain this special service for our customers on a more personal basis.