EganaGoldPfeil produces 'National Geographic' watches

By JCK Online Staff -- JCK Online, 3/11/2004 2:00:00 AM

A new line of watches named for the National Geographic Society is being made and marketed by EganaGoldpfeil, a leader in licensed watches, under an agreement announced March 8 in Washington D.C., where the Society is headquartered. It’s the first time the 116-year old organization, one of the world’s largest nonprofit scientific and educational organizations, has licensed its name for use on a watch product. The line will be sold worldwide.

“The National Geographic Explorer Watch Collection” will debut in April in Switzerland at the international BaselWorld watch fair. It will be introduced to the U.S. market at The JCK Show ~ Las Vegas (June 4-8). Part of the sale of each watch supports the Society’s exploration, conservation, research, and education programs, says Franz Brunner, executive vice president of watch operations, EganaGoldpfeil USA, who oversaw development of the line.

The high-performance watches, many of them multi-functional, are stainless-steel, water resistant to 150 feet, and retail for $85 to $600.There are seven collections (Amazon, Canyon, Endeavor, Expedition, Himalayan, Pathfinder and Voyager) and two stand-alone models (The Pharaoh and The Stratus). All are men’s watches; a women’s line is coming soon. The primary retailers are jewelry stores, outdoors stores, and department stores.

The watches’ functionality and durability are field-tested by National Geographic writers, explorers, photographers, scientists, researchers, and filmmakers around the world in its “Gear on Assignment” program. “Our watch collection is a natural extension of the National Geographic lifestyle,” said John Dumbacher, the Society’s senior vice president of licensing. The watches “capture the essence of today’s explorers and embody the brand’s heritage,” agrees Brunner. They’re designed for “active, educated consumers who are fans of National Geographic, its programs, and magazine, and want a line of watches for casual and evening use.”

Founded in 1888, the National Geographic Society’s mission is to increase and diffuse geographic knowledge while promoting conservation of the world’s cultural, historical, and natural resources. It does so through its magazines (including its official journal, National Geographic, read monthly by 40 million people), maps, books, films, TV shows, interactive media, expeditions, and educational outreach programs.

EganaGoldpfeil, headquartered in Hong Kong, is a global leader in producing and distributing upscale timepieces, jewelry, leather and lifestyle products, with operations in 14 countries and distribution in 90, spanning Asia, Europe and the Americas. Its U.S. timepiece division is based in Pompano Beach, Fla. Watch brands of the EganaGoldfeil Group sold here by EganaGoldpfeil USA include Junghans, Carrera, Pierre Cardin, and the licensed brands Paolo Gucci and Field & Stream. The Group’s other licensed watch brands include Cerruti 1881, Esprit, and JOOP!