Mondaine, Grimoldi Strengthen U.S. Distribution
By William George Shuster, Senior Editor -- JCK-Jewelers Circular Keystone, 10/1/2003
Two upscale brands made changes this summer affecting their U.S. distribution. Swiss Army Brands Inc. (SABI) is now the U.S. distributor of Mondaine's Swiss Railways Watch and Clock collection. SABI is a wholly owned subsidiary of Victorinox A.G.
The joint announcement was made in July by SABI, based in Shelton, Conn., and Mondaine, a popular mid-priced Swiss watch brand headquartered in Zurich. SABI will distribute Mondaine through department stores, watch and design specialty stores, and select jewelers.
The design of Mondaine's collection is based on the readable-at-a-glance Swiss Railways clock, designed in the 1940s and still used in Swiss railway stations. The collection includes the classic Stop to Go watch, with accelerated second hand; the Meeting Point desk clock; and the 40-mm Big Size Big Date watch. For information, call (800) 243-4057.
Grimoldi Milano, the Italian luxury watch brand, established a U.S. office and showroom in New York City in July. It handles sales and distribution of the company's Swiss-made timepieces, known primarily for their large oval shapes. The brand had been distributed by Helvetia Time of Wilkes-Barre, Pa.
Barbara Kogan-Bodine, the new managing director of Grimoldi Milano USA, will oversee the North American sales force. She's the former director of International Sales at Gori & Zucchi Inc. and Liz Claiborne.
For information, contact Grimoldi Milano USA, 12 W. 57th St., Suite 1004, New York, NY 10019; (212) 726-3006, www.grimoldiwatches.com.
