Newswire

PK Time Group LLC, North American distributor for Swiss watchmakers Aquanautic, Clerc, and Dubey & Schaldenbrand, has added high-end Swiss-made Russian-style VOLNA timepieces. Each collection is named for a submarine class of the Soviet era. VOLNA produces 500 watches for worldwide sale, with 150 for the U.S. market through PK Time. Retail prices for VOLNA begin at $4,900.

The Morellato & Sector Group, an international Italian watch and jewelry maker, has added India to its network. Morellato India Ltd., based in Mumbai, is a joint venture with Gitanjali Gems Ltd., a leader in the Indian jewelry market. The new company will distribute all the watch and jewelry brands of the Italian group and expects to open 50 points of sales in India in the next three years.

Upscale Swiss watch brand Xemex opened its first U.S. retail store in the Fashion Show Mall in Las Vegas in November. More than 120 guests attended an opening reception featuring brand designer, graphic artist, and photographer Ruedi Külling, who displayed examples of his work. A portion of proceeds from the reception and the first three days of sales at the new store went to the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Southern Nevada.

Serguei Beloussov, president of the Russian company SWsoft, was named European Entrepreneur of the Year 2007 by luxury watchmaker Audemars Piguet at a November gala in Switzerland. Audemars Piguet's “Changing Times Award” program spotlights European entrepreneurs whose companies have made the greatest impact on the most people in the previous three years. SWsoft employs 900 people and is active in the United States, Europe, and Asia.