Once upon a time... Debraj Sengupta, country head, shares with us the journey of a brand, from selling knives to timeless timepieces

Once upon a time...

Debraj Sengupta, country head, shares with us the journey of a brand, from selling knives to timeless timepieces

Time and history come together to tell a tale with exciting characters and interesting plots. And that is what Victorinox, as a brand, ties together perfectly. "Victorinox has a 127-year-old history and we have used that exquisitely to make time-telling pieces — watches," says Debraj Sengupta, country head, Victorinox Swiss Army Watches. Although the company has only been in India for three years, Victorinox is a familiar name in every household, says Sengupta. "Everybody has owned or lost one Victorinox Swiss Army Knife!" he laughs, talking about the mother brand that owns the watch division. The shift in the company's offering from Swiss knives to an umbrella of other products occurred after the 9/11 attacks, claims Sengupta. "After the twin towers were attacked, pocket knives were banned at airports because of which we lost about 50% of our revenue. That is when we decided to diversify into other products like knives, watches, luggage, perfume and apparel,” he says. In India, Victorinox offers three products — knives, luggage and watches. While many companies might try and create a separate identity when they launch a new product, Victorinox Watches decided to integrate the history of Swiss knives into their products. "Victorinox Swiss Army timepieces are inspired by one of the most well-known products in history — the 'Original Swiss Army Knife'. Both the products are a true icon and identity of the Swiss love for detail, precision and simplicity," says Sengupta proudly. Making watches is considered an art in itself. Although it may seem simple with three hands telling you the time as they go around a dial, there is a lot of work taking place behind the ticking. "A watch is like wine in many ways. You need to twirl it, sniff it, and then slowly taste it. Only then will you cherish it," says Sengupta. "A watch is not like an integrated electronic gadget that you get these days that has many features and add-on applications to suit your needs. The beauty of our watches is that they can measure time accurately even without an electronic circuit." Sengupta emphasises that every Victorinox watch is unique and justifies a specific purpose. "We try to make watches that suit the needs of every individual, right from a diver, a trekker to a businessman. Whoever it is, we make a watch that fits their requirements and is perfect for them!" A watch can quantify many ways to define a person, which is why the material used in the making of a watch is equally important. "We have watches studded with precious stones for women who love jewellery," says Sengupta. "They are the perfect combination of metal and stone, giving it a very classy look." Even though the main purpose of a watch is to tell time, it is an added advantage when it can perform several other tasks. "We have a path-finder watch which allows you to set up a path. If you deviate, a light at the top starts blinking red and if you are on the correct path, it blinks green," explains Sengupta. If you thought that history and exquisiteness come at a steep price, you are surely mistaken. "Our key idea was to offer customers a watch that was not only made with the best quality materials and gave the time accurately but also a watch that was cost-effective," he says. "In a market like India, being cost-effective is very important." Asked what the inspiration behind new designs is, Sengupta answers, "Everything from the rugged mountains to underwater scenary inspires our watches. For example, for a busy man like me, there is a watch that beeps every minute. That way I know the time without even looking at the watch. I can actually hear time!" he exclaims. As people love to hear stories, Victorinox decided to ask their customers to narrate their Swiss watch experiences. "We always got letters from people telling us interesting stories about their Swiss knife. Many of my friends also had anecdotes about misplacing their Swiss knife at the airport! So, we decided to compile these stories and share them with the world," says Sengupta. One can read interesting anecdotes on their website about every product like, for example, how a diver found a Victorinox watch, ticking away deep under the Adriatic sea. "There are so many such stories that we have received. And to be in the know that each of our pieces has a story of its own is heartening," he smiles. As the country head of a brand that is rich in culture and history, Sengupta finds a new experience everyday in his job. "Victorinox has taught me how to blend history and time to make something beautiful. Also, the journey and quality of the mother brand has been my source of inspiration," he says. Naturally, keeping up with changing times is equally important, says Sengupta. "We have to stay aware of the latest trends because that is what helps us to create designs for every purpose." Time goes by, they say. And if you wish to cherish every moment with distinct style, Victorinox will offer you just that!