Sure, On paper it sounds all impressive – World’s largest watch fair has a dedicated section for brands which feature 125 fashion brands from 105 countries blah blah, but the truth is that most of them failed to impress. I did, however, chose to write about a select few:

 

SWC's D-Factory

D-Factory is a new sports fashion brand by the Samsung watch group. It’s really well done for an affordable sports fashion brand. It first made it’s debut last year at the Hong Kong Fair. (link)

 

We are Gang

We are Gang is a trendy hip hop wannabe Chinese brand that up till now repurposed knock off cases for their watches and drowned their booth with endless vinyl toys. This year though, they’ve stepped up and branched towards creating a few original pieces. (link)

 

Voila

Voila is a Hong Kong based fashion jewelry brand by Roger Khemlani, a local Industry Veteran of Indian origin. (link)

 

UK

UK-German Design is a no-nonsense U-Boat knock off.

 

Wize & Ope

Wize & Ope is a new french brand that allows you to disassemble the watch easily so that you can accessorize it by changing the strap or the design of the watch by yourself. (link)

 

Levi's

Levi’s, licensed to O.D.M design. Nuff’ said.

 

Jeep

Jeep was previously licensed to someone else who ran several ridiculous brands such as the Fishbone. As predicted, they didn’t sell well and they lost the license to the Jeep watch and this year marked the relaunch of the brand under it’s new license holder who happens to have the Mini car license as well.

 

Ex Time

Ex Time is licensed from the Extreme Channel that you get on television. Nothing special to see here but there is definately a lot of opportunity for this brand to grow into something good.

 

Dockers

O.D.M launched Dockers this year as part their grand licensing strategy.

related links

Brand Name Gallery 2008 

We are Gang!

D-Factory

Wize & Ope

Voila Watches