Blink International to introduce affordable designer watches

Tuesday, 9 December 2014 00:03 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Guy Laroche, Cross and Elle Timepieces soon in the market

Blink International, a subsidiary of Rainco, was formed in 2013 by a group of ardent watch enthusiasts who had identified a gap in the local mid range (sub $1,500) watch segment. Rainco, a leading brand for rainwear in South Asia with a presence in India, Maldives and Sri Lanka, has once again displayed its innovation and forward-thinking by catering to a much-needed segment with the establishment of Blink International.

A budding enterprise catering to the middle class segment of the local watch and accessories market, Blink international currently represents brands such as Sevenfriday, Guy Laroche, Elle (Time) and Cross (Timepieces). Despite being in business for merely a year, Blink International has seen tremendous success locally with Sevenfriday, hence their decision to introduce Guy Laroche, Cross and Elle as well. Rainco and Blink International Director Faris Fausz said: “As veterans within the merchandising industry in Sri Lanka, we are confident that Blink International will succeed. We are thrilled to handle such a range of illustrious brands and look forward to yet another successful business venture.” Sevenfriday has taken the watch industry by storm the world over with their range of design based watches inspired by Industries, Machinery and Art and are currently available within the range of Rs. 138,000 to Rs. 200,000. The Guy Laroche (Far East collection) is available from Rs. 15,000 to Rs. 40,000, while Guy Laroche (Swiss Collection) is priced from Rs. 45,000 to Rs. 128,000. Cross timepieces could be bought from within Rs. 15,000 to Rs. 50,000, while Elle (Time and Jewellery) has three selections, namely Elle Girl (teenage) Rs. 3,900 to Rs. 5,500, Elle Time (ladies) Rs. 11,500 to Rs. 35,000 and Elle Homme (men’s) from Rs 30,000 to 40,000. Notan Tolani and Vishal Tolani, Directors of Solar Time Ltd., as the sole licensee and manufacturer of A.T. Cross for Timepieces and Men’s Accessories, said: “We are pleased to be associated exclusively with Blink International to market our complete range of Cross timepieces, we are excited at this opportunity and confident it will prove to be a hit in Sri Lanka.” Blink International Director Muhammed Mansoor said that as the festive season draws near, the range of watches marketed by Blink International would make ideal corporate as well as personal gifts. “Today a watch denotes your lifestyle, your persona and your status; it is not a mere timepiece or a convenience but a lifestyle statement. We at Blink International have identified that and are catering to it.” Blink International’s future plans include adding more trendy fashion brands to the current portfolio, as well as opening a chain of retail stores in the upcoming malls. Topbrands Group Head of Sales Cedric Baubet said: “As one of the world’s leading fashion watch brands, we are pleased to market Elle’s exclusive line of watches in Sri Lanka. We look forward to partnering with Blink and Rainco in this exciting new venture.” Cross, Elle and Guy Laroche will be available at Hameedias, Cool Planet, Fashion Bug and all major fashion retail stores, while further details could be obtained from www.blink.lk.