17th India International Mega Watch & Clock Fair “Samaya Bharati 2014” will be held from Thursday, 1stMay to Sunday 4thMay 2014 at the Nehru Centre, Worli, Mumbai. The fair will be spread over 30,000 sq. ft at ground floor & upper level of Nehru Centre. The fair, a grand horological event is organized by India’s leading watch & clock magazine ‘Trade Post’, under the auspices of Watch Trade Federation and supported by other trade bodies.
“Samaya Bharati 2014” will be showcasing latest creations of watches, clocks, components, watch movements, watch straps /bracelets, packaging, accessories & lifestyle products.
The Fair will display latest products and innovations of around 100 brands from India, Switzerland, Japan, France, Belgium, USA, Korea, Middle East, Denmark, China, Hong Kong, Italy, Spain etc. Among some of the additional features of the up-coming edition will be the participation of many brands, which will be either entirely new or just debuted in India for the very first time. This will also include some of the Crème de la Crème brands. The new trend is seen in ceramic, rose gold, yellow gold and blackie watches with attractive packing.
Entry to “Samaya Bharati 2014” fair will be from 10 AM to 2 PM to business visitors and for general public from 3 PM to 7 PM, Free of Cost. During the last day, on Sunday, 4thMay, the fair will remain open to all throughout the day. There will be Convenient and ample parking for visitors.
Mr. Hemal Mihir Kharod, C.O.O. of Trade Post & Chief Organizer of the fair speaking about this industry at large, stated that the size of the Indian watch & clock industry is estimated to the tune of around Rs. 10,000 crore. The present levels of Import Duties, Multi-point Taxation and other Intermediary Levies imposed upon watches are far too high and at times going up to the extent of nearly 60% of the actual cost of the watch, making the product entirely unviable. Thus, the immediate need of the hour is to lower this structure to a fair play level and do away with the cascading effect it has on the final price of the product. This is also hindering the growth of the industry in India. If we compare the present govt. levies on watches in India, with those enjoyed by other lifestyle products in India such as writing instruments, eyewear, mobile phones, fragrances etc., watches are perhaps the only exception, which are riddled with the highest duty and taxation structure. Hence to augment expansion & growth of this industry in our country too, as happening internationally, it has to be given a fair play level or at least a level where it can stand comfortably. This in turn, will also help build a larger base of revenue earning for the country.
The segments in watch industry, which has great growth potential include Casual Wear (time keeping devise), Fashion Wear, Lifestyle Accessories, Status Symbol, Party Wear, Designer Wear, Sports Wear, Jewellery Watches, Kids Watches, Health Watches, antique watches etc.
This unique fair will have footfall of around 40,000 trade & other visitors. In this fair, manufacturers, distributors, agents, traders, retailers, mall owners, exporters, importers, designers & creative artists along with watch lovers across India and from abroad will meet, discuss, create leverage, explore new opportunities and share their experiences and views at the event, thereby creating a kinship amongst the entire fraternity. Thus, the fair shall provide extremely good opportunities of networking amongst the trade participants with prospective brands and to establish new business contacts.
