Bedat & Co

Bedat & Co
Privately Held Company
Industry Luxury Watch Manufacturing
Founded 1996
Founder Simone Bédat
Headquarters Geneva, Switzerland
Products Wristwatches
Website www.bedat.com

Bedat & Co is a Swiss watch brand that specializes in feminine luxury timepieces. The company was founded by Simone Bédat.[1] Bedat & Co watches are sold on four continents.

Today, Bedat & Co is owned by LuxuryConcepts SA, a Geneva-based firm.[2]

History

After more than 50 years of experience in the watch industry, Simone Bédat decided to create her own brand, in 1996. The first collection of timepieces, the N°3, N°7.Ref. 304 and Ref. 314 was presented in 1997 during BaselWorld.[3]

In 2000, Gucci Group acquired 85% of Bedat & Co with Simone Bédat serving as the chairwoman.[4]

In 2006, Simone and Christian Bédat departed from the company making the Gucci Group the sole owner of Bedat & Co.[2] Following their departure, the Bedat & Co's company worked with new designers.

In 2008, the Swiss watch brand launched its very first stand alone boutique in Kuala Lumpur, the opening of which was officiated by the Queen of Malaysia, Her Majesty Sultanah Nur Zahirah.[5]

In 2009, Malaysia based company, LuxuryConcepts SA announced their acquisition of Bedat & Co. In spite of this, the brand remains a 100% Swiss company with global distribution.[6]

In 2010, Bedat & Co returned to the roots and worked again with the designer Dino Modolo for the last collection.[7]

Swiss A.O.S.C.®

All Bedat & Co watches come with the Swiss A.O.S.C.® certification. The A.O.S.C.® is Appellation d’Origine Suisse Certifiée, or Swiss Certified Label of Origin that guarantees that the watch is 100% made and assembled in Switzerland using a case, movement, dial and hands manufactured in Switzerland.[8]

Collection

Bedat & Co watches are inspired by Art Deco spirit and lines.[1]

Bedat & Co comprises 5 collections. Each collection has a number: 1, 2, 3, 7 and 8. Numbers, instead of names, were deemed the best identifications of collection. Unlike names, numbers can be easily translated through countries throughout the world, whereas names would supposedly be very difficult to comprehend or spell.[1]

Each number corresponds to a form of shape:

Bedat & Co Novelties 2014 is inspired by the exquisite work of leading art deco artist Paul Kiss- whose work is renowned for its sweeping feminine curves. The collection captures the spirit and glamour of the art deco age that swept across Europe in the 1920s.[10]

BaselWorld

The models launched in 2011 include the new Ref. 830.030.100, a line of ladies’ chronograph with 60-second and 9 o’clock counters.[11] This is the brand’s first model to offer such popular function, and is also distinguished by the snow setting on the bezel – a technique consisting in arranging different sized tiny diamonds nestled close together to form a sparkling gemstone carpet entirely concealing the metal beneath.[11]

The brand’s No. 1 collection has also been given a new design.[11]

Another interesting new model for the brand comes in the shape of the Ref. 315.040.019 – which offers a visual effect topped with a bezel featuring a unique random setting composed of 390 diamonds, and fitted with a hand-sewn alligator strap.[11]

Bedat & Co has been exhibiting in Baselworld every year. In 2013, Bedat & Co was housed in Hall 1.1 where only the prestigious brands are located in the hall.[12]

Accolade

In United Brands Lists of Top 10 Industry Brands for 2011, Bedat & Co was ranked No. 6 under the category of Top 10 Watch Brands – Diamond.[13]

Bedat & Co has been a favourite award winner for the Starhill Gallery’s Watch of The Year Awards, dubbed as the Oscar’s of the world of horology that is hold annually alongside Asia’s grandest and largest luxury watch and jewellery exhibition, “A Journey Through Time” that takes place in Starhill Gallery, Kuala Lumpur.

Ambassador & Celebrity

Yolanda Foster, former supermodel and TV reality star became BEDAT & CO brand ambassador in 2003.Married to Grammy Award winning Canadian producer and songwriter David Foster, she is recognized of her campaign for awareness against Lyme Disease, a condition which she suffers herself.[20]

Eleanor Cardozo, a contemporary figurative artist was recognised as Bedat & Co’s ambassador and “Woman of Calibre”.[21]

Mandy Santos, a Philippines designer and entrepreneur of Solene Garments that designs and manufactures Tarte Tatin, a one-stop shop that offers footwear and accessories for mothers and toddlers [22] was chosen as Bedat & Co’s “Woman of Calibre”.[23] Mandy is also a favourite cover girl of the Philippines top lifestyle magazine.[22]

During Kimora Lee Simmons’ visit to Malaysia for the 2013 Formula One Grand Prix and the launch of the Starhill Gallery Luxury Channel, Bedat & Co was chosen as the watch brand to style her.[24]

British Mezzo Soprano, Carly Paoli, was appointed as a brand Ambassador in September 2014.[25] Since her appointment, she had performed at David Forster’s concert alongside Steven Tyler and Oscar winning actress Jennifer Hudson as well as Jackie Evancho.[26] She was also privileged to be invited to perform at the International Women's Media Foundation Courage in Journalism Awards (IWMF) in Los Angeles. The performance ended with a rousing reception.[27] She made the Asian debut in Malaysia at 'A Journey Through Time VIII' Asia's grandest watch and jewellery showcase held at Starhill Gallery, Kuala Lumpur.[28]

References

  1. 1 2 3 Nadal, Nana (2009-12-04). "Luxury Timepieces with a Feminine Spirit". Manila Standard Today. Archived from the original on 2011-02-20. Retrieved 2011-02-20.
  2. 1 2 Bobolicu, Georgiana (2009-02-27). "Bedat & Co., Taken Over by Malaysian Company". Softpedia. Archived from the original on 2011-02-20. Retrieved 2011-02-20.
  3. ↑ "Founders of BEDAT & C° Sophisticated Watches". Fox's Gem Shop, http://www.foxsgemshop.com. Retrieved May 18, 2011. External link in |publisher= (help)
  4. ↑ Constanza, Frank S. (2000-21-13). "Gucci Acquires Bedat & Co.". AllBusiness.com. Archived from the original on 2011-02-20. Retrieved 2011-02-20. Check date values in: |date= (help)
  5. ↑ "Queen at watch boutique launch at Starhill". Star Metro, http://thestar.com.my/. January 3, 2009. Retrieved February 23, 2011.
  6. ↑ Ariel Adams. "Bedat & Co. Watch Company Saved: Sold To Malaysian Firm". Luxist, http://www.luxist.com. Retrieved May 18, 2011. External link in |publisher= (help)
  7. ↑ Wei Koh (June 2010), Bedat & Co.: Ascension of the brand, YTL Community, http://www.ytlcommunity.com, retrieved May 18, 2011 External link in |publisher= (help)
  8. ↑ europa star", The grand dance of the hypocrites, October 17, 2011
  9. ↑ My Lifestyle News, The Feminine Luxury Of Time @ BEDAT & Co, October 26, 2011
  10. ↑ http://www.roseironworks.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=95&Itemid=117
  11. 1 2 3 4 Bedat, The Couture Show, http://www.thecoutureshow.com, May 6, 2011, retrieved Jun 17, 2011 External link in |publisher= (help)
  12. ↑ BaselWorld, Exhibitor Information, July 16, 2013
  13. ↑ IDEX Online", United Brands Lists Top 10 Industry Brands For 2011, May 26, 2011
  14. ↑ 'YTL Community", A star-studded affair at Starhill Gallery’s A Journey Through Time III, December 14, 2009
  15. ↑ "A Journey Through Time", A Joyous finale at Starhill Gallery's A Journey Through Time IV, December 13, 2010
  16. ↑ Starhill Gallery, Seven Winners Crowned At Starhill Gallery's 'A Journey Through Time V, December 10, 2011
  17. ↑ Starhill Gallery, A Fitting Finale to a Marvellous Journey, December 2, 2012
  18. ↑ http://my.asiatatler.com/events/starhill-gallery-watch-and-jewellery-awards-2013
  19. ↑ https://www.facebook.com/BedatandCo/posts/10152454655226776
  20. ↑ http://www.irdirect.net/pr/release/mw/131073441
  21. ↑ World Tempus, Bedat & Co Eleanor Cardozo, May 9, 2012
  22. 1 2 "The Philippine Star, Model Mandy Santos designs for moms and kids, September 26, 2012
  23. ↑ The Philippine Star, Mandy Santos is Bedat & Co’s woman of caliber, November 28, 2012
  24. ↑ Starhill, Starhill Issue 6, July 16, 2013
  25. ↑ http://www.carlypaoli.com/rnews?read=37
  26. ↑ http://markets.financialcontent.com/mi.kansascity/news/read/28415349/
  27. ↑ http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2815257/Carly-Paoli-honours-Pulitzer-Prize-winning-photojournalist-International-Women-s-Media-Foundation-Courage-Awards.html
  28. ↑ http://www.carlypaoli.com/rnews?read=41

External links

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