LONGINES PRESIDENT Walter von Kanel is proud that the company first exported watches to China in 1867, just 15 years after the firm was established.
He has had a personal association with China since he represented the company in Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou and opened Longines' operation in Hong Kong in 1974.
'Hong Kong has always been important in our history and now China is by far our No1 market,' he said.
'Today, with the opening of the mainland, Hong Kong is the first destination for Chinese tourists. The volume of Longines' business in Hong Kong and China is now so important that it influences the full collection in lines such as La Grande Classique, evidenza and DolceVita.
'We have even adapted some of our models specifically for the Hong Kong market, introducing a much higher proportion of automatic models than we sell in other parts of the world.'
Mr von Kanel said the four most important ranges by Longines were the Grand Classique, evidenza, DolceVita and the Master Collection. The Master Collection was so successful it became the fourth-most important range five months after it was launched.