Monday, January 31, 2011

What Makes the Japanese Watch Industry Unique?

I still remember assisting my father in buying electronics back in my childhood days. They were times when we, being kids, were not aware of the brand cliché attached to almost every commodity, though we were still given one specification in mind while checking out the aisles in the supermarkets; "check out the made in Japan tag!" my father would always say.

Although years have passed and economies of the competing countries have had boosts too, but still whenever it comes to innovating electronic items, Japan leads the game. Same goes with the watch industry. From Seiko to Citizen, or be it Casio, Japanese watch industry has proven to be one of the ruling watch industries of the world.

Over the years, lifestyles changed and day by day; consumers became increasingly interested in brand names, styles and luxury items. This gave Swiss watch industry, major competitor of Japan in watches, a boom as their competitive edge has always been style and luxury. However, the masses still went for Japanese watches, because, as far as durability and quality were concerned, it were the evergreen Seiko or Citizen that offered value for less.

Critics may blame Japanese watches to be lacking in style or luxury, but who cares about the price tag attached if the status symbol is well-maintained via the mechanical innovations and the unique features associated to the brand complement your wrist.

Another major edge that has always been the hallmark associated with Japanese watches industry is their continuous research and development capability, resulting in the improved functionality and mechanics of Seiko watches. Years after years, Japanese have been busy meeting the increasing quality needs of their customers.

Japan has always come up with revolutions. Japanese established the de facto standard of watches which was not only profiteering for itself but was also facilitated the watch industry of the whole world. Seiko, starting with the first Quartz watch ever in the 60s, freed us from winding of the spring. Today, Citizen has developed this wireless watch for automobiles that has unleashed thousands of new secure and eased applications for the consumers.

Despite all the heights, this industry also has had its share of losses, especially, when we started taking technical innovation for granted, expecting novel products from the market in routine. This resulted in the decline of the formula that technology deserves high price. Also, with the increasing new entrants from other countries and rise and fall in the overall world economy, Japanese Watch manufacturers suffered. This industry managed to counter the trenches with the peaks by releasing different brands via the major players. Seiko and Citizen regularly came up with hit after hit and retained Japanese industry as the most selling industry among the world.

Summing up, this industry has players who know that technology will never be out of fashion. Further, they also know how to compete among themselves; thus, they cater to different target markets, resulting in the fact that the industry overall covers the whole different demographics of the world through its brands. No matter how corny it may sound, "Japanese watch industry is unique".




John P Stevens is a online marketer. Check out wide range of Seiko Watches and avail huge discounts on sale of these watches.

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