This month we invite you to read our feature with Murat Ünal. Ünal is the founding partner of Arte Gioia, the unique address for luxury horology brands such as Cartier, Franck Muller, Audemars Piguet, Ulysse Nardin, Richard Mille, Bovet, Cvstos, Blancpain, Glashütte.
You represent one of the most important sales points in horology in Turkey. Would you tell us about your company?
Arte Gioia was started up in February 2003. The aim has been to present a boutique horology shop for customers who are passionate about watches, and to offer them the world renowned brands and intricate, sophisticated design pieces.
Rather than being a sales point, our philosophy focuses on providing exclusive services to the clientele with a passion for watches. Arte Gioia is the meeting point for jewel like horology brands like Cartier, Franck Muller, Audemars Piguet, Ulysse Nardin, Richard Mille, Bovet, Cvstos, Blancpain, Glashütte; hand crafted pen brands such as OMAS, Tibaldi, Viskonti, watch cases by Scatola Del Tempo and clocks by the likes of Erwin Sattler.
With our first boutique in Akmerkez, we came to be known as the sought after address for collectors as well as watch buyers. Our clientele name our boutique as the Mecca for pens and watches since they can find the unique collections of almost all exclusive brands.
The critical point behind this well deserved success is our focus on customer satisfaction. Our clients have very busy schedules and therefore to facilitate things for them and let them enjoy the whole journey, we try to serve them in the comfort of their offices or residences.
We work together with a team of experts in horology as well as luxury services. I can easily claim that our sales personel as well as our after- sales team are the pioneers in their fields of expertise.
Our clientele not only encounter the experience of owning an item of desire, but also the sensation of real luxury service. Our second boutique in Istinye Park Shopping Mall, due to open in March 2010, will also be a meeting point for all horology lovers.
The brands at Arte Gioia are;
Watches: Cartier, Frank Muller, Ulysse Nardin, Audemars Piguet , Corum, Richard Mille, Graham, Romain Jerome, Blancpain, Glashütte, Jacob & Co, Erwin Sattler, IWC, Cvstos, Bovet, Girard & Perregaux, Roger Dubuis, Carl F. Bucherer, Porche Design
Horology accessories: Buben & Zorweg, Scatola del Tempo
Pens: OMAS (we are also the licensed distributor for the brand), Viskonti, Tibaldi, Atelier Simoni.
Mobile units: Vertu
Cuffs: Milus
Is it a male oriented world? Could you dwell on the topic?A watch is an important item of accessory for men. That is why the collections extensively leverage models suitable for men. Watches can be designated as the unique accessory for men.Of course the interpretation can change among different brands.Specific to the brand and the collection, the designs tend to reflect male or female features. Jewellery is the key element in choice in accessories for women. When it comes to a choice of watch, design and the specific model plays an important role.
For male clientele, the mechanism involved in the system of the watch plays an equally important role in the choice made. This can be resembled to the motor of a car. A male is interested in the power of the motor in the car he is about to purchase. With the same instinct, a male customer is interested in the motor system of the watch he is about to buy.
The watch he wears is as important as the car he drives.
Today, the new trend is to own different models and different brands to be worn on different occasions. Therefore, the client has a chance choose the one that best suits the occasion and complements his outfit. A watch which can be worn with a suit for a formal occasion is different from the one that can be worn while doing sports. As ladies compliment their outfits with different pieces of jewellery, a watch for a man is a critical accessory to put the final touches to an outfit. The choice of a watch is a reflection of a man’s taste as well as his interest and passion. To sum it up, a watch is an accessory of prestige, an item of differentiation, reflecting a man’s gusto.
What are the accessories that compliment a watch? Items that passionate customers cannot live without?
Special boxes as well as cases that contain mechanisms to wind up are the must have items on the list. These cases are not only important for reasons of functionality but also provide aesthetic as well as visual display benefits.
From simpler, amateur executions to precision made professional versions, they come in different product groups. The wide spread categorical name is ‘watch winder’.These units help wind the mechanism when not in use so that the power reserves are not depleted. With fine craftsmanship and high quality materials, they serve as decorative objects for home as well as office use. For customers who value security, there are cases furbished with bullet proof glass.
At Arte Gioia, we offer our clientele cases from the most prestigous brands such as Scatola del Tempo and Buben & Zorweg. Scatola del Tempo represent a more classical interpretation with use of fine wood and leather whereas Buben & Zorweg focus on modern design.
Could you provide information on the exclusive mobile phone line Vertu, designed by the jewellery house Boucheron?
Vertu design initiates from the concept that comfort in daily life is hidden behind intricate details. All Vertu phones boast high quality materials and craftsmanship. It leverages image attributes and to endorse comfortable usage integrates high quality standards.
With anti-scratch saphire crystal screens, its unique metal case, rubies embedded under its key pad, golden circuits, and exclusively recorded ring tones, are the basic characteristics of Vertu design.
Are there avid watch collectors in Turkey?
First of all, we need to differentiate between a collector and a person who has keen interest in horology. Collectors specifically seek special models, brands or collection pieces.There are collectors and there are people with keen interest in watches.
In Turkey, there are people who represent both groups. They closely follow the sector, the advances, the new trends. They nurture knowledge and interest.
The art of horlogy has its unique set of mission, philosohy and dynamics. And for those who set out to venture into this realm, interest can easily evolve into a passion.
Arte Gioia, Akmerkez: 0212 282 19 01 www.artegioia.com
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