The Luxury Watchmaker

With designs for brands like Versace, Salvatore Ferragamo and Valentino to his credit, Giorgio Galli is a designer to be reckoned with in the world of high-end watch-making.
 
Galli, who sold his design studio to the Timex Group and now heads their Global Design Centre in Milan, was in Delhi to work on a project recently.  We caught up with him for a quick chat.

Is this your first trip to India? What's the agenda for your India trip?

No is not my first trip to India, I have been here several time, for business and leisure. I am in India these days to work with Timex India on the Helix [watch] project.

Since last year I have initiated a collaboration with Timex India that will bring me here few times a year.

What project(s) are you working on right now?

I am working on several brands so the product development is extended throughout the year. So it's a constant development for the Timex brands like Versace, Ferragamo, Helix, Nautica.

What are the current trends in watch design?

There is not a specific trend, the watch market is very much segmented. And by segment and region, the trends in product preferences change. As a macro trend I would say that men's watches are getting smaller and thinner, while women's watches are getting a bit larger.

You work on several brands including Ferragamo, Versace and Valentino - is there a different design philosophy for each brand?

Each brand has a different identity and DNA, with a very distinctive look and iconography. So the design philosophy is very different. When I start to design for one brand I am in the brand, I create thinking of the brand essence and identity, respecting totally the brand's philosophy which will [be seen] in the watch.

Which is your favorite watch?

The last one I have designed.