Simone Tamer: Up Close and Personal

Her vigorous personality can be read through the amazing blueness of her eyes; a force that gently blends with a great politeness and an extraordinary generosity in her way of communicating with people around her. This beautiful woman can practically be called 'royalty'. Elegant, intelligent and seductive, Simone Tamer is the typical example of the Lebanese woman. Interview.

Were you destined to take over the family business?

My father always left me the choice to decide which career I wanted, and I was lucky enough to find Tamer Frères, a department of which I like the product. Indeed, the luxury goods sales awakened my curiosity. I started in sales in the Montblanc boutique in the city center, where I was "junior sales staff," and I moved for 10 years in different sectors, such as marketing, billing, brand management, marketing management, and I was finally part of the luxury items division management 3 years ago.

Which trends have drawn your attention in the latest watch fairs of SIHH and Bâle?

During the SIHH, I was fascinated by the new collection of "Royal Oak Concept Supersonnerie" watches, a minute repeater with an extremely clear and sustained sound. The new collection "Royal Oak Offshore Diver Chronographe" brightens the colors of summer with blue, tangerine, lemon and lime. The new pieces that Montblanc has created this year are impressive, including Montblanc 4810, a collection that beautifully blends the functionality and masculine elegance while addressing the modern traveler.

In Bâle, the new Omega Speedmaster Grey Side of the Moon "Meteorite" caught my attention, a real piece of art since the use of a prehistoric meteorite that hit the Earth millenniums ago has allowed the brand to endow its new "Grey Side of the Moon" with an incredible dial. Also, the new Exospace B55 Breitling was distinguished by its new philosophy of connection putting the smartphone in the service of the watch in order to increase its functionality with a range of new options.

What are the trends that we will discover in 2017?

The brands will be unveiling their collections at the SIHH in January and at Bâle in March, trends have recently become a mixture of different materials, new materials used in luxury watches and special colors. Brands resort to new manufacturing technology in order to distinguish and identify with the brand. Quality remains a primary concern as well as the after-sales service.

Consult our August issue for the rest of the interview.