Hello everyone, welcome to The India Opportunity Show where you get a front-row seat to people building India’s future. We talk about unlocking the potential of the country with founders, investors, creators, and successful leaders from different fields to bring you real-life stories and behind-the-scenes of what it takes to be at the forefront of building the India Story.
Episode 2, Season 5 of The India Opportunity Show is out now! You can watch it on YouTube or listen on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.
Tissot sells roughly 1 in 3 Swiss watches exported worldwide. But what does the CEO of one of Switzerland’s most recognisable watch brands think Indian buyers are getting right?
In this episode of The India Opportunity, I sit down with Sylvain Dolla, Global CEO of Tissot, the 173-year-old Swiss watchmaker that, for many Indians, has been their first “real” watch.
India has grown to become Tissot’s third-largest market, and Sylvain believes the opportunity here is only getting bigger.
We talk about how Indian consumers are evolving, what makes this market different from China, Europe and the US, and how Tissot thinks about building a global brand while staying relevant across very different cultures and generations.
Sylvain Dolla is the Global CEO of Tissot, part of the Swatch Group, and has led the brand through one of its most interesting periods of growth and reinvention.
Under his leadership, Tissot has successfully brought heritage products back into contemporary culture, most notably with the revival of the PRX, while continuing to expand in major international markets including India.
Our conversation goes beyond watches. It is also a fascinating look at consumer behaviour, brand building, product cycles and what it takes for a 173-year-old company to remain culturally relevant.
Key Takeaways
1. India is no longer a market where consumers want a separate “India product”
One of Sylvain’s most interesting observations is that Indian consumers increasingly want the same global bestsellers as buyers in markets such as France and Italy.
The difference? Indian customers often gravitate towards products that have a little more presence and visibility on the wrist.
2. The PRX revival massively exceeded Tissot’s expectations
When Tissot brought the PRX back from its archives, the team knew there was potential. They did not expect demand to explode the way it did.
At one stage, demand was nearly 30 times higher than their initial expectations, turning the PRX into one of the brand’s defining products of this generation.
3. Your first watch collection does not need to be complicated
I asked Sylvain which three watches he would recommend to a 24-year-old buying their first serious watches.
His framework is refreshingly simple: start with versatile pieces that work across different parts of your life rather than chasing complexity, hype or an oversized collection.
We also discuss his recommendations for women building their first watch wardrobe.
4. Smartwatches have not killed the traditional watch
Despite years of predictions that Apple Watches and other wearables would replace mechanical and quartz watches, Tissot has continued to grow.
Sylvain explains why the two categories increasingly serve different purposes and why younger consumers are once again discovering watches as objects of style, identity and craftsmanship.
5. India could become one of Tissot’s most important markets globally
Tissot entered India early, with the Swatch Group making a serious commitment to the country more than two decades ago.
That long-term presence is now paying off. India has become Tissot’s third-largest market, with rising incomes, greater global exposure and a rapidly expanding premium consumer base creating a much larger opportunity ahead.
Chapters
00:00 Intro
01:47 Building a first watch collection for a 24-year-old
04:18 What stood out about the Indian market
06:31 The most surprising trend among Indian watch buyers
07:10 Are watches getting smaller?
07:47 Tissot’s plans for India
09:51 Why the Swatch Group invested in India 24 years ago
11:57 The PRX revival story
20:43 How close is Tissot to selling 1 in 3 Swiss watches? 21:08 What’s driving Tissot’s growth
23:37 Are smartwatches competition?
25:02 US vs China vs India
27:28 Inside the factory: what’s still made by hand
29:12 Bracelets vs leather straps
30:06 Rapid fire round
35:35 The India opportunity
If you’re buying your first serious watch, love the business of consumer brands, or want to understand how one of Switzerland’s oldest watchmakers is thinking about India, this is a particularly fun conversation.
—
If you’re new here, I would love to have you subscribe to the newsletter and our YT channel for more updates. To those who have been with us for a while, I’m grateful for your support and excited to share more stories with you through this medium.
As always, will really appreciate your feedback and support as we build this out for the world!
Please help us spread the word by sharing this episode with your network!
Disclaimer: The content presented in this podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Viewers are encouraged to conduct their own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions.