Franck Muller Plans Unique Experience Centers and Real Estate Ventures in India
Franck Muller, the luxury watch brand, is set to launch unique experience centers in strategic locations in India, aiming to engage watch enthusiasts beyond sales. The brand is also exploring its first real estate venture in India, potentially in Mumbai or Delhi, with an announcement expected next year.
Luxury Watch BrandFranck MullerReal EstateExperience CentersLimited Edition CollectionsReal EstateAug 21, 2025
We are increasing our points of sales, and we have a plan of opening new experience centers in strategic locations in India. It’s not just about selling watches, but we are trying to create a unique experience for watch lovers that could include talking about watchmaking and getting their opinions on creating better collections, said Baliyan.
This is going to be a very interesting concept and the first in the world for the brand. It is going to be replicated in other parts of the world, he added.
Baliyan said Indians figure in the list of top three consumers for the luxury brand in markets such as Europe, the Middle East, and Asia, and it is important to cater to their requirements.
One of the ways to cater to them is through limited edition collections associated with the culture and history of India, he said.
We have a very exciting collection coming up and we hope to launch it during the festive season. It took us a year to work on this, and nobody has done anything like this. The collection will have a religious figure embedded in the watch, he added.
Swiss watch exports to India rose to 128.3 million Swiss francs between January and June this year, up 12.7% over 2024, as per data released by the Federation of the Swiss Watch Industry. In contrast, shipments to Japan, China, Hong Kong, and Singapore fell 3.2%, 18.7%, 13.3%, and 3.7%. To be sure, India’s robust growth came on a much smaller base than the other markets.
There is a bit of a global slowdown, but India should see a steady single-digit growth in sales this year as well. We are nowhere close to our potential in India. We keep advocating for a reduction in duties and taxes, said Baliyan.
Today, to bring a $1000 watch into the country, there is a GST of approximately 40%. This hasn’t changed. If that reduces, watch sales will soar. Indians will come and buy in their own country rather than buying in Dubai, Singapore, or London, he added.
Baliyan said the company is in active discussions for launching its maiden real estate project in India. We are announcing our third project in Dubai. Most of our buyers in Dubai are Indian, so we feel now it’s time to do something in India, he said.
The strategy would be to add something new to the skyline of India. It’s probably going to be Mumbai, and then maybe, Delhi. We are in talks with a couple of big names. Hopefully, we should be able to announce something in the first quarter of next year, he added.
Baliyan said other luxury brands are now realizing that India is the market to watch out for.
Luxury brands understand and realize what we realized six years ago that India is a country full of culture and deep history, he said.
From a real estate angle, from a new experience standpoint, and expanding our retail network. We will keep trying to do better here. Because for India, the sky’s the limit, he added.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Franck Muller planning to do in India?
Franck Muller is planning to open unique experience centers in strategic locations in India and is also exploring its first real estate venture, potentially in Mumbai or Delhi.
What kind of experience centers will Franck Muller open in India?
The experience centers will aim to engage watch enthusiasts beyond sales, including discussions about watchmaking and getting feedback on creating better collections.
Why is Franck Muller focusing on India?
Indians are among the top consumers for Franck Muller in markets like Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. The brand aims to cater to their requirements through limited edition collections and unique experiences.
How are Swiss watch exports to India performing?
Swiss watch exports to India rose to 128.3 million Swiss francs between January and June this year, up 12.7% over 2024, despite a global slowdown.
What is Franck Muller's strategy for real estate in India?
Franck Muller is in talks with developers to launch its first real estate project in India, aiming to add something new to the skyline of cities like Mumbai and Delhi.
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