Obaku around the world, spring 2017

obaku around the world

FEEL THE MOMENT

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DANISH DESIGN Every Obaku watch is designed by the Danes Christian Mikkelsen and Lau Liengård Ruge. Since the Viking age, Danish design has evolved from a basic mindset of creating a simple, durable and strong design, into helping elevate the fundamental standards of living through simplicity and functionality mixed with key elements such as: functionality, edgy/clean lines and a minimalist look. Today Danish design is known around the world for its emphasis on function, the use of simple lines, the focus on good choice of materials and quality production – with the idea of ‘less is more’ as the main focus point. An Arne Jacobsen Egg chair or the Jorn Utzon Opera house in Sydney, still look as if they could have been designed yesterday, although it has been more than half a century since they were created. Danish design serves many purposes, but most importantly it is designed to last a life time – this is also the key element in designing an Obaku watch.

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OBAKU CIRCLE OF LIFE The Obaku logo is inspired by the Zen calligraphic circle of life, also known as the Enso, which in Japanese means ‘circle’. It symbolizes strength, elegance and the universe and is an ‘expression of the moment’. The calligraphic Enso refers to a moment when the mind is free to simply let the body and spirit create. In short it symbolizes everything an Obaku watch is.

Z E N B Y N AT U R E The idea that there should be a sense of calm and balance in the items we use to adorn ourselves is what gave birth to the Obaku collection. In Asia, Zen philosophies have given rise to a natural simplicity – in both thought and act. Obaku takes its name from a branch of Zen philosophy and has created a universe characterized by a sense of calm, free from all superfluous details. In the Danish design heritage there is a long tradition featuring functionality and simplicity. Obaku has inherited the best from both these cultures and has blended the simplicity of thought with the simplicity of design.

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D A N I S H D E S I G N E R W AT C H E S The two Danes, Lau LiengĂĽrd Ruge and Christian Mikkelsen, are the creators behind every Obaku watch. Each watch has the name of its creator inscribed in the back case. Since 2007 they have been creating the Obaku watches and they are continually striving for perfection. Obaku watches are designed to be subtle and confidently beautiful.

Every Obaku watch has the name of the designer enscribed in the caseback.

christian mikkelsen

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lau liengĂĽrd ruge

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O B A K U W AT C H E S A R E N O W S O L D

IN OVER 70 COUNTRIES

PICTURES AROUND THE WORLD

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D E NMA R K

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D E NMA R K

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UA E

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U K R A INE

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ISR AEL

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S AU D I A R A B I A

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C IT Y CH A IN

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C IT Y CH A IN H K

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C IT Y CH A IN S IN G A P O R E

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C IT Y CH A IN TH A IL AND

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C IT Y CH A IN MA L AYS I A

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C IT Y CH A IN CHINA

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UK

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C Z E CH R E P U B LI C

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TA I WAN

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TA I WAN

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ITA LY

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P O L AND

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S PA IN

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V IE TNAM

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USA

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B ELGIUM

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RUSSIA

OTHE R S H O P S A R O U ND THE WO R L D

INDONESIA

BELARUS

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NEW ZE AL AND

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OTHE R S H O P S A R O U ND THE WO R L D

JAPAN

LITHUANIA

MALTA

HOLLAND SRI LANKA

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OTHE R S H O P S A R O U ND THE WO R L D

BEFORE & AFTER MACEDONIA

BANGLADESH

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NEW ZEALAND

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B E FO R E AND A F TE R - B E LG I U M

MERCHANDISING MATTERS

This store in Belgium doubled their weekly sell-through in the weeks following re-merchandising.

BEFORE

AFTER BEFORE

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AFTER

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S H O P S & FA I R S

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CO P E NH AGE N FA IR 2016

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H K WATCH AND CLO C K FA IR 2016

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FA IR U NITE D K IN G D O M 2017

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B A S E L FA IR 2016

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S H O P - IN -S H O P S AU D I A R A B I A

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M O N O S H O P B AN G L A D E S H

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U S A FA IR

B A S E L 2017

OUR NEW DIRECTION BASEL 2017

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Obaku is committed to lending a helping hand to our local as well as international communities. Therefore, Obaku has started its own Charity program called ‘Watches for Life’. Since the program was launched in 2012, ‘Watches for Life’ has helped organizations and people in need across the world. The idea is a ‘direct impact’ program, where focus is to see a direct and immediate change. We are aware that with our limited means we cannot change the entire world, but we may be able to change the world for a few people. This means that whenever Obaku supports a project or a cause we see an immediate and direct effect of the provided resources.

W AT C H E S F O R L I F E

Every year Obaku donates to various charities. For example Obaku’s ‘Watches for Life’ program has built a house for a family in the Philippines who have been homeless since Typhoon Yolanda devastated their house. Obaku has also created a fund, where youth, with no other means, from this same small village in the Philippines can apply for having their education funded. Every year, in lieu of Christmas presents to their partners, Obaku sponsors an orphanage in Thailand with the Baan Unrak project. This has for example enabled the organization to put a new roof on their children’s home and to build a well.

Jason and Vanessa are studying to become teacthers thanks to Obaku’s “Watches for Life” program.

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ADVERTISING & SOCIAL MEDIA

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