According to court documents filed this past tuesday, Audemars Piguet is in the early phases of legal action against Tommy Hilfiger, and its licensee for watches, the Movado Group. The claim says that Tommy's Eton watch "creates a likelihood of confusion such that the purchasing public is likely to believe [they are] authentic Audemars Piguet Royal Oak watches.? Or, essentially, the Eton looks too much like a Royal Oak Offshore.
The AP Royal Oak Offshore Navy - Inspiration for the Tommy Hilfiger Eton?
Specifically, these are the traits AP is objecting to: a round watch face that is framed by an octagonal unitary bezel; a bezel that features eight hexagonal-shaped screw heads positioned parallel to the curve of the bezel at each corner of the octagon; the winding crown that is a faceted hexagon.
Of course, the Offshore starts at around $16,000, and Tommy's quartz based guy starts at around $175, but that's not to say AP's claims are groundless. AP has requested an injunction against Tommy from selling the watch while the matter is in court and it looks like it has worked, because the watch is no longer shown on the Tommy Hilfiger website in the US, though it is still available on the British website.
These cases are notoriously difficult to win, but causing a little trouble for the offending party is usually enough to bring about a settlement. We'll keep you updated on this one as it goes along.
We wonder if this lawsuit might inspire AP's friends/competitors from Geneva to take action against another fashion brand ripping of what is clearly the OTHER great Gerald Genta design, in Burberry's Britain watch - which to us, and most in the trade press, is a blatant ripoff of the Patek Philippe Aquanaut. It is our opinion that it is really a shame that inexpensive watches, at least those produced by large companies, have now become synonymous with derivative design. There is no excuse for this beyond just being lazy.
(via NY Mag)
Audemars-piguet Audemars Piguet Royal Oak vs. Royal Oak Offshore 2266