Nako Timepieces release women's collection
Nnasaretha Kgamanyane | Friday February 1, 2019 14:15
While they recently unveiled their Nako Three Dikgosi Edition, they have now released a women’s collection christened the Nako Marula-Retro. This Nako collection was designed and conceived exclusively for women.
The new collection was inspired by the Morula tree, (Known scientifically as Sclerocarya birrea) which is indigenous to Southern Africa, parts of West Africa and Madagascar.
The Morula/Marula tree,which have edible fruits and has multiple uses associated with almost all its parts. The morula is one of southern Africa’s most valued trees. It is found in every part of this country.
The Nako Timepieces brand’s latest edition is a perfect and feminine blend of contemporary design and the highest quality of watch-making. Nako Marula-Retro is a very exciting addition to Nako Timepieces’ Three Dikgosi edition as it exemplifies how its brand is powered by timeless innovation femininity, elegance and precision. One of Nako Timepieces co-founders, Tirafalo Otlhogile, told Arts& Culture that Nako Ladies Collection came hot on the heels of the gentlemen’s collection and was introduced in November of 2018.
He said initially together with his partner Gabriel Mothibedi, they desired to do just a men’s collection but the response from the women showed that it would be unjust to do that.
That is when they worked on the women’s collection because they felt that women were also entitled to celebrate The Three Dikgosi as pivotal figures in the history of Botswana.
“These watches carry on themselves a piece of history that every Motswana should celebrate. The role of Dikgosi is not something that can be nor should be taken lightly.
“Them asking for protection against the British South Africa Company of Cecil Rhodes was key to where we are today.
A monumental occasion in our history symbolised on a watch like this makes it very unique. These watches were introduced into the market in January 2019 and cost P2,500 each,” he proudly said.
He explained that no detail was overlooked when designing their Nako ladies Marula-Retro as it had bold, soft, and contemporary elements with the Nako signature.
Otlhogile said their watches were born in Botswana and manufactured in Switzerland ,adding that they merge innovation and luxury watchmaking that’s proudly African. Otlhogile further urged the community to buy their watches not only because they were from a local brand, but also because they were of the highest quality watch.
He said the women’s piece was a 316L steel casing, 38mm in size, waterproof to 10ATMs, genuine leather straps of 18mm, luminescence hour and minute hands with day-date function and the movement was the world renowned Miyota. That made it a very high quality watch by any measure. “We still sell direct from warehouse to customer. We are also soon to launch an online store while working on a few deals to establish relationships with local merchants.
At the moment, from our mother brand, Nako Watches are our main product, but we have collateral in the form of T-shirts, which we also sell for P250 each,” he said.
He explained that Batswana have supported them very well and were helping them advance the business.
He said the public was showing pride in them saying they equally appreciate it.
Talking about their challenges, Otlhogile pointed out that their biggest trial has been and continues to be funding because the entire business has been run from their pockets.
He, however, indicated that they decided to take a more organic growth approach and hence remain optimistic they will be able to face the challenges they encounter.