Interview with Jan Kowalewski
Jan Kowalewski is a service advisor at Audi Zentrum Osnabrück GmbH & Co. KG and a true watch enthusiast. For him, a wristwatch is much more than just a practical item. But what makes a really good watch? We asked him: Hello Jan, thank you very much for your time. Do people even still need a wristwatch these days? Whether or not someone needs a wristwatch isn't an easy question to answer. But if you look around, you notice that a great many people wear one. Even young people who have basically grown up with smartphones and use them to check the time or date. It really depends on what function a wristwatch is meant to serve. For me, a wristwatch is not just a tool for telling the time. It is much more than that. Every wristwatch makes a statement. What statement does your wristwatch make? I own several wristwatches. During the day, while I'm working at Audi Zentrum Osnabrück, I like to wear elegant and luxurious watches. Audi is a strong brand with outstanding technologies. Our customers expect the very best service from us, and they get it. A well-groomed appearance reflects our appreciation and respect for the customer. For me, an elegant wristwatch is simply an essential accessory to go with a shirt. When I head to the gym after work, I prefer to wear sporty watches. I particularly like the watches from Festina. And at the weekend, I wear whichever one suits my mood. Whether colourful or simple, there is a suitable wristwatch for every occasion, and in my opinion every man should wear one. What do you think of the new smartwatches? I haven't really looked into these watches very much yet, but I think they can be very useful. If you don't happen to have your smartphone to hand, a quick glance at your wrist certainly has its advantages. However, a smartwatch could never replace a classic wristwatch for me. What do you look for in a watch? First of all, the design naturally has to appeal to me. Good workmanship in the strap and case is very important to me. The watch shouldn't be too large and should be suitable for everyday wear. The functions are rather secondary for me. That said, I admit that I am very interested in everything new. At Audi, we are constantly developing new technologies in premium quality to meet our customers' needs. I like it when a wristwatch has similar qualities. Where do you buy your wristwatches? I usually order my watches online. When you buy watches online, what do you pay particular attention to in an online shop? When I order from an online shop for the first time, I pay attention to whether the site is reputable. For example, I read customer reviews on well-known trust seals such as Trusted Shops. But shipping costs, exchange options, and ways to get in touch are also important factors. At Uhren4You, for example, the shipping costs are very fair. For orders of 50,00 € or more within Germany, you can order with free shipping. And if I end up not liking a watch after all, I have 100 days to exchange it or return it completely. What is the maximum you would spend on a watch that you particularly like? If I am truly convinced by a wristwatch, then the price only plays a secondary role for me. When I order from Uhren4You, I can always be sure, thanks to the lowest price guarantee, that I am getting the best price online here. That saves me the time-consuming task of comparing prices across several online shops. How important is the brand of a watch to you? The brand plays a major role for me. But it is not important to me that I already know the brand, rather what it stands for. There are certain brands that I immediately associate with something: quality, high-grade materials, durability. That creates a certain level of trust in the product. It's similar with Audi. The Audi brand stands for progress, innovation, and top service. Customers know that and place their trust in us. Which watches do you already own, and how many? I can call 6 watches my own. Four of them are Festina watches, one is a Casio watch, and one is from Kristian Kiel. But the collection is constantly growing. Can you still remember your first watch? My first wristwatch was the Casio with the solar dial, which I still have. It means a great deal to me. I received this watch from a colleague as a "thank you." It laid the foundation for my passion for watches. Have you ever given a watch as a gift yourself? Not directly. I have never actually given a watch as a gift, but I have given a voucher for a wristwatch instead. The recipient was very happy about it! Thank you very much, Jan!
