1. 06/02/13 Security card provides protection against fakes - FT.com
January 21, 2013 2:29 pm
Security card provides
protection against fakes
By Simon de Burton
Geneva-based WISekey is best known for providing apparently impenetrable, ultra high-
tech information security and identification management systems to protect data in a diverse
range of sectors including health, education and defence. Now, the company is beginning to
make its mark in the luxury goods world through the use of a system designed to prevent
the sale of counterfeit and “grey market” wristwatches.
Fledgling brand, HYT (the Hydro-Mechanical Horologists) is the latest to adopt the
WISeAuthentic system, which will be supplied with each of its revolutionary, liquid-display
watches.
WISeAuthentic takes the form of a digital reader and a warranty card containing a unique
and non-forgeable digital certificate. The card enables a prospective purchaser or retailer to
carry out a cast-iron, high level security check, either online or by using the device in
conjunction with the Near Field Communication (NFC) system on a Smart phone.
But, as well as proving that a watch is genuine, WISeAuthentic also contains full details of its
sale, ownership and service history.
Ion Schiau, HYT’s vice-president of sales and marketing, admits that the likelihood of one of
the brand’s award winning, €40,000 watches being faked is slim (the company uses a
bellows system to pump brightly-coloured liquid around the edge of the dial to indicate the
hour), but says WISeAuthentic has additional uses.
“HYT’s horology is hybrid and high tech, so to be able to deliver our first watches in
December along with another, totally 21st-century system seemed appropriate,” says Mr
Schiau.
“Although WISeAuthentic was primarily developed as a tool against fake watches, it is far
more wide-ranging than that – as well as containing information about warranty and
servicing, it should also prevent any parallel trading as the details of anyone who retails the
watch will be stored. Our system will provide access to a private club and tailor made
concierge, rental car and hotel booking services,” says Mr Schiau, who first introduced the
idea to the watch world back in 2009 while working for Hublot.
At first, the famously conservative watch trade was reluctant to accept the idea. But the so-
called Hublotista system is supplied with every Hublot watch sold around the world and is
www.ft.com/cms/s/0/b3404264-5e6e-11e2-b3cb-00144feab49a.html#axzz2K90yER1d 1/2

2. 06/02/13 Security card provides protection against fakes - FT.com
also linked to a private, online owners’ club offering protected discussions, exclusive
information, invitations, information exchanges and privileged access to some of the brand’s
activities.
Hublotista’s function as an anti-counterfeiting system is also of considerable benefit, as the
stellar success of the brand’s Big Bang models has made them popular watches to fake.
Printed from: http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/b3404264-5e6e-11e2-b3cb-00144feab49a.html
Print a single copy of this article for personal use. Contact us if you wish to print more to distribute to others.
© THE FINANCIAL TIMES LTD 2013 FT and ‘Financial Times’ are trademarks of The Financial Times Ltd.
www.ft.com/cms/s/0/b3404264-5e6e-11e2-b3cb-00144feab49a.html#axzz2K90yER1d 2/2