Exports of Swiss watches to the United Kingdom rose to CHF 122.2 million in September. The export total was only 0.7% higher than the same month in 2016, suggesting that the post-Brexit acceleration is continuing to slow. However, compared to eurozone countries, the UK is powering ahead as the continent is slowing. Exports in September to […]
Posted inINTERNATIONAL, LEAD STORY, NEWS
Two days to go until Phillips starts ‘sale of the century’ for Paul Newman Daytona
The watch-collecting world probably doesn’t need reminding that Phillips in New York will auction the Holy Grail of Rolexes, a Daytona owned and worn by Hollywood legend Paul Newman. It re-surfaced earlier this year, after last being seen on Mr Newman’s wrist in 1984. It has since been on a world tour drumming up interest […]
Posted inEDITOR'S CHOICE, NEW PRODUCTS, NEWS, UK
Scotland’s Kartel dramatically expands its line up for Autumn/Winter 2017
Scottish watchmaking company Kartel has added to two new models to its line up and updated its best-selling Kendrick and Lewis families, for Autumn/Winter 2017. All the new models are now cased in stainless steel, and upgrade from the previously used alloy. They now use flat glass, which is better for looking at the dials from […]
Posted inEDITOR'S CHOICE, NEWS, UK
Bremont auctions collector’s edition Supermarines to raise money for WWII memorial
Bremont is auctioning a Collector’s Edition Bremont Supermarine, created to commemorate the 75th anniversary of HMS Olympus, a Royal Navy submarine that was sunk by a mine off the coast of Malta in May 1942. Proceeds from the auction, which runs from now until November 30, will be given to the HMS Olympus Memorial Fund. […]
Posted inEDITOR'S CHOICE, NEW PRODUCTS, NEWS, UK
Hublot chips in with a specialised Big Bang for golfers
Dustin Johnson, the current world number one golfer, joined Hublot in Shanghai this week to help launch the Big Bang Unico Golf. The timepiece has a specially modified movement, the MHUB1580, which lets golfers keep track of their score throughout an 18-hole round. It is also engineered to be worn while playing thanks to its […]
Posted inEDITOR'S CHOICE, INTERNATIONAL, LEAD STORY, NEWS, UK
Aurum Holdings formally completes acquisition of Mayor’s Jewelers in USA
Birks Group Inc. has completed the sale of its subsidiary, Mayor’s Jewelers, Inc. to Aurum Group USA, Inc., a subsidiary of Aurum Holdings. The cost of the acquisition is confirmed at approximately $108 million. Buying Mayor’s gives Aurum Holdings a significant platform for growth in the United States. Along with a chain of 17 prestige jewellers in […]
Posted inEDITOR'S CHOICE, NEW PRODUCTS, NEWS, UK
IN PICTURES: Peacock-inspired Grand Seiko Hi-beat 36000 GMT
Grand Seiko says its just-released limited edition Hi-beat 36000 GMT is inspired by the beauty of the peacock. The watch, which houses Grand Seiko’s 9S86 automatic mechanical movement, has a deep green dial with a stamped pattern. The case, based on a 1967 design, along with the 9S86 movement, is the same combination as in […]
Posted inEDITOR'S CHOICE, NEWS, UK
Gardiner Houlgate unearths rare Rolex Submariner 5513 for this week’s auction
Gardiner Houlgate, an auction house based in Bath, has highlighted a Rolex Submariner 5513 with an Explorer 369 dial as its star lot at this week’s sale. The Watch Auction, which takes place on October 25, is expecting the timepiece to sell for £60-100,000. The stainless steel watch with 3-6-9 Explorer dial, ref. 5513 was […]
Posted inEDITOR'S CHOICE, NEWS, UK
War hero auctions Bremont watch for charity, then buyer gives it straight back to him
A Marine who lost three limbs in a land mine attack in Afghanistan was stunned at a charity auction last week when a Bremont watch he put up for sale was bought by an anonymous bidder, then given straight back to him. Mark Omrod, who was recently won a silver medal for indoor rowing at […]
Posted inEDITOR'S CHOICE, NEWS, UK
Officine Panerai joins growing list of luxury watch brands on Mr Porter
Officine Panerai has become the latest Richemont watch brand to be sold on gentlemen’s ecommerce portal Mr Porter. Panerai launched this week with a curated selection of 25 timepieces from across the brand’s Luminor and Radiomir collections, along with an Officine Panerai Table Clock. “We are thrilled to be launching Officine Panerai, a high-end sport […]
Posted inNEWS, UK
Bedat & Co and brand ambassador Carly Paoli support charity Christmas carol concert
Classical singer Carly Paoli, who released her debut album Singing My Dreams in the summer, is joining TV presenter Aled Jones for a charity Christmas Carol concert on December 4. Ms Paoli is a brand ambassador for luxury Swiss watchmaker Bedat & Co, which is also an official sponsor for the Christmas concert. A star-studded […]
Posted inNEWS, UK
Elliot Brown attracts adventure-loving women as ambassadors for its Kimmeridge family
Elliot Brown is supporting the launch of its first ladies watch collection earlier this year by working with three inspirational female brand ambassadors. Adventurer Sarah Outen MBE, environmentalist Lizzie Carr and firefighter Bex Sims have all signed to work with the British watchmaker to draw attention to the indestructible qualities of the Elliot Brown Kimmeridge line […]
Posted inEDITOR'S CHOICE, LEAD STORY, NEWS, UK
Laings opens large TAG Heuer shop-in-shop in Glasgow’s Argyll Arcade
Laings has opened a TAG Heuer shop-in-shop in Argyll Arcade in Glasgow. TAG is even given its own frontage directly onto the historic arcade, which is also home to upmarket jewellers Mappin & Webb and Rox. There are three Laings shops in the Argyll Arcade, including the company’s flagship store anchored by Patek Philippe and […]
Posted inEDITOR'S CHOICE, NEW PRODUCTS, NEWS, UK
Visconti celebrates La Dolce Vita with its Roma 60 Opera wristwatch
Italian watch brand Visconti is reminding customers about the centuries of creativity coming out of its home country ranging from the modern icons like the Fiat 500 to Hollywood movie stars and, above all, opera. 1960s movie classic La Dolce Vita, written and directed by Federico Fellini is emblematic of Italy’s lust for life, and provides […]
Posted inEDITOR'S CHOICE, NEWS, UK
Beaverbrooks gives its 940 employees Boxing Day off work (again)
Beaverbrooks won’t be opening its 71 doors to shoppers this Boxing Day as it believes its 940 employees deserve to be at home with their families. The company, which is celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2019, has ranked highly in the Sunday Times 100 Best Companies to Work For, for 14 consecutive years and thinks that […]
Posted inEDITOR'S CHOICE, LEAD STORY, NEWS, UK
TAG Heuer to open flagship boutique on London’s Oxford Street in November
TAG Heuer has said that the flagship boutique it is opening on London’s Oxford Street in November will be the first and last in the UK. Rob Diver, managing director for Europe at TAG Heuer, says the brand’s main focus will always be to work with its network of retailers. “We do not have any […]
Posted inEDITOR'S CHOICE, INTERNATIONAL, NEW PRODUCTS, NEWS, UK
Girard-Perregaux goes all black with ceramic Laureato watch
Girard-Perregaux has released a Laureato clad in black ceramic. The 42mm watch with Laureato’s signature octagonal bezel is lighter and more durable than other models in the range made of steel or precious metals. Its black dial has the “Clou de Paris” hobnail motif with hours, minutes, centre seconds, and a date aperture. The 10.9mm […]
Posted inDAILY NEWS
Q&A: Primassure’s Grant Phypers on profiting from insurance
It may not be as glamorous as selling the latest Swiss mechanical masterpiece, but helping customers protect their treasures with insurance is a valuable service that jewellers need to master. Grant Phypers, who is business development office at international insurance brokers and underwriting agents for the watch and jewellery trade, tells WatchPro why insurance shouldn’t be considered […]
Posted inEXHIBITIONS, Jewellery & Watch, LEAD STORY, NEWS, UK
Jewellery & Watch Birmingham reverses decision to trim the show from five to four days in 2018
Jewellery & Watch Birmingham has reversed a decision to shorten the show to four days and will now run for the usual five from February 4-8 in 2018. International Jewellery London (IJL) was trimmed to three days in 2015. Even Baselworld, the biggest watch and jewellery show in the world, has had its running time […]
Posted inNEWS, UK
Glasgow Chamber of Commerce names Laings as Family Business of the Year
Laings has been named as the Family Business of the Year at the Glasgow Business Awards. The awards night was hosted by Glasgow’s Chamber of Commerce and celebrate the success of Glasgow businesses. With over 13 awards, from the Entrepreneur of the Year to Excellence in Communications, top businesses, organisations and individuals were honoured at the prestigious awards ceremony. […]