Mappin & Webb’s flagship boutique on London’s Regent Street was still closed this morning following a dramatic raid last night. The gang responsible, who the police believe was six-strong and used hammers, axes and bats during the robbery, made a chaotic escape from the scene of the crime on three mopeds. One of the mopeds […]
Posted inEDITOR'S CHOICE, LEAD STORY, NEWS, Others, UK
Gieves & Hawkes cuts deal with Zeon to create tailor-made watches
Zeon Ltd has signed a licensing agreement with Gieves & Hawkes to design, manufacture and distribute a collection of watches under the iconic British luxury brand. Simon Gilham, managing director of Zeon Ltd says: “The Gieves & Hawkes brand stands out as one that has a luxurious timeless style, known for its commitment to craft […]
Posted inEDITOR'S CHOICE, NEW PRODUCTS, NEWS, UK
Bremont creates limited editions to mark 100 years since creation of the RAF
The Royal Air Force celebrates its centenary year in 2018, and aviation-loving watchmaker Bremont is marking the occasion with the launch of its 1918 Limited Edition. The rotor in each of the watches will include material from four historic aircraft that fought with the RAF during major campaigns of both world wars. A Bristol Blenheim, a […]
Posted inEDITOR'S CHOICE, LEAD STORY, NEWS, UK
Bremont trims losses in 2016 as turnover rises to £14 million
British watchmaker Bremont has reported global sales of £14.03 million in 2016, a rise of 5% over the full calendar year of 2015. UK sales contributed almost two-thirds (£8.5 million) towards the global total. The company changed its reporting period in 2015, making direct comparisons of operating profit and loss less clear. The operating loss for […]
Posted inEDITOR'S CHOICE, NEWS, UK
Net-A-Porter adds Chopard watches to its luxury women’s fashion portal
Chopard watches and jewellery will be sold online for the first time at Net-A-Porter this week. On October 11, the Swiss luxury maison will introduce its Happy Diamonds family of jewellery and watches, its Happy Dreams jewellery collection, and its Happy Sport watches. “We are delighted and excited to be partnering with Net-A-Porter. Chopard is proud to […]
Posted inEDITOR'S CHOICE, NEWS, UK, WATCHPRO AWARDS
Two-thirds of tickets already sold out for the 2017 WatchPro Awards in November
There are just six weeks to go until the 2017 WatchPro Awards and just 80 tickets still available for the 250-seater gala dinner. The WatchPro Awards, in association with Hearst, is the only event celebrating the achievements of British-based watch businesses, and will be attended by retailers, watch brands and wholesalers responsible for this country’s £2 billion […]
Posted inINTERNATIONAL, NEWS, UK
Peers Hardy continues to add international doors for Henry London
Peers Hardy is continuing to add overseas distributors and retailers to its network for Henry London watches. Henry London is entirely owned by Peers Hardy, making it a cornerstone of its strategy to maintain a mixed portfolio that also includes licensed brands such as Orla Keily and Radley; brands where the company only has distribution rights […]
Posted inNEW PRODUCTS, NEWS, UK
London style icons turn out for launch of Breguet Grand Tour
Breguet presented its Classique Grand Feu Enamel in London this week as part of a Grand Tour of Mayfair establishments it considers essential for a modern day gentleman worthy of wearing the watch. The tour started at private member’s institution Mark’s Club, before heading to Breguet’s Bond Street boutique, then Huntsman & Sons tailors on Savile Row, […]
Posted inEDITOR'S CHOICE, NEWS, OPINION
CORDER’S COLUMN: How big is Rolex?
Rolex does not disclose financial information. The world’s second biggest watch company (if Apple’s analysis is correct) is owned by Hans Wilsdorf Foundation, a private family trust that never shares financial information. Here in the UK we are fortunate enough to be able to see accounts filed at Companies House for every company registered for tax purposes in […]
Posted inEDITOR'S CHOICE, LEAD STORY, NEWS, Others, UK
BREAKING NEWS: Rolex Watch Company sales soar to £268 million in the UK
Rolex Watch Company Limited has reported sales of £268 million in 2016, a 41% rise over 2015. Operating profit for Rolex’s UK subsidiary rose by 13% to £22.5 million in 2016. The Rolex Watch Company Limited accounts, published today at Companies House, give a rare glimpse into the finances of Rolex, which is owned by Hans Wilsdorf […]
Posted inEDITOR'S CHOICE, EXHIBITIONS, NEWS, UK
Hublot’s Harrods exhibition explains Art of Fusion behind rarest timepieces
This month’s Hublot exhibition at Harrods is the fourth stop on a global Art of Fusion Tour that will have touched down in Beirut, Kyoto, Macau, London, Hanoi, Berlin, New York, Praha and Istanbul by the time it ends. The aim of the events is to demonstrate Hublot’s constant mission to innovate and bring new […]
Posted inEDITOR'S CHOICE, NEW PRODUCTS, NEWS, UK
Police Watches create limited edition in partnership with Justice League movie
Following the 2016 success of the Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice movie partnership, Police Watches has revealed that it is going bigger and better as the official film partners of Justice League. The highly anticipated DC Comics movie from Warner Bros is released in the UK on November 17. Inter City Group, which designs and manufactures […]
Posted inEDITOR'S CHOICE, NEWS, UK
BREAKING NEWS: Bucherer brings Blue Editions to Selfridges and Covent Garden
Bucherer’s Blue Edition watches are on sale in London for the first time following the group’s acquisition of The Watch Gallery. Blue Editions are created by many of Switzerland’s leading watchmakers exclusively for Bucherer and they are sold only at Bucherer boutiques around Europe. WatchPro visited the Selfridges Wonder Room this morning, which is now under […]
Posted inNEWS, UK
Audemars Piguet promotes head of sales to UK general manager
Daniel Compton was revealed as the new general manager of Audemars Piguet UK today. Mr Compton has worked at AP for four years, most recently as head of sales in the UK. He has been in the luxury business for almost 30 years, with sales roles at Gucci, Vertu and Chopard. At a press breakfast in London […]
Posted inNEWS, UK
APPRENTICE WATCH: Burns turns pantomime villain in episode one
*Spoiler Alert* Charles Burns, former head of branded jewellery and watches at Burns Jewellers and Retail Titan in WatchPro’s Hot 100, endured a torrid examination in episode one of BBC One’s The Apprentice. Burns was part of the male team, which called itself Vitality. The opening task was to design, produce and sell burgers for a […]
Posted inEDITOR'S CHOICE, LEAD STORY, NEWS, Others, UK
Sekonda owner’s sales dip by just 4% despite plunge in sub-£500 watch market
Sekonda sells more watches in the UK than any other brand, and its owner has weathered difficult headwinds in 2016 to post sales of £36.6 million. Time Products (UK) Limited, which owns and distributes Sekonda as well as Accurist and Limit watches, says it sold well over two million Sekonda timepieces in its latest financial year, […]
Posted inEDITOR'S CHOICE, LEAD STORY, NEWS, UK
Time Products Luxury profit boosted by golden farewell deal with Audemars Piguet
Time Products Luxury Limited has reported a dramatic spike in sales and profits in 2016 thanks largely to a one-off payment from Audemars Piguet for the early termination of a long term distribution agreement. In the same financial year, Marcus Margulies sold his world-renowned collection of vintage Audemars Piguet timepieces to the Swiss watchmaker. Mr […]
Posted inNEWS, UK
Hublot opens month-long exhibition at Harrods
Hublot unveiled a major exhibition at Harrods last night that will run throughout the month of October. The showcase is on the ground floor on the corner of Brompton Road and Hans Road, and includes around a quarter of the Harrods windows and frontage to the main Knightsbridge thoroughfare. It incorporates a Ferrari within the […]
Posted inEDITOR'S CHOICE, LEAD STORY, NEWS, UK
BREAKING NEWS: Bucherer begins trading under its own name in the UK
Britain’s second biggest Rolex retailer, The Watch Gallery, slips into history today as its new owner Bucherer takes charge. From today, the website www.thewatchgallery.com redirects automatically to www.bucherer.co.uk. Users are also redirected to the UK website if they try to access the international website Bucherer.com. The group’s physical stores in London have been renamed. The Selfridges […]