Harrods customers will have their first chance to get their hands on the Roger Dubuis Excalibur Spider Pirelli collection this week. The watches, which go on sale from August 1, are the product of a partnership between tyre-maker Pirelli and the Richemont-owned Swiss watchmaker. Pirelli engineers were involved in the straps, which are made from motorsport tyre […]
Posted inINTERNATIONAL, Jewellery & Watch, NEWS
Carl F. Bucherer makes a splash with line of limited dive watches
Carl F. Bucherer has created a limited edition dive watch to benefit marine biology charity MantaTrust. Following a relationship that started in 2015 and even extended to Carl F. Bucherer becoming a sponsor to two manta rays, the company has since launched a dive watch which boasts numerous Manta motifs. The limited piece, unveiled in […]
Posted inNEW PRODUCTS, NEWS, UK
London studio creates one million watches in one customisable automatic
A London design studio has created a collection of automatic watches for which almost every visible element can be customised. Objest, a business founded by product designer Jared Mankelow, specialises in creating objects inspired by London’s design, art, architecture, fashion and culture. The company already sells a collection of customisable quartz-based watches, but wanted to […]
Posted inEDITOR'S CHOICE, FEATURES, IN MAG, INTERVIEWS, NEWS, UK
How Karl Massey rose from school dropout to leading Patek Philippe & Rolex partner
Prestons managing director Karl Massey was born in Macclesfield and went to school in Wilmslow, home of Prestons, his current flagship Rolex, Tudor and Patek Philippe boutique. Growing up, his family was in the retail business, with a small shop in nearby Alderley Edge, Cheshire, that sold second hand jewellery and watches from brands like […]
Posted inEDITOR'S CHOICE, FEATURES, IN MAG, INTERVIEWS, LEAD STORY, NEWS, UK
RETAIL FOCUS: Prestons rides two thoroughbred horses
There is a general trend towards retailers working with fewer watch brands, and devoting more space, expertise and energy to ensure they are perfectly presented. That is the way Rolex and Patek Philippe see the UK market, a view entirely shared by Prestons managing director Karl Massey, who has dedicated his three luxury boutiques to […]
Posted inEDITOR'S CHOICE, IN MAG, INTERVIEWS, NEWS, UK
QUICKFIRE Q&A: Grenchen Time brings Manfred+Cracco to UK
Belgian watchmaker Manfred+Cracco is being introduced to the UK by Essex-based Grenchen Time, which also distributes straps and watches from Morellato and Michel Herbelin. The watch brand is the perfect combination of style, Swiss-made heritage and quality, explains Grenchen Time director Suzie Brooks, as she explains in conversation with WatchPro. WatchPro: What attracted you to […]
Posted inEDITOR'S CHOICE, NEWS, UK
Willie Hamilton resigns after 10 year reign as Company of Master Jewellers CEO
The Company of Master Jewellers was in lock-down today as news that Willie Hamilton, the buying group’s flamboyant chief executive, had resigned. Members were informed about the abrupt departure this morning. One told Professional Jeweller, sister publication to WatchPro, that today was Mr Hamilton’s last day. Other board members said all questions should be put to The […]
Posted inEDITOR'S CHOICE, LEAD STORY, NEWS, OPINION, UK
CORDER’S COLUMN: Why Willie Hamilton should get a hero’s send-off by The CMJ
Calls first started coming into WatchPro and stablemate Professional Jeweller two weeks ago about trouble at The Company Master Jewellers and its chief executive of the past decade, Willie Hamilton. These types of rumours are commonplace ahead of the summer buying meeting, which takes place this weekend. It is a bit like the weeks leading […]
Posted inNEW PRODUCTS, NEWS, UK
Blancpain transforms classic Bathyscaphe collection from black to blue
Swiss watch designer, Blancpain, a subsidiary of the Swatch Group, is extending its vintage-inspired Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe collection with the addition of aa 38 mm timepiece attired in abyss blue. The 2017 model features a blue ceramic insert and hour-markers in Liquidmetal, an alloy known for its deformation resistance and its long-term stability.Bathyscaphe diving watches were first […]
Posted inNEWS, UK
Bespoke display unit extends Mondaine’s UK retail reach
Swiss watchmaker Mondaine has created a new bespoke display for a family-run boutique, which recently re-opened in Scarbourough. Bradleys watch and jewellery boutique has been fitted with the display, which features the SBB Railway watch dial and all of the core Mondaine SBB and Helevtica product ranges, including over 80 SKUs. The store, which opened […]
Posted inNEW PRODUCTS, NEWS
Skagen brings updated tech to watch industry
30-year old Danish watch brand Skagen has expanded its smartwatch offering with the addition of the new Signatur Hybrid designs. The new style, boasts an activity and sleep tracking function, personalised notification alerts, and hands-free control options. A spokesperson from the company said: “The new Signatur Connected hybrid smartwatch replaces the need for multiple devices, […]
Posted inNEWS
Inhorgenta Munich set to break attendance records at 2018 show
With seven months to go before Inhorgenta Munich gets underway, event organisers have reported a spike in booking figures. The international order and communications platform for jewellery and timepieces has reported that the booking figures for the 2018 edition, which will take place February 16–19, are 9% up on the previous year. “Since the previous […]
Posted inNEW PRODUCTS, NEWS, UK
Omega launches new strap collection inspired by WW2 officers
Watch brand Omega has unveiled a range of new armed forces inspired ‘NATO’ straps and a digital system to help customers find their favourite piece. The collection of eight straps includes three five-stripe fabric straps with stainless steel buckles and fitted keepers; three nylon fabric straps with grey, orange or red border; a brown Novonappa […]
Posted inINTERNATIONAL, NEWS, UK
Watch brands play pivotal role in LVMH securing double-digit revenue growth boost
One of the world’s leading luxury products groups LVMH has recorded “an excellent” first half the year, with double-digit profit and sales increases. The group, which owns Italian jewellery and watchmaker Bulgari and Swiss watchmaker TAG Heuer, reported a profit increase of 23% to €3.6 billion and a 15% rise in revenue to €19.7bn (£15bn) […]
Posted inLEAD STORY, NEWS
Swatch Group “ill-prepared” to lead smartwatch revolution, says report
Industry giant Swatch Group and other Swiss watchmakers have been put under the microscope in a probing report from corporate responsibility and sustainability experts at the University of Zurich. The report, written by Dr Isabelle Schluep Campo and Dr Philipp Aerni claims that Swatch Group “looks ill-prepared” for the looming smartwatch revolution despite its “strong […]
Posted inLEAD STORY, NEWS, UK
EXCLUSIVE: Marcus Watches closes Bond Street store
Luxury watch retailer Marcus Watches has closed its namesake store in London. The Bond Street location, which has been bought by Japanese company Tasaki, closed on Sunday after 17 years of trading. The move comes after owner Marcus Margulies made the decision to focus his efforts on an “upcoming development”. Caroline Kemp, of Margulies’ family […]
Posted inNEW PRODUCTS, NEWS, UK
Mühle- Glashuette sets sail for summer with latest offering
The Saxon family business Mühle-Glashütte is expanding its portfolio of women’s watches with its latest addition. new collection, ProMare Lady, which takes inspiration from the turquoise-blue sea, will enter stores in SS18. ProMare Lady was designed with the same nautical values typical of all Mühle products, including readability, maximum precision and robustness. The timepiece is […]
Posted inINTERNATIONAL, NEW PRODUCTS, NEWS
Longines’ re-issued adapted Heritage line extended as brand reaches milestone
Swiss brand Longines has marked 10 years since it unveiled its re-imagined diving watch in 1960, with a new offering in the collection. The Swiss Swatch Group-owned brand released two Heritage wristwatches as well as a recreation of a historic pocket watch, all inspired by models from the early 20th century in 2007. Now Longines […]
Posted inNEWS
Luminox gears up for world’s toughest obstacle course
Luminox is set to launch a new generation of its Luminox Special Operations Challenge, an event that gives civilians the chance to train like a Navy SEAL for the day. The new LSOC event, powered by Tough Viking, the largest obstacle race in Scandinavia, will take place in Stockholm, where a selection of participants will […]
Posted inNEWS, UK
Jewellery & Watch shines the spotlight on Turkish brands ahead of 2018 event
Ahead of the 2018 event, Jewellery & Watch will unveil the Turkish Brands Showcase, offering an exclusive preview of new Turkish collections and stunning showpieces early next month. Endorsed by the Jewellery Exporters’ Association of Turkey, this exclusive spotlight on Turkey will feature hand-picked brands displaying their latest collections ahead of exhibiting at Jewellery & […]