It is the 25th anniversary of Bell & Ross this year, and to mark the occasion, Sotheby’s has opened an online-only auction featuring 25 wristwatches from the archive. The curated auction, which opens today (July 11) and ends on July 25, aims to draw attention to the French brand’s design history. Sotheby’s promises Bell & […]
Posted inNEWS, UK
Police appeal for help to find armed gang who stole 50 Rolexes from Gleneagles Mappin & Webb
Detectives investigating an armed robbery at Gleneagles Hotel in Auchterarder, Scotland, are re-appealing for information. At around 11am on June 27, three men entered the hotel and robbed a jewellery store run by Mappin & Webb. The men made off with 50 Rolex watches before getting away in a dark blue coloured Audi car which […]
Posted inNEWS, Research, UK
Sales and profits rise at pre-owned watch specialist Ian Blowers Jewellers
Ian Blowers Jewellers Limited, a specialist in pre-owned luxury watches, has seen sales rise by 13% in the year ending September 30, 2016. Turnover rose to £10.91 million for the financial year, while operating profit increased from £1.36 million in 2015 to £1.46 million in 2016. Ian Blowers specialises in buying and selling previously owned […]
Posted inNEW PRODUCTS, NEWS, UK
Alpina adds quartz models to its Startimer Pilot family of timekeepers
Alpina has added a quartz edition to its Startimer Pilot family. The brand, which is now owned by Citzen Watch Company, launched the Startimer Pilot Automatic at Baselworld this year, and has taken the same case and design into a new price category by releasing the same watch with a quartz movement. The 42mm watch […]
Posted inEDITOR'S CHOICE, NEWS, UK, WATCHPRO AWARDS
Redd Retail Group sponsors Marketing and Merchandising Team of the Year at the WatchPro Awards
Redd Retail Group has been confirmed as sponsor of the Marketing and Merchandising Team of the Year category at this year’s WatchPro Awards. The Awards take place on November 22 at 8 Northumberland, a spectacular Victorian ballroom just off London’s Trafalgar Square. Redd Retail Group is a leading international design and display company specialising in […]
Posted inLEAD STORY, NEWS, UK
Harrods to double the size of its Fine Watch Room
Harrods will start work this month on a major redevelopment of its Fine Watch Room that will double its size. The Knightsbridge institution will burrow through the centre of its ground floor space to create a statement spiral staircase into a lower ground area. Details are still under wraps of the final layout of the new Fine […]
Posted inNEWS, UK
THE ONLY WATCH CHARITY AUCTION — Introducing exclusive watches 41-49
The Only Watch charity auction, which raises money for Muscular Dystrophy research, takes place in Geneva on November 11. Here, and in linked articles, WatchPro features unique watches created specially for the sale by the world’s leading watchmakers. The auction is being managed and run by Christie’s, which will accept bids both in the saleroom […]
Posted inOthers
WATCHPRO DAILY NEWS ALERT SPECIAL: See the 49 unique pieces made for world’s biggest charity watch auction
The biennial watch industry charity auction Only Watch, which takes place in Geneva on November 11, will feature unique timepieces donated by the world’s most prestigious maisons. Watchmakers are donating a one-off timepiece specifically made for Only Watch or a one-off version of an iconic model. At the November sale, unique experiences and collaborations will be […]
Posted inINTERNATIONAL, NEWS, UK
THE ONLY WATCH CHARITY AUCTION — Featuring watches 31-40
The Only Watch charity auction, which raises money for Muscular Dystrophy research, takes place in Geneva on November 11. Here, and in linked articles, WatchPro features unique watches created specially for the sale by the world’s leading watchmakers. The auction is being managed and run by Christie’s, which will accept bids both in the saleroom […]
Posted inINTERNATIONAL, NEWS, UK
THE ONLY WATCH CHARITY AUCTION — Featuring watches 21-30
The Only Watch charity auction, which raises money for Muscular Dystrophy research, takes place in Geneva on November 11. Here, and in linked articles, WatchPro features unique watches created specially for the sale by the world’s leading watchmakers. The auction is being managed and run by Christie’s, which will accept bids both in the saleroom […]
Posted inINTERNATIONAL, NEWS, UK
The Only Watch Charity Auction — click to see timepieces 11-20
The Only Watch charity auction, which raises money for Muscular Dystrophy research, takes place in Geneva on November 11. Here, and in linked articles, WatchPro features unique watches created specially for the sale by the world’s leading watchmakers. The auction is being managed and run by Christie’s, which will accept bids both in the saleroom […]
Posted inINTERNATIONAL, NEWS, UK
Only Watch charity auction — experience the first ten exclusive timepieces
The Only Watch charity auction, which raises money for Muscular Dystrophy research, takes place in Geneva on November 11. Here, and in linked articles, WatchPro features unique watches created specially for the sale by the world’s leading watchmakers. The auction is being managed and run by Christie’s, which will accept bids both in the saleroom […]
Posted inNEWS, UK
IN PICTURES: Mappin & Webb officially reopens its Glasgow flagship
Mappin & Webb held the official re-opening of its Glasgow flagship boutique on the famous Argyll Arcade this week following a three-month refurbishment. Guests were given a demonstration of Mappin & Webb’s watchmaking skills with a presentation into the intricate workings of mechanical watches. Jamie Fraser, boutique manager at Mappin & Webb Glasgow, gave a tour of the […]
Posted inNEW PRODUCTS, NEWS, UK
Omega hosts Bond-themed party in London to launch Seamaster Commander’s limited edition
Omega reminded customers about its lengthy association with James Bond in London this week with the the launch of a limited edition Seamaster Diver 300M Commander’s Watch that celebrates the rank and regalia of Agent 007. A party for press and partners saw guests transported by boat along the River Thames on a cruise before arriving at […]
Posted inEDITOR'S CHOICE, IN MAG, INTERVIEWS, LEAD STORY, NEWS, UK
Shinola: The bolt from Detroit
Founded just six years ago in 2011, Detroit-based Shinola has hit the UK like a lightning bolt; an appropriate metaphor given that the American watch and lifestyle brand uses the flash of lightning as its logo. Beaverbrooks, Ernest Jones and Goldsmiths are already working with the company, and that is just the start of Shinola’s […]
Posted inINTERNATIONAL, NEW PRODUCTS, NEWS
Martina Navratilova donates Wimbledon-winning racquet string to Swiss watchmaker
Tennis legend Martina Navratilova has donated string from a racquet used to win Wimbledon 30 years ago to Swiss watchmaker Avantist, which is building the string into a limited edition collection of 30 timepieces. Each watch is expected to sell for £8,000, although no details have been revealed about where and when they will go […]
Posted inEDITOR'S CHOICE, INTERNATIONAL, NEWS, UK
49 prestige watchmakers donate unique pieces to Muscular Dystrophy charity auction
The biennial watch industry charity auction Only Watch, which takes place in Geneva on November 11, will feature unique timepieces donated by the world’s most prestigious maisons. Twenty-seven watchmakers are donating a one-off timepiece specifically made for Only Watch or a one-off version of an iconic model. At the November sale, unique experiences and collaborations will […]
Posted inLEAD STORY
Movado Group seals £60m takeover of UK watch brand Olivia Burton
American watchmaker Movado has dipped into its war-chest to seal a £60m takeover of JLB Brands Ltd, the owner of the Olivia Burton watch brand. In what marks one of the most notable industry acquisition stories of the year so far, the Movado Group will use the all-cash deal to broaden its fashion watch portfolio and ramp […]
Posted inEDITOR'S CHOICE, LEAD STORY, NEW PRODUCTS, NEWS, UK
TAG Heuer commits to online-only launch for a special edition Connected Watch
TAG Heuer’s Connected Watch will be the official timepiece of Kingsman: The Golden Circle, the second installment of the Kingsman film franchise that opens at cinemas worldwide in September. The watch was unveiled in London by Jean-Claude Biver, CEO of TAG Heuer and president of the LVMH Group Watch Division. He was joined on stage […]
Posted inNEW PRODUCTS, NEWS, UK
Gucci’s fearless 2017 watch collection hits stores
Gucci’s 2017 watch collection was one of the most talked about at Baselworld. Traditionalists winced while fashionistas purred at the bravery of the designs, which bring the Italian maison’s catwalk icons straight to its wristwear. Now it is time to see whether the dramatic direction will work, as the watches go on sale at retailers […]