Anna Blackburn has been CEO of Beaverbrooks since 2013. She is now in her 20th year with the company, having worked her way up from the shop floor in a Manchester store. It is hard to think of a more impressive CEO in the watch and jewellery business in the UK, or one who is […]
Posted inEDITOR'S CHOICE, NEWS, UK
Braun Classic Slim watch wins prestigious Red Dot Award for design
Braun has won a prestigious Red Dot Award for product design for its Classic Slim Gents Watch. The Classic Slim Watch, created under license by British watchmaker Zeon, is a modern interpretation of the German parent company’s traditional minimalist design philosophy. It was developed to ensure comfort on the wrist thanks to its slim and […]
Posted inINTERNATIONAL, NEW PRODUCTS, NEWS, UK
Glashütte Original lets people configure watches online before sending them to retailers to buy
Glashütte Original has launched an online service where customers can create their own unique Pavonina timepiece by selecting different dials, straps, decorative finishes and personal engraving. However, rather than ordering the personalised pieces directly from the website, customers are instead told to contact their local retailer where they can try on the watch and complete […]
Posted inEDITOR'S CHOICE, NEWS, UK
Watchmaker Robert Loomes talks to millions on Chris Evans Breakfast Show
Robert Loomes described the art of watch and clockmaking to the millions of listeners of the Chris Evans Breakfast Show on Radio 2 this morning. The presenter welcomed Mr Loomes as his mystery guest, and chatted about the history of British horology, and the state of the market today. The light-hearted exchange explored where Mr […]
Posted inNEW PRODUCTS, NEWS, UK
Nomos paints a vivid picture of playful timepieces for the summer
Selling prestige watches is often about painting a picture in vivid colours that taps into a mood for the customer. Nomos Glashütte is providing a story that does just that this summer with the launch of its Aqua range of vivid timepieces. “Hiking the Alps or catching a wave on the tumultuous Atlantic Ocean? Looking for […]
Posted inINTERNATIONAL, NEW PRODUCTS, NEWS, UK
Vacheron Constantin creates Traditionelle models with slate grey dials
Vacheron Constantin has chalked up slate grey dials for a limited edition family of six Traditionelle models. Each is offered in 44mm or 42mm 18ct rose gold cases with sapphire display backs. Top of the line are two grand complication models: the Traditionnelle calibre 2755 and Traditionnelle 14-day tourbillon. The Calibre 2755 unites three fine […]
Posted inNEWS, Research, UK
Terrorism fails to derail rise in tourism from high spending UK visitors
England’s run of shocking tragedies have been broadcast around the world, but appear to have done little to deter tourists planning to visit this summer. The current weakness of the pound means visitors will enjoy lower hospitality costs, leaving them with even more spending money to spend on luxury watches, the country’s leading retailers will […]
Posted inEDITOR'S CHOICE, FEATURES, IN MAG, INTERVIEWS, LEAD STORY, NEWS, Others, UK
THE BIG INTERVIEW: Beaverbrooks chairman Mark Adlestone and CEO Anna Blackburn
Beaverbrooks is famous for being a great company to work for and for being run by a team that brands love working with. But is being Britain’s nicest jeweller great for the company’s bottom line, and does it miss out on commercial opportunities that more aggressive competitors grasp? Rob Corder sat down with chairman Mark […]
Posted inEDITOR'S CHOICE, NEWS, UK
Radio 2’s Chris Evans asks Robert Loomes for a history lesson on British clockmaking
Robert Loomes will be giving Radio 2 listeners a history lesson on British clockmaking on the Chris Evans Breakfast Show tomorrow morning (July 4). Associates of Mr Loomes could not elaborate on the precise nature of the conversation, and why British clockmaking is a worthy topic for the 9.5 million listeners who regularly tune into the […]
Posted inNEWS, UK
IN PICTURES: Bremont marks time at the Henley Royal Regatta
Bremont and its partners were messing about on the river this weekend as the British watch brand laid on the hospitality as Official Timekeeper of the Henley Regatta. The event, which took place from 28 June to 2 July, hosted a Bremont pop-up boutique on site showcasing the whole Bremont range. Speaking ahead of the […]
Posted inNEWS, UK
Rotary reminds customers about its British heritage
Rotary is streamlining its UK business tactics with a simplified approach designed to connect directly with consumers. The company is reminding customers about the British heritage of the brand by organising much of its production into collections named after places in the UK. Annette Hill-Stewart, Rotary’s executive vice president explains: “The strategy for 2017 is to […]
Posted inEDITOR'S CHOICE, LEAD STORY, NEWS, UK
European sales boost financial results for Seiko UK Limited
Seiko says that its UK subsidiary’s commercial performance has been boosted by better sales in Continental Europe in its latest financial year. Turnover rose by 13% from £64.4 million to £72.9 million for the 12 months ending March 31, 2017. However, the accounts for Seiko UK Limited state that the fastest growth for the business […]
Posted inNEWS, Research, UK
Profit increases 20% at expanding Robert Gatward
Robert Gatward has reported sales rising by 11.6% in its latest financial year. The jeweller, which has stores in Abingdon, Ipswich, Windsor, Thame and Reading, increased turnover from £8.54 million to £9.53 million in the financial year ending September 30, 2016. Profit increased from £807,000 to £1 million. Robert Gatward stores are tailored to local market […]
Posted inNEWS, UK
Montblanc signs five year as official timekeeper at Goodwood Festival of Speed
SIHH visitors saw a slew of watches from Montblanc with a strong motor racing theme, and now the brand is promoting its change of gears into precision timekeepers by signing a five year partnership deal with the Goodwood Festival of Speed. The four day event, Britain’s biggest motor racing festival, ended yesterday (July 2) The Richemont […]
Posted inNEW PRODUCTS, NEWS, UK
Watches of Switzerland names dates for Patek Philippe 2017 novelties launches
Patek Philippe’s 2017 novelties will be on sale at special Watches of Switzerland store events in London and Cardiff throughout July. Almost four months after the collections were unveiled at Basel, they hit showrooms run by the Aurum Holdings retailer in time for an expected influx of high spending tourists to London. Watches of Switzerland […]
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Watchfinder sponsors ITV4 coverage of this year’s Tour de France
Pre-owned watch specialist Watchfinder is sponsoring this year’s ITV4 coverage of the Tour de France, which starts this weekend. The deal will see every segment of the live shows and highlight coverage bookended with video advertising from Watchfinder. This type of sponsorship has become particularly popular in an era when many people record massive sporting […]
Posted inEDITOR'S CHOICE, NEWS, UK
Watch sales account for half of Casio Electronics sales in the UK
It seems peculiar to those of us in the watch world but, until this year, sales of watches accounted for only 40% of Casio Electronics’ turnover in the UK. That share has increased to 50% in the latest financial year (ending March 31, 2017) after a strong performance from G-Shock and other brands under the […]
Posted inEDITOR'S CHOICE, NEWS, UK
Zenith authorises British watchmaker to create customised timepieces
Swiss watchmaker Zenith has officially authorised a UK company to create customised version of its watches. Bamford Watch Department (BWD) can work with customers to create personalised timepieces, or the company can design its own bespoke versions of Zenith watches and and sell them through its own website and retail network. It is the first […]
Posted inEDITOR'S CHOICE, LEAD STORY, NEWS, Research, UK
LVMH Watch & Jewellery UK sales rise by 30% in 2016
LVMH Watch & Jewellery (UK) Limited, which oversees distribution and owned boutiques for TAG Heuer, Hublot, Zenith and Bulgari in the UK, has recorded a 30% rise in sales for its 2016 financial year that ended December 31. Turnover rose from £71.6 million in 2015 to £93 million in 2016. Operating profit rocketed 62% from […]
Posted inINTERVIEWS, LEAD STORY, NEWS, UK
Fraser Hart to unveil new store concept at London’s Brent Cross
Fraser Hart will cut the ribbon on a new concept for its major shopping centre stores in September. The multiple is doubling the size of its Brent Cross boutique in North London’s Brent Cross shopping centre location, and boosting the presence of its key Swiss watch brands including Rolex, Longines, IWC and Breitling. The store […]