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Watches of Switzerland Opens Broadgate Showroom
By Sarah Jayne Potter | 8 minute read
We are proud to announce the opening of our latest flagship luxury retail destination, situated in the heart of London’s bustling financial and cultural district. With 530m² of retail space arranged over two floors, and including representation from the world’s leading Swiss watchmakers, the opening heralds an exciting new chapter in our history of selling exceptional timepieces in the City.
Founded in 1924, Watches of Switzerland began trading as a bespoke mail-order business under the name G & M Lane on Ludgate Hill, one of three ancient hills situated in the capital. Nearly a century later, following years of growth across London and the rest of the United Kingdom, we are thrilled to be returning to this historic, vibrant and hugely successful community within the City of London. Surrounded by iconic landmarks such as St Paul’s Cathedral, world leading restaurants and hospitality, along with a diverse array of cultural and business hot-spots, we’re looking forward to immersing ourselves in the best the City has to offer. Thankfully, we already feel right at home.
As 2020 draws to a close, we at the Watches of Switzerland Group are excited to round off the year in a strong and positive fashion. Opening our new flagship showroom at 100 Liverpool Street in the City of London is the perfect finish to what has been a great year for us, despite the obvious challenges. It also marks a welcome return to East London – a location close to our hearts, as it is where we first began trading, on Ludgate Hill way back in 1924. The impressive Broadgate showroom will deliver an unrivalled luxury shopping experience across two floors. It will include a 56m² Rolex showroom, and a 37m² OMEGA showroom, alongside eight beautifully arranged sales areas for our long-standing Watches of Switzerland brand partners, including Audemars Piguet, Tudor, Cartier, IWC, Jaeger-LeCoultre, Panerai, Hublot and Breitling. The space also offers a luxurious VIP lounge and hospitality area, where we can offer private consultations or host exclusive events and launches. Our aim for 2021 and beyond is to build a passionate local community of horology fans who enjoy spending their time with us and our welcoming, knowledgeable team. BRIAN DUFFY, CEO OF THE WATCHES OF SWITZERLAND GROUP
Brand Highlights
Rolex
Rolex represents the pinnacle of Swiss watchmaking and its new collections are always hotly anticipated. From classic dress timepieces like the Datejust 41 to more masculine tool watches such as the new Submariner or the exceptional Sky-Dweller, its easy to see why Rolex’s appeal is timeless.
The Broadgate showroom is an opportunity for the buying team to really show what we are made of. As a flagship destination, it’s so important we represent the best of our partner brands and help to share their story with our clients. I personally think the selection of brands on show, and the breadth of product available, is one of the best we’ve ever assembled at Watches of Switzerland. With so many great releases in 2020, such as the new Rolex Oyster Perpetual and the new OMEGA Constellation 41mm, we were truly spoilt for choice. I’m confident, however, that we’ve picked the very best. LISA BROUN, SENIOR LUXURY WATCH BUYER FOR THE WATCHES OF SWITZERLAND GROUP
Audemars Piguet
Audemars Piguet is the oldest fine watchmaking manufacturer still in the hands of its founding families (Audemars and Piguet). Since 1875, the house fondly known as ‘AP’ has created industry-defining pieces of haute horlogerie, including a number of world firsts. Today, it remains an expert in the field of luxury horology.I love the excitement that comes with opening new Watches of Switzerland showrooms. It represents an opportunity for us as a business to really show to the wider world what we are all about. With a flagship showroom such as Broadgate, it creates an exciting opportunity for myself and my team to showcase a full suite of exceptional Swiss brands and timepieces. For me, the addition of Audemars Piguet to the showroom is especially exciting. Its 34mm Royal Oak adorned with a diamond-set bezel, for instance, is such a refined choice for successful ladies working in The City. MARK TOULSON, HEAD OF WATCH BUYING FOR THE WATCHES OF SWITZERLAND GROUP
Omega
Famous for being seen on the wrists of Apollo astronauts, many of the world’s greatest divers and, of course, James Bond, OMEGA has a long heritage of creating watches you can place your trust in. With a rock-solid tradition for innovation with style, OMEGA effortlessly caters for all.
Tudor
Created by Rolex Founder Hans Wilsdorf as a way to explore fresh designs and ideas, the Tudor brand has a cult status among fans of quality watchmaking. Considered the edgier younger sibling to the more established Rolex, Tudor has built its own legend with a suite of memorable timepieces.
Cartier
Since 1847, Cartier has followed its creative intuition to craft some of the world’s most elegant wristwatches. From era-defining models such as the Tank, to avant-garde explorations of beauty with the Ballon Bleu or Pasha, the Maison is respected for its world-leading artistry and vision.
Jaeger-LeCoultre
Jaeger-LeCoultre has secured a reputation for exceptional skill, dedication and engineering thanks to its formidable capacity, producing over 1200 in-house movements since 1833. This reputation for intricate and innovative watchmaking remains in place to this day across its range of classic and refined luxury timepieces.
IWC
From its very beginnings, IWC has been closely linked to the worlds of sailing, navigation, and the quest for new horizons. Thanks to its reputation for accuracy, excellent build quality and modern design principles, IWC’s timepieces continue to inspire those looking to forge their own path on land, sea, or in the air.
Panerai
Panerai began life by supplying diving watches and precision luminous instruments to the Italian Navy and elite units. The luminous substance used was called Luminor, which became the name of the brand’s most famous family of timepieces. Today, Panerai is renowned for big, bold, confident timepieces that stand out from the crowd.
Hublot
Hublot’s pioneering watchmakers turn the most unlikely mix of materials and design cues into horological works of art. Long regarded as a powerhouse of innovation, Hublot always keeps its memorable motto – ‘The Art of Fusion’ – at the heart of its design philosophy for every new watch it creates.
Breitling
With its heritage of producing exceptional chronographs, Breitling has been a long-standing partner to the world of aviation, where reliability, legibility and precision are vital elements to consider. With an unrelenting devotion to quality, Breitling continues to craft wristwatches for those with active lifestyles.
Ulysse Nardin
For a limited time, the Broadgate showroom will host a Ulysse Nardin pop-up. The brand uses pioneering watchmaking techniques to craft breathtaking timepieces that are inspired by the oceans. Mixing exquisite traditional complications with the very latest materials, Ulysse Nardin watches are the choice of connoisseurs who dream of uncharted waters and hidden treasures.
It really is an exciting time to be working on such an amazing project such as Broadgate. As a buying team we have been lucky enough to work with our partners to push the boundaries. Our showroom is a destination for exquisite and luxury timepieces, providing our clients with a truly unique experience every time they visit. For a limited time only we will be showcasing a handful of amazing timepieces from Ulysse Nardin, who, as always, have really broken the mould this year with the release of the Executive ‘BLAST’. Featuring an automatic tourbillon nestled in an X shaped cage, the beating heart of this piece is open for the world to see through the skeletonised dial, a piece that really should not, and cannot be missed. HEATHER GRANT, JUNIOR BUYING FOR SPECIALIST WATCHES FOR THE WATCHES OF SWITZERLAND GROUP
We talk to Francesco Paparella, General Manager of our new Watches of Switzerland showroom in Broadgate, London.
Francesco, please tell us about yourself and your role with us?
I’m delighted to be the General Manager for our new Broadgate showroom. I will be overseeing a team of 21 people – 16 sales consultants, three sales-floor managers and one deputy showroom director, plus one person back-of-house. I joined the Watches of Switzerland Group in February of this year, and have a wealth of experience when it comes to working with luxury brands. My previous role was Retail Director of a luxury store in Moscow where we sold Rolex, Patek Philippe, IWC and Chopard among other fine watch brands.
How exciting is the Broadgate opening?
Very exciting, especially as we are opening this flagship showroom in The City of London. We opened our first showroom here in 1924, so it’s like coming back to our roots. There’s a lot of expectation, and we’re looking forward to delivering an excellent service to our clients.
What can clients expect when shopping with us at Broadgate?
It’s important to note that not only do we sell exceptional timepieces. We also sell an experience. All of our colleagues are experts in luxury horology, and will be advising our clients on specific details across our range to make their visit both rewarding and enjoyable. We want people to remember shopping with us at Broadgate.
In your opinion, what makes Swiss watches so desirable?
Swiss watchmakers are the very best, and are known throughout the world for making superb timepieces. The heritage of Swiss watches is also very exciting. They are precise, reliable and expertly crafted. Here at Broadgate, we are proud to offer the best of the best from the industry.
What is the main advantage for clients shopping in a multi-brand retailer like Broadgate?
We offer an outstanding range of illustrious luxury Swiss brands. So if, for example, a client is looking for a chronograph, our showroom team can walk them around the showroom comparing offerings from one brand to another, based on requests or needs. We want to provide a complete experience for clients, and we think it’s a great opportunity for people to become fully immersed in the art of Swiss watchmaking.
Do you have a personal luxury-watch story to share?
I truly love all of our brands. They are the best of the best. But perhaps my most memorable luxury watch is a Rolex Datejust 36mm that my parents gifted me following my graduation from university. It is very important to me, and a watch I wear on special occasions.
For clients considering their first luxury watch purchase, what advice would you share?
First of all, our team at Broadgate is committed to ensuring our clients have the best information available on the timepieces they are looking to purchase. Secondly, we like to go with emotions. It’s very important to find watches that create a very strong first impression for our clients. Something that instantly captures their imagination. We are there to help clients make the right choice for them.
What are your hopes for Broadgate now and in the future?
We’ll be ensuring that everyone who walks into Broadgate receives a fantastic service. The goal is to create a consistently brilliant luxury retail experience, time and time again.
You can visit our Broadgate Showroom from December onwards at Unit G06 Octagon Mall, Liverpool Street, London EC2M 2AU.
