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Tag: watches

  • Hublot opens its largest flagship in Tokyo

    Hublot opens its largest flagship in Tokyo

    LVMH-owned watchmaker Hublot has opened its largest flagship store yet in Tokyo’s Ginza shopping district in Japan.

    Called “Hublot Tower”, the new flagship features a 56-meter-high artistic facade with glass panels scattered with mirrored tiles.

    Located on Chuo-dori Street, Hublot’s Ginza store occupies a 300sqm space, spanning three floors. The store’s design was inspired by the cosmopolitan city, using different materials such as mirrors, glass, marble and metal to create a contemporary style.

    “In only 40 years, Hublot has seen many firsts and many successes, and today is again another milestone for our Maison,” said Ricardo Guadalupe, CEO at Hublot.

    “We have long had a presence on the most prestigious streets in the world’s metropolises and from today in Japan too, our number one market. Hublot Tower is a symbol of the fusion of modernity and tradition that we ardently pursue and uphold in all our actions.”

    All of Hublot’s collections, including the brand’s latest limited-edition Big Bang GMT All Black Yohji Yamamoto watch, can be founded on the store’s first floor. The second-floor houses a VIP experience room, and the third-floor exhibition space.

  • Chinese Prestige Time Experience store opens in Hong Kong

    Chinese Prestige Time Experience store opens in Hong Kong

    Hong Kong’s first Chinese Prestige Time Experience store has launched in Yue Hwa.

    Opened by Sun International Concepts, the outlet serves as a platform to showcase multiple Chinese watch brands, aiming to promote Chinese watch culture against the backdrop of the coronavirus outbreak.

    As the first platform for Chinese watch brands in the territory, consumers can find long-established brands such as Seagull, Shanghai, Beijing and Peacock – all of which have a 60-year history – alongside modern brands.

    A “Lab Tourbillon” area within the store introduces a variety of designer watches highlighting and introducing advances in Chinese tourbillon craftsmanship to the Hong Kong market.

    The 80,000sqft Yue Hwa store has traded in fine Chinese products within Hong Kong since 1959.

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  • Tommy Hilfiger watch store opens in Manila

    Tommy Hilfiger watch store opens in Manila

    The Philippines’ official Tommy Hilfiger distributor Take Wizer Industries has launched the world’s first Tommy Hilfiger watch store in Quezon City.

    The store opened on January 23 at the Upper Ground Floor (UGF), City Center, SM North Edsa, featuring an interactive photo booth for customers to try on the watches for sharing on social media.

    “It’s a great venue to showcase how Tommy’s reputation for fashionably chic iconic apparel translates into the watch design,” said Wizer Industries VP marketing Rainier Jacinto. “The boutique’s design is minimalist but retains a sense of Americana, taking after its parent brand’s h

    “Its pristine look and clean lines give customers the opportunity to focus their attention and appreciation on the workmanship of the timepieces. We’d like to showcase how dynamic a store concept can be by rolling out something really fresh for the Philippine market.”

    “Manila is the perfect market for modern fashion accessories which Tommy Hilfiger watches are known for,” he added.

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  • Panerai opens its first airport boutique – in Hong Kong

    Panerai opens its first airport boutique – in Hong Kong

    Florentine luxury watchmaker Panerai has opened its first-ever airport boutique, at Hong Kong International Airport.

    The new store is the sixth opened in the Hong Kong area and joins existing locations in Canton Road, Landmark Prince’s, IFC, Times Square and Tsim Sha Tsui Centre.

    The new 27sqm boutique stands out for its blend of tradition and future, inviting clients to discover the Maison’s heritage, craftsmanship and technical expertise.

    The brand says the concept of the design and materials used, such as the oak wood and burnished brass, are a reminder of the sea and the heritage of the brand whose roots lie in the history of the Italian Navy.

    Panerai now operates 126 boutiques throughout the world.

  • Breitling opens new concept store at Hong Kong airport

    Breitling opens new concept store at Hong Kong airport

    Swiss luxury watchmaker Breitling has opened a new boutique at Hong Kong International Airport.

    The new outlet features the brand’s industrial loft concept, inspired by mid-20th-Century interior design. The boutique is located at the departure level of Terminal 1 East Hall at HKIA.

    “We especially opened our new boutique at the HKIA as it not only represents Breitling’s century-old association with aviation but we also hope to share our brand history and DNA with travelers all over the world,” said Breitling CEO Georges Kern. “To celebrate the opening of this boutique, the new Aviator 8 Mosquito watch, inspired by the legendary de Havilland Mosquito plane, will be exclusively available in the HKIA store.”

    Modern-retro elements in the store include a neon Breitling logo from the 1940s and 1950s and yellow mesh walls with the stylized “B” vintage logo combined with bespoke furniture. The boutique brings together all of Breitling’s collections, including the latest novelties and some exclusive limited editions. In addition, the boutique also features a VIP area for more personal and discrete customer service.

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  • DFS Group launches ‘World of Watches and Jewelry’ event

    DFS Group launches ‘World of Watches and Jewelry’ event

    Travel retailer DFS Group is launching its first ‘World of Watches and Jewelry’ event through October, targeting millennial, fashion-minded clientele and first-time watch buyers.

    The event is described as “a celebration of watches and jewelry” and will be held in five T Galleria by DFS stores globally: Macau, Hawaii, Okinawa, Guam and Saipan.

    The stores will host a series of activations featuring more than 40 watch and jewelry brands, including 10 that are new to DFS.

    “With our discerning millennial customers in mind, we have sought to develop and curate relevant products and experiences that respond to their needs with creativity and flair,” said Matthew Green, senior VP watches and jewelry at DFS Group.

    The ‘World of Watches and Jewelry’ is interpreted through four themes that reflect the different moods and lifestyles of our consumers.” Those are: Time to Move, Time to Think, Time to Play and Time to Style.

    In addition to this, in Macau, DFS has teamed up with SevenFriday to create a curated pop-up that includes a relaxing lounge bar and a game of chance to win a range of prizes. A Swarovski pop-up featuring mystical moon and star motifs adorns the space, highlighting the Swarovski Symbolic and Swarovski Remix Collections. And Tag Heuer will celebrate it heritage and its presence in motor-racing in collaboration with Aston Martin. Limited-edition watches will be on sale, inspired by Aston Martin’s racing cars.

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  • Breitling unveils new shop at K11 Musea in Hong Kong

    Breitling unveils new shop at K11 Musea in Hong Kong

    Swiss luxury watchmaker Breitling has unveiled a new concept boutique at K11 Musea, featuring a “modern retro loft style”.

    Occupying a 620sqft space in the new shopping centre, the Breitling boutique features an industrial loft-style concept which the brand says is inspired by a mid-20th-century heritage building and adding modern-retro elements, including Breitling’s neon logo from the 1940s and 1950s.

    “Opening our boutique in the K11 Musea underscores the importance of the market in Hong Kong for our brand. Our new approach blends contemporary design with inspiration from our rich heritage and longstanding ties to aviation,”  said Georges Kem, CEO at Breitling.

    “We think it is perfect to launch our new concept store here since K11 Musea is built upon a rich cultural history in the city; its innovative vision and sophistication for exclusivity and bespoke products coincides with the values of our brand.”

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  • Richemont watch Sales Drops

    Richemont watch Sales Drops

    Richemont has brushed aside the gloom and doom of the global watch market, reporting sales of its watches and jewelry grew by 10 percent in the year to March.

    While figures for Swiss watch exports show sluggish sales to Hong Kong and the US this year, Richemont’s brands, which include Baume & Mercier, IWC Schaffhausen, Jaeger-LeCoultre, and Officine Panerai, seem to have some degree of collective immunity.

    The company says jewelry and watch sales did very well in both the US and Asian markets.

    Richemont has reported net more than doubled to €2.79 billion euros (US$3.12 billion) for the full year, largely driven by a one-off gain of €1.38 billion euros relating to its acquisition of Yoox Net-A-Porter Group (YNAP).

    Sales reached €13.99 billion, 27 percent up on last year when including the recently acquired online businesses YNAP and Watchfinder, and up 8 per cent with those companies excluded.

    By brand, the growth was led by jewelry brands Cartier and Van Cleef & Arpels, with IWC and Jaeger LeCoultre, also posting higher growth.

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  • Sincere Fine Watches opening in Changi

    Sincere Fine Watches opening in Changi

    Sincere Fine Watches has opened a multi-brand boutique at Jewel Changi Airport.

    The only luxury multi-brand watch store at the newly opened airport shopping center spans 183sqm and was inspired by Jewel’s dome-shaped facade and modern architecture.

    Glass and rose-gold elements are used throughout the boutique, combined with warm-brown hues on the wooden panels and shades of copper to create a welcoming aura.

    The new boutique brings together 20 international labels, some of them relatively new to the market. They include Armin Strom; Baume & Mercier; Blancpain; Bremont; Graham; Hamilton; IWC Schaffhausen; Longines; Maurice Lacroix; Mido; Montblanc; Panerai; Omega; Rado; TAG Heuer; Tissot; and Tudor.

    Sincere Fine Watches plans more brands and timepieces exclusive to the Jewel Changi store soon.

  • Panerai Opens Tsim Sha Tsui Centre Boutique

    Panerai Opens Tsim Sha Tsui Centre Boutique

    Florentine high-end luxury watchmaker Panerai has opened a boutique in Kowloon.

    The 60sqm Panerai Tsim Sha Tsui Centre store is the fifth opened in Hong Kong, after the Landmark Prince, Canton Road, IFC and Times Square boutiques.

    The concept of the design and materials used reflect Panerai’s Italian tradition and stands as a reference to the underwater universe. The use of oak, veined Italian marble, burnished brass, bronze, and a special “reeded” glass reinterprets the watchmaker’s technical codes, as well as the brass lights and sales counters with wooden details recalling the sea and sailing ships.

    Panerai now has 85 boutiques throughout the world, five of which are in Hong Kong.

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  • Daniel Wellington launched Moments of Love Concept

    Daniel Wellington launched Moments of Love Concept

    Watches and accessories retailer Daniel Wellington has launched a new pop-up with Shinsegae Myeongdong in Seoul. The DW Moments of Love pop-up will run from May 1 to July 3, in line with the brand’s #DWMoments global campaign designed to encourage influencers to open up and share a “true, personal, special moment that they cherish”.

    The campaign features in-depth interviews with different influencers from diverse backgrounds and different corners of the world sharing the most significant moments of their lives, and letting fans see the people behind the Instagram filters and hear the moments that shaped them as human beings.

    “When customers visit Shinsegae Duty-Free, they can meet the hottest brand – Daniel Wellington at our exclusive Moments of Love pop-up,” said Shinsegae’s watch and jewelry GM Sunyung Hong. “I am happy to open this pop-up together with DW, where not only couples but also friends and family can share their precious moments.”

    “With engagement being at the core of our brand, an authentic connection with our fans is a part of our DNA – whether it be online, or offline in our travel retail locations,” stated a press release issued by Daniel Wellington.

    “We believe in meaningful retailtainment, and it is wonderful that our fans can capture their moments through the bullet time cameras, and add their personal meaningful touch on their DW gifts to their loved ones through the ribbon printing service which will be exclusively available at the pop-up!”

    The event concept and offers will be exclusive to Shinsegae for the duration of the pop-up.

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  • Swatch wins trademark lawsuit against Apple

    Swatch wins trademark lawsuit against Apple

    Swatch is no stranger to legal battles with giants like Apple and Samsung, and to some success, we might add. The Swiss company filed a lawsuit against Samsung two months ago, because the South Korean company copied Swatch’s trademark on its smartwatch faces. However, Swatch was sued by Apple two years ago for a similar reason. The Cupertino-based company claimed in the lawsuit that Swatch’s logo – “Tick different,” which is etched on some of its smartwatches, strongly resemble its famous “Think different” slogan.

    Unfortunately for Apple, a Swiss court has just ruled in Swatch’s favor over the use of its “Tick different” logo. Apparently, the court doesn’t think that Swatch’s slogan infringes on Apple’s own logo, but even if they are very similar, the Swiss company claims the “Think Different” advertising campaign wasn’t too popular in Switzerland to warrant protection.

    The Federal Administrative Court has agreed with Swatch and said that Apple hasn’t given the court enough documents that would back up its case. Of course, Swatch wouldn’t stand a chance in the United States where the “Think Different” advertising campaign remains one the most famous in the company’s history.

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  • Baume & Mercier lands Both in Singapore and Malaysia

    Baume & Mercier lands Both in Singapore and Malaysia

    Swiss watch brand Baume & Mercier lands in Singapore and Malaysia today under a new distribution deal with FJ Benjamin.

    The company has inked an exclusive three-year distributorship for the watches, with a two-year extension possible based on certain conditions.

    FJ Benjamin will manage daily operations, sales and support, as well as set up communications and marketing channels to strengthen Baume & Mercier’s brand awareness in the two markets.

    “We are delighted to be appointed exclusive distributor for Baume & Mercier which enjoys a long history in luxury Swiss watchmaking, and is distributed in over 100 countries today,” said Nash Benjamin, FJ Benjamin CEO.

    “We look forward to developing further the presence of the brand in our markets.”

    Romain Lambert, MD of Baume & Mercier, Southeast Asia and Oceania, said the company looks forward to develop a stronger retail network in order to service current and potential Baume & Mercier customers.

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  • Emperor Watch & Jewellery sales slowing down in Hong Kong, Macau

    Emperor Watch & Jewellery sales slowing down in Hong Kong, Macau

    Emperor Watch & Jewellery sales rose strongly in Hong Kong and Macau last year, due to a rebound in tourism in the first half and the opening of new stores.

    Hong Kong remained the group’s core market, with sales there up 19.6 per cent. In Macau, sales rose 224 per cent, according to the company’s latest results.

    Adjusted net profit of $269 million represented a 68.1 per cent improvement over the preceding year.

    Emperor Watch & Jewellery sales in Singapore and Mainland China were broadly stable year on year.

    The company ended the year with 95 stores, a net gain of 15. Six of the new stores were jewellery shops opened in Hong Kong, all in shopping malls with heavy foot traffic, such as Telford Plaza I in Kowloon Bay, APM in Kwun Tong and Mostown in Ma On Shan.

    In Malaysia, the company opened its first store, a 2000sqft site in Pavilion Kuala Lumpur.

    Sales of watches grew 13.1 per cent to HK$3.664 billion, accounting for 77.6 per cent of group sales. Jewellery sales rose by 25.5 per cent to $1.058 billion, thanks to an expanded store network and greater marketing activity.

    In its results, Emperor Watch & Jewellery described last year as one “of contrasts”.

    “The first half of the year was marked by encouraging growth for the luxury consumption market in general. However, this growth was not sustained and the second half was punctuated by a fall-off in market sentiment in the shadow of a prolonged Sino-US trade dispute.”

    It said the macro-economic headwinds such as the trade dispute, a cooling Chinese economy and swings in currencies present “formidable business challenges in the near term”.

    “Over the past decades, the group has witnessed many ups and downs, and has emerged stronger after each cycle. As such, the group will continue to execute responsive and flexible strategies while fine-tuning its priorities to stay competitive. The group will also strive to optimise its cost structures across each level of business and remain vigilant regarding uncertainties on the horizon.”

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  • Longines opens a new flagship store

    Longines opens a new flagship store

    Luxury watchmaker Longines is the latest international retailer to secure a flagship store on Melbourne’s Collins Street after striking a deal with the landlord to modify the property’s façade to meet its global standards.

    The property at 256 Collins Street is set at 148sqm of ground space and additional 138sqm of basement space.

    The retailer initially turned down the space due to the store frontage not meeting the brand’s global requirements but later took a second look after CBRE leasing agents Zelman Ainsworth and Tan Thach worked closely with architecture firm Meiter 3 and the building landlord to draft designs that unlocked the store’s frontage potential and showed Longines what was possible.

    According to CBRE, the heritage building had significant limitations, making it challenging to modify the building. Eventually, they and Meiter 3 curated a council and heritage approved strategy, which also spoke to Longines’ sensitive design identity.

    The draft scheme included removing awnings, amplifying the building’s original architecture – circa 1950 – and mirroring the appearance of other Longines flagship locations across the globe; a classic, bright and timeless store front.

    Longines subsequently secured a 10-year lease over the property at a market rent.

    Ainsworth said there are more opportunities than ever for landlords to work with retailers to reposition their properties and stay relevant.

    “There are endless opportunities for landlords to reposition their real estate to ensure their properties suit a changing retail market,” he said. “Today, retail stores must provide brands with the platform and exposure they need to remain competitive on a global scale and engaged with their customer base.”

    “Ultimately if the shop on offer is one dimensional with no flexibility to adapt to the changing market – it will be difficult for retailers to see any value,” he added.

    Other international retailers who have leased spaced on Collins St over the past 26 months include Gucci, Bottega Veneta, Versace, Fendi, Berluti, TAG Heuer, Coach, Mercedes Me, Omega, Cartier, Burberry and Hour Glass.

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