Switzerland
Switzerland is a global powerhouse in luxury jewellery and watchmaking, home to renowned brands and a highly skilled manufacturing sector. For UK jewellers, suppliers, and trade professionals, understanding Switzerland’s influence on design trends, supply chains, and market dynamics is crucial. Jewellery Focus provides coverage on Swiss jewellery and watch brands, trade developments, innovations, and insights into how the country’s expertise shapes the international jewellery industry.
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Mar- 2018 -21 MarchAuctions
Historic diamond ‘The Farnese Blue’ to auction for first time
Historic diamond, ‘The Farnese Blue’, will appear on the market for the first time in its history this spring, after having remained in the same family for over three centuries. Given to Elisabeth Farnese the Queen of Spain, on a diadem that formerly belonged to Marie-Antoinette, the diamond has subsequently…
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19 MarchCrime
Moped thieves use samurai swords in smash-and-grab raid
A gang of moped thieves wielding samurai swords and sledge hammers have raided the Watches of Switzerland jewellery store on London’s Regent Street. The Metropolitan Police were called to the scene at 14:09 on 18 March 2018, following reports of a smash-and-grab raid at a jewellers by a group of…
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Dec- 2017 -6 DecemberFeatures
Brexit and British watches
The diversity of British watch brands in price points and positioning as well as manufacturing processes leads to a range of different concerns about Brexit across the resurgent industry, but even those most concerned feel Brexit has been good for them so far. Mike France, co-founder of Christopher Ward, could…
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Nov- 2017 -6 NovemberE-Commerce
Aurum Holdings offers online video concierge service
Aurum Holdings has teamed up with live customer engagement company, Vee24, to use video chat to provide an online concierge service for customers. This personal service, available from 8am to 10pm, 7 days a week, covers the full product range at Watches of Switzerland, and selected high value items at…
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Oct- 2017 -30 OctoberRetailers
Watches of Switzerland opens Manchester boutique
Watches of Switzerland has announced the opening of a new Manchester showroom. Previously located on King Street, the newly designed retail space has enabled the brand to expand to two floors. The move marks the next step in the company’s expansion plans by taking up residence in Manchester’s St Ann’s…
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May- 2017 -24 MayRetailers
Breitling opens first store in Manchester’s Trafford Centre
Swiss watchmaker Breitling has opened its first store at the Intu Trafford Centre in Manchester. The store will launch later this month and will be managed by Aurum Holdings, whose portfolio includes Watches of Switzerland, Goldsmiths and Mappin & Webb. The Breitling store will be the second largest monobrand opening…
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16 MayCurrent Affairs
Tag Heuer to open its largest UK store
Swiss watch brand Tag Heuer will be opening its largest UK store in Meadowhall, Yorkshire. The shopping venue, which is joint-owned by British Land, has undergone a £60m refurbishment program which included a £16m retailer investment. Some 42 brands have redesigned their stores in the renovation and Tag Heuer is…
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2 MayCurrent Affairs
London investors buy Breitling
London-based private equity group CVC Capital Partners has bought a controlling stake in Breitling for a reported €800m (£677m). Breitling’s CEO Théodore Schneider said the deal will leave CVC with an 80% stake, and Breitling will retain the remaining 20% of the group. “I am convinced CVC is the right…
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Jan- 2017 -4 JanuaryRetailers
Aurum Holdings set for auction amid sales boom
The owner of luxury watch and jewellery group Aurum Holdings is reportedly preparing to sell the business after posting “strong sales” following the EU referendum. The company, which owns Goldsmiths, Mappin & Webb and Watches of Switzerland, could be sold later this year after its controlling shareholder Apollo Global Management…
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Sep- 2016 -7 SeptemberRetailers
Aurum Holdings opens the Watch Lab in Newcastle
The Watch Lab, part of Aurum Holdings following its recent acquisition, has opened its doors on Northumberland Street in Newcastle. Based within the Monument Wall development, the store represents the seventh Aurum-operated venture in the region joining stores such as the Northern Goldsmiths and Reid & Sons in Newcastle city…
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