Watches of Switzerland
Watches of Switzerland is one of the UK’s leading luxury watch and jewellery retailers, with a strong presence through its eponymous stores and Goldsmiths brand. Its strategies in store expansion, brand partnerships, and customer experience set benchmarks for the wider trade and influence market dynamics across both luxury and mid-tier segments. Jewellery Focus provides detailed coverage of Watches of Switzerland’s business performance, leadership moves, product launches, and insights into how its operations shape opportunities and challenges for suppliers, competitors, and trade professionals in the UK jewellery industry.
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Jul- 2015 -31 JulyCrime
Hatton Garden jeweller jailed over stolen watches
Seven men including a Hatton Garden jeweller have been jailed for 64 years for their varying involvement in 10 smash and grab raids across London. Reece Dunford, 31 of Osprey Road, Waltham Abbey, Essex, played a role in all the robberies at high-end shops in the West End. Sometimes he carried…
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6 JulyWatch Focus
Breitling to open Bluewater boutique
Land Securities has announced that watch brand Breitling is set to open a 1,583 sq ft boutique in the Bluewater shopping centre in Dartford. The boutique, which will open this autumn on the shopping centre’s upper Rose Gallery, will be the first of its kind to be managed by Aurum…
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Jun- 2015 -25 JuneRetailers
Watches of Switzerland opens Canary Wharf store
Watches of Switzerland has announced the opening of a new store in London’s financial district, Canary Wharf. The retailer’s new 976 sq ft boutique, located at 22 Canada Place, will offer a mix of luxury watch brands including Audemars Piguet, Blancpain, Bell & Ross, Parmigiani, Baume & Mercier, Bremont, Hublot…
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Mar- 2015 -12 MarchRetailers
Watchfinder posts record £36m turnover
Watchfinder has announced a record-breaking year in 2014, chalking up annual turnover of £36m. The company has been profitable since founding in 2002, however growth over the past year has been more rapid thanks to a round of external investment, a new store opening, growing trust in the brand, and…
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Feb- 2015 -25 FebruaryDesigners
Uno de 50 to open first UK store on London’s Regent Street
Spanish jewellery brand Uno de 50 has announced it will open its first UK store later this year on London’s Regent Street. The firm agreed a 10-year lease with The Crown Estate for a 1,250 sq ft unit. The move represents the brand’s first foray into the UK market, although…
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Nov- 2014 -18 NovemberBrand Profiles
The Second-Hand Uprising
The founders of used watch retailer Watchfinder & Co have secured £6.2m of investment in their company from VCs. Aside from taking the business into the major league, what exactly will this cash injection achieve for the hitherto organically-grown internet startup? By MICHAEL NORTHCOTT. Co-founder and brand director of Watchfinder…
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Aug- 2014 -8 AugustNews
Aurum announces acquisition of Watch Shop
Aurum Group, the luxury jewellery retailer, has announced the acquisition of watch retailer, Watch Shop. Aurum, which includes the Watches of Switzerland, Mappin & Webb and Goldsmiths brands, will acquire 100% of the share capital of Watch Shop. Based in Reading, Watch Shop was formed in 1991 by father and…
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Dec- 2012 -7 DecemberRetailers
Apollo Global acquires Goldsmiths’ owner AURUM
Affiliates of Apollo Global Management have announced that they have signed a definitive agreement to acquire AURUM Holdings Limited – the largest prestige and luxury jewellery retailer in the United Kingdom.
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Oct- 2011 -18 OctoberUncategorized
Aurum Holdings launches Watches of Switzerland website
UK luxury jeweller Aurum Holdings has announced the launch of a transactional website for Watches of Switzerland. The website, which showcases brands available in-store, has been designed to give customers a “world class shopping experience to complement the in-store experience.” It currently allows customers to purchase around 50 per cent…
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