Watches of Switzerland Group, the leading multi-channel luxury watch retailer in the UK and a leading retailer of luxury watches in selected regions of the U.S., has gone public and commenced its trading on the Main Market of the London Stock Exchange, trading under the ticker WOSG. The market capitalization of the Company will be approximately £647 million at the commencement of conditional dealings.
Posts filed under News
News: Presenting the Hublot Classic Fusion Chronograph Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic 2019
Hublot revealed its third limited-edition timepiece in collaboration with Veuve Clicquot in honor of the 12th anniversary Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic taking place on June 1, where Hublot is serving as the official timekeeper and scoreboard sponsor. This 12-piece limited edition watch ref. 521.CM.1490.lR.VCP19 is available with straps in Veuve Clicquot Yellow alligator and black leather and features a 45.5 mm case in satin-finished and polished black ceramic. To kick off this year’s Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic, Hublot and Veuve Clicquot unveiled this third limited edition timepiece at Hublot’s Fifth Avenue Boutique and hosted an intimate dinner at Nobu 57 afterwards.
News: HYT Presents Two New Versions of the H0. A Khaki and a Slate Grey that are Pure Fire.
With its latest H0 timepiece, HYT showcases the bare essentials of time’s transience in a watch that is as grounded as it is elevated. Fluidity is the language of the design’s appearance and message. This is translated clearly through sleek lines and shaping, subtly punctuated by splashes of color and underlying utilitarian confidence. The new H0 model’s take on transience and transparency has two variations. In one of these, a khaki dial and rubber strap stylishly camouflage the DLC anthracite coating of the stainless steel case. Red and pale green complete the color palette, with the former taking on the essential task of visualizing recently elapsed hours.
News: Presenting the Ressence Type 1 ZZ. A Collaboration with Laurent Picciotto from Chronopassion Paris.
Ressence was founded in 2010, winners of the 2013 Horological Revelation Award at the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève, Ressence takes a distinctive approach to the craft of contemporary fine watchmaking. Ressence is a Belgian brand based in Antwerp that combines Swiss made calibres with unmatched self-engineered innovation to reimagine how mechanical watches can function and interact with its user in the modern age. When Chronopassion was first founded in 1988, the aim was to gather the most exclusive items in the world of watchmaking under one roof; and today, that original motivation is just as strong as ever.
News: Presenting the Vacheron Constantin Patrimony Perpetual Calendar Ultra-Thin Midnight Blue Dial
An emblematic model from the Patrimony collection is adopting the midnight blue shade specially created for the line. The Patrimony perpetual calendar ultra-thin watch beats to the rhythm of the legendary 1120 QP calibre, an ultra-thin automatic movement. Introduced with an 18K 5N pink gold case measuring 41 mm in diameter and less than 9 mm in thickness, the warm hue of the case is a perfect match for the sunburst satin-finished blue shade of the dial. With its sleek lines embodying quintessential elegance, this version treats connoisseurs to unrivaled contemporary refinement.
News: Phillips Watches Sells Over $25 Million USD at Their Geneva Watch Auction NINE. New Record for a George Daniels Watch and Rolex Submariner ref. 5508.
In another record-breaking sale this past weekend May 11-12, 2019 at the Hôtel La Réserve in Geneva, Switzerland, Phillips Watches, the leader in watch auctions achieved $25,800,625 USD after selling 98% of the 220 lots offered at auction. Just as usual, new records were set for Patek Philippe, Rolex, and independent brands like George Daniels. Even though most of the lots were very important from a horological standpoint, there five to six watches that broke records and that are considered highly important due to their rarity and history in the world of horology.
News: Presenting the Bremont Jaguar D-Type Limited Edition
Jaguar Classic recently re-started production of the iconic 1950s D-type race car in Coventry, 64 years after the first examples were built. In 1955 Jaguar planned to build 100 D-types but only 75 were completed; Jaguar Classic is now fulfilling the company’s original ambition by creating 25 all-new, period-correct sports cars. The triple Le Mans-winning D-type is the third continuation vehicle to come out of the Jaguar Classic workshops, following six missing Lightweight E-types completed in 2014-2015 and nine XKSSs built in 2017-2018.
Breaking News: Larry Pettinelli Departs Patek Philippe USA. Lisa Jones Promoted to President.
Something we didn’t think would ever happen was for Larry Petinelli to ever leave Patek Philippe USA after serving as President of Patek Philippe USA —The Henri Stern Watch Agency, Inc.— for more than a decade. Today, Patek Philippe USA announced the promotion of Lisa Jones to President of The Henri Stern Watch Agency, Inc—the exclusive American importer and distributor for Patek Philippe in the USA. Prior to joining Patek Philippe 15 years ago, Ms. Jones served as the Vice President and Marketing Director for Antiquorum during almost six years.
News: Presenting New Montblanc 1858 Split Second Chronograph Limited Edition
Like on the original timepiece from Minerva from which it takes its inspiration, the new Montblanc 1858 Split Second Chronograph features a telemeter scale that runs around the dial, which was a typical feature on the legendary Minerva chronographs. A telemeter makes it possible to measure the distance of a phenomenon which is both visible and audible, like the lightning and thunder in a storm. The chronograph hand starts at the instant the phenomenon is seen —for instance lightning— and then it is stopped when the sound is heard —thunder. The position on the scale shows at first glance the distance in kilometers separating the phenomenon from the user from the storm, in this particular example.
Insider: MB&F Legacy Machine Split Escapement Titanium Green. A Watch with an Incredibly Iridescent Dial.
First released in 2017, the MB&F Legacy Machine Split Escapement is now also available in grade 5 titanium, sporting a sun-ray CVD green dial and in a highly exclusive 33-piece limited edition. With an incredibly iridescent green dial that depending on lighting conditions appears blueish or even pinkish like a mother-of-pearl dial, the new MB&F Legacy Machine Split Escapement Titanium Green features a 14 mm wide balance that seems to oscillate on its own without any visible escapement wheel and anchor. Turning the watch over reveals the escapement and its components concealed almost 12 mm below, hence, the name ‘Split Escapement’.
News: Presenting the A. Lange & Söhne Lange 1 Tourbillon Perpetual Calendar '25th Anniversary' ref. 720.066
The third limited edition from A. Lange & Söhne’s 25th Anniversary Collection is the new Lange 1 Tourbillon Perpetual Calendar. In an elegant and subtle manner, this new watch integrates a perpetual calendar and a tourbillon in the inimitable design of the Lange 1. As a tribute to its anniversary, A. Lange & Söhne introduces the most complicated model of this watch family in a 25-piece 18K white-gold edition with blued-steel hands. First launched in 2012, the Lange 1 Tourbillon Perpetual Calendar incorporates a rotating peripheral ring that indicates the month to integrate all calendar indications in the dial architecture of the Lange 1 model.
Breaking News: Patrick Ottomani Appointed CEO of Audemars Piguet North America
In an unexpected move, Mr. Patrick Ottomani has been appointed Chief Executive Officer of Audemars Piguet North America, effective April 8, 2019. Based in the company’s New York City office, Mr. Ottomani oversees all responsibilities previously held by Antonio Seward and reports directly to Mr. Yves Meylan, Chief Commercial Officer, in Le Brassus, Switzerland. Mr. Ottomani rose through the ranks of the luxury industry with tenures in the hospitality business in London, Paris and Dublin. He joined Berluti as Chief Executive Officer in 1993, when the brand was acquired by LVMH.
News: Breitling Pulls Out of Baseworld. Tudor to Have its Own Stand-Alone Booth as Rolex Grows within the Fair.
After two years of uncertainty whether Breitling would continue at Baselworld or not, the Swiss luxury watch brand has finally opted to leave Baselworld as of next year. Breitling now in the reigns of Georges Kern —former CEO for Richemont’s IWC—, has decided that is better to showcase in its own format for 2020. In the words of Michel Loris-Melikoff —Managing Director of Baselworld—: “We very much regret that Breitling will not be exhibiting at Baselworld 2020. However, there have been very constructive and cooperative discussions with the watch manufacturer in recent weeks.” In 2020, Breitling will be relying on its previously launched Summit platform to which dealers, the media and collectors will be invited.
News: Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Chrono ref. 26338PT 'Unique Piece' Sells for USD 220,000 at the One Night for One Drop Foundation Gala
Despite its estimated value of USD 112,000, the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Chrono ‘Unique Piece’ ref. 26338PT.OO.1220PT.01 sold for almost double its price hammering USD 220,000 at the 7th annual One Night for One Drop event imagined by Cirque du Soleil. Sold along five other lots that included a McLaren 570S Spider by MSO —one of six—, a private jet round-trip to a Turks and Caicos Island Villa on Parrot Cay, a Serengeti Safari-Living Experience in Tanzania, a 7-night getaway at the Château Saint Tropez for 12 Guests, and a luxury 7-night Journey aboard the Residential Yacht, The World; this very special unique piece Royal Oak helped in raising funds and awareness to benefit critical water issues worldwide.
Presenting: MB&F Legacy Machine FlyingT. The First MB&F Ladies Timepiece Ever.
The unexpected and a very surprising move by MB&F when they shared with us what is their first ladies timepiece ever. The creative process behind the just released MB&F Legacy Machine FlyingT started four years ago, when Maximilian Büsser began thinking about making something inspired by the feminine influences in his life. “I created MB&F to do what I believe in, making three-dimensional sculptural kinetic art pieces that give the time. But at some point there came a desire to create something for the women in my family. I’ve been surrounded by their influence all my life, so I gave myself the challenge to do something for them” says Büsser. “The last thing I wanted to do, was to take a masculine timepiece, resize it, put a different color on it and call it a ladies’ watch.”
News: Breitling Premier Bentley Centenary Limited Edition. Celebrating 17 years of Partnership and 100 Years of Luxury Motoring.
Breitling and Britain’s Bentley Motors enjoy the longest-ever partnership between a watch brand and an automobile manufacturer. In fact, it dates back to 2002, when Bentley, the world’s most admired luxury car brand, launched the very first Continental GT. For this particular car, Bentley commissioned Breitling to create an onboard clock that would reflect the unparalleled luxury, peerless quality, and extraordinary performance of the new grand tourer, which was debuted in 2003. To celebrate their partnership and 100 years of luxury motoring, Breitling just announced the new Breitling Premier Bentley Centenary Limited Edition ref. RB01181A1Q1X1 produced in 18K red gold or stainless steel.
News: A. Lange & Söhne Grand Lange 1 Moon Phase '25th Anniversary'. The Second Limited Edition from the Anniversary Collection.
Today, A. Lange & Söhne announced the second model of the ten watches they will be releasing this year for the anniversary collection. This new 25-piece A. Lange & Söhne Grand Lange 1 Moon Phase limited edition features a lunar disc engraved by hand for the first time. Commemorating the launch of the Lange 1 in October 1994, the Grand Lange 1 Moon Phase will be released as a jubilee edition in white gold with a limitation of 25 watches. It features a silver colored dial in solid silver with printed deep blue numerals and a white-gold lunar disc with hand engraved stars.
Experience: Watches & Wonders Miami 2019. Watches, Cars, People and the Good Life.
This past weekend, we attended the second edition of Watches & Wonders Miami 2019 which took place at the Miami Design District from February 15th-17th, 2019. This event organized by the Miami Design District Associates in partnership with the FHH —Fondation de la Haute Horlogerie— presented 30 brands including: A. Lange & Sohne, Audemars Piguet, Bvlgari, Cartier, De Bethune, Dior, F.P. Journe, Girard-Perregaux, H. Moser & Cie., Hublot, HYT, IWC, Jaeger-LeCoultre, Kari Voutilainen, Louis Vuitton, Omega, Panerai, Piaget, RJ Romain Jerome, Roger Dubuis, Romain Gauthier, Speake-Marin, Tag Heuer, Tiffany & Co., Ulysse Nardin, Vacheron Constantin, Van Cleef & Arpels and Zenith.
News: Romain Gauthier Prestige HMS Stainless Steel. A Meteorite Dial 10-Piece Limited Edition.
Today, Romain Gauthier announced its first series watch in stainless steel featuring a stunning dial crafted from ultra rare, visually arresting meteorite. Founded in 2005, Romain Gauthier is a very high-end independent watch brand based in the Vallée de Joux and led by its passionate founder Romain Gauthier. The new Romain Gauthier Prestige HMS Stainless Steel is available in a 10-piece limited edition and its dial is crafted from an ultra rare Henbury meteorite. The meteorite used to make the dial is an octahedrite —an iron meteorite— that was discovered in 1931 at the Henbury crater field in the Northern Territory of Australia, one of the country’s best known meteorite impact sites.
News: L’Epée 1839 Time Fast D8. 1950s Racing Cars Meet Swiss Clockmaking.
The new L’Epée 1839 Time Fast D8 limited edition clock evokes the excitement of becoming a race driver or experiencing the thrills of speed, as intended by its creator, Georg Foster. This vintage-inspired race car and a modern clock in one is a kinetic sculpture that tells the time. It was designed by Georg Foster, a promising young newcomer and major contributor to this second collaboration between ECAL —Ecole cantonale d’art de Lausanne— and the Swiss manufacture. The piece features a number of eye-catching details, such as the long protruding engine hood, the typical 1950s radiator grill, the large spoked wheels, the driving seat positioned to the rear and the sloping back section.
