The jewelry retailer is zeroing in on Zales, Jared, Kay Jewelers, and Blue Nile as it looks to create unique brand identities for each.
Watches of Switzerland Opens US Flagship
The experience-focused retail concept in New York City marks a larger push into the American market.

Located in New York City’s SoHo neighborhood in downtown Manhattan, a top shopping area, the new 8,000-square-foot boutique at 60 Greene St. carries brands like Patek Philippe, Rolex, Omega, Cartier and other luxury watch labels.
Opened this week, the store is part of the Watches of Switzerland Group’s push into the U.S.
The company, formerly known as Aurum Holdings, is the U.K.’s largest seller of the aforementioned watch brands, as well as TAG Heuer and Breitling. It also operates U.K. jewelers Goldsmiths and Mappin & Webb, the latter of which is goldsmith and silversmith to Queen Elizabeth II.
Last year, the company acquired U.S. retail chain Mayors Jewelers from Birks Group and set up its first U.S. Watches of Switzerland store at the Wynn Las Vegas, which moved this week to the Wynn Esplanade.
The New York City flagship is designed to be—that most popular of today’s retail buzzwords—experiential.
The two-story space features a bar created in partnership with famed New York City cocktail lounge Death & Co., where drinks crafted specifically for the space will be served by Death & Co. bartenders.
Esquire magazine Fashion Director Nick Sullivan has curated a library and bookshop for the store, features tomes not only on luxury watches, but also on automobiles and yachts.
The location also will serve as an art gallery, hosting a rotating exhibition of contemporary photography curated by nonprofit Aperture, with all works for sale.
Rounding out the multilayered retail approach will be special timepiece pop-ups, held every few months and showcasing emerging brands. Vintage watch dealers Analog/Shift will also present an ongoing selection of rare and special vintage pieces.
Brian Duffy, CEO of Watches of Switzerland Group, noted in a statement from the company, “Our Watches of Switzerland SoHo flagship is a special achievement for us on many levels. From our choice of location, to the design and architectural detailing in the store, to our exceptional products, partners and the talented team we’ve assembled—all come together to make this an experience unlike any other in the watch industry today.”
Watches of Switzerland doesn’t plan to slow down its stateside expansion. In March 2019 it will open a store in Manhattan’s Hudson Yards highly-anticipated shopping development and the company also said it will set up shop at New Jersey’s to-be-completed American Dream shopping complex.
The Latest

Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, a development economist, will head the fund created to help Botswana diversify its economy.

A private collection of five Paraíba tourmalines also will be up for sale at Sotheby’s High Jewelry auction in New York, scheduled for June 16.

As gold prices rise, today’s retailers are looking for alternatives at prices that will appeal to wider audiences.

From Gen Z’s view of luxury to “doom spending,” these are the six consumer trends to note this year.


The show started by honoring Mildred Marcano, ended with a tearful Beth Anne Bonanno, and recognized a dozen-plus designers in between.

The revamped online diamond marketplace will feature pricing intelligence and data-driven tools for more efficient buying and selling.

With the trade and customer trust in mind, GIA® developed NextGem™ – on-demand training designed specifically for retail.

The miner said demand for higher-quality emeralds is stable, but there is notable caution in the market.

The “River of Heaven” necklace, our Piece of the Week debuting at Couture, combines 26 salt and pepper diamonds spaced by Tahitian pearls.

This year’s inductees include second-, third-, and fourth-generation jewelers.

The author, speaker, and entrepreneur will give his presentation, “Spiritual Billionaire,” on Saturday morning.

Three-time Grammy award-winning artist Nelly is set to perform at the annual event at Tao Beach on Sunday night.

Signet will integrate the online-only, natural diamond-focused jeweler into Blue Nile, which it wants to position as a higher-end retailer.

These up-and-coming jewelry brands are bringing their distinct aesthetic and unique point-of-view to the Design Atelier for the first time.

The lab’s proprietary diamond cut grade has been expanded to include the popular fancy shape.

This year, it’s what could happen outside of show hours that worries JSA Executive Vice President Scott Guginsky.

High-end fashion houses know how to emotionally connect with customers online. Retail jewelers should take note, Emmanuel Raheb writes.

The designers are the third cohort of mentees from the show’s Belonging @ Couture mentorship program.

Buying discipline at trade shows starts with clarity about your inventory levels, Smith writes.

The trade show’s education series returns, with sessions on retail trends, AI, watches, marketing, corporate responsibility, and more.

The Curated Designer Project has expanded to highlight eight independent jewelry designers during CBG’s Las Vegas show.

Bring a cool tone to your summer jewelry with these white metal pieces.

The deal closed this week, which means Instore will produce the JA NY show slated to take place this fall.

The company’s jewelry sales were up in Q4 and the fiscal year, with Richemont raising prices in part because of the cost of gold.

The “Bauble” capsule collection of colorful one-of-a-kinds includes our Piece of the Week, the “Bauble” earrings, featuring rose zircon.

The updated catalog has a newly dedicated section for gift wrapping.


























