88 Rue Du Rhone is celebrating its second birthday this month. The Swiss watch brand, created by the grandsons of legendary watchmaker Raymond Weil, was officially launched on July 11, 2012, at London’s Selfridges.
Pierre and Elie Bernheim have spent the past two years drawing inspiration from their family history, but are determined to leave their own mark on the future of the global watch industry.
88 Rue du Rhone is already enjoying the sort of recognition with retailers that other brands have taken generations to create. It has launched collections at international watch fairs including Baselworld, London Watch Show and JCK, which has helped it forge relationships with renowned stores including Selfridges, Bloomingdales, Tourneau, Lord & Taylor, Macy’s and The Watch Gallery to name a few.
It has also sponsored major entertainment events including signing as Official Time Partner of the BAFTA – British Academy of Film and Television Arts – for the past two years.
“We are so grateful to all our partners who trusted our family expertise and product line. They are making it happen and I would like to express them a very deep and sincere thanks,” said Pierre Bernheim, co-Founder and CEO of 88 Rue Du Rhone.
Selfridges, which hosted the world-wide launch of the watch brand in 2012, suggests it is perfectly positioned for the current market. “88 Rue Du Rhone was really not the brand I was expecting or even looking for,” said Adrian Maronneau, director of buying & merchandising at Selfridges. “But the combination of strong design and craftsmanship, great attention to detail, alongside a very attractive pricing position made me take immediate notice. The brand had all the ingredients to be very commercial and was also filling a void in the market for a modern look with a timeless feel, competitively priced yet carefully crafted Swiss watch. We were delighted to launch the brand as a worldwide exclusive in the Wonder Room of Selfridges Oxford Street and never looked back.”
