Leeds has become a hot spot for prestige watch shoppers in recent years as the locally-based Berry’s Jewellers raised standards for the likes of Patek Philippe, Cartier and Vacheron Constantin in the face of competition from major multiples including Beaverbrooks, Goldsmiths and Chisholm Hunter.
But watch manufacturers can be fickle partners so, despite Berry’s creating a monobrand Panerai boutique above its historic store in the Victoria Quarter shopping arcade in 2018, the Richemont-owned brand has teamed up with Ernest Jones to open a showroom on Commercial Street.
Ernest Jones already runs IWC and Montblanc boutiques in the Yorkshire city.
“We see strong potential for Panerai in Leeds and this new concept boutique will convey the full brand universe to our clients. We are happy to be partnering with Ernest Jones with their expertise in the UK market, established for over 70 years,” Mr Pontroué says.
Berry’s celebrated its 125th anniversary in 2022 and opened a Leeds boutique with Richemont-owned Vacheron Constantin last year.
Neil Old, managing director for Signet Jewelers, the parent company of Ernest Jones, says it is an honour to be partnering with Panerai for the opening in Leeds.
“Steeped in history and renowned for its design, innovation and craftmanship, we are excited to welcome clients into the world of Panerai, through an immersive, multisensory shopping experience, that brings this celebrated Italian watchmaker’s captivating story to life,” he adds.
The Panerai Leeds boutique uses a new concept from the brand that was first unveiled at its Geneva showroom and then adopted for its new Manhattan flagship.
It will be a physical embodiment of Panerai’s four pillars: its Italian roots, the sea, modern heroes, and technicity.
As in Geneva and New York, the interior houses a fully functioning luminescent Panerai clock and a large LED wall for video promotions.
Mixing materials is key to Panerai, and this is picked up in the store’s use of concrete, marble-effect flooring, wood veneer and metal grids.
