Richard Mille and IWC have joined the ever-increasing ranks of watch brands with own-brand boutiques in London.
Richard Mille opened an 80sq mt boutique at 90 Mount Street on Tuesday while IWC today announced it would be opening a New Bond Street boutique before the end of the year. Both boutiques will be the brands’ first ventures into own-brand retail in the UK.
Richard Mille selected a location on Mount Street, which is fast becoming a more exclusive alternative to Bond Street for watch brands offering a luxury residential atmosphere. It is already home to Parmigiani Fleurier and retailer William & Son with Bremont just around the corner in South Audley Street.
Peter Harrison, Richard Mille EMEA chief executive officer, said: “Opening the Boutique in London gives prominence to the brand’s global presence and we are delighted to be part of this distinguished and vibrant area of London. The London market is very important for Richard Mille for local sales but also within the context of a truly global market. Our London boutique will offer an additional opportunity to share experiences with the brand in an environment of ultimate luxury where product knowledge and customer service are at the optimum.”
The new two-floor boutique offers a tailor made brand experience with seating areas, a VIP lounge and an interior finished with noble materials, exotic woods, leather and glass.
Sports watches, complicated timepieces and the brand’s new ladies collection will be offered in the boutique as well as limited editions and unique pieces.
IWC today announced that its own-brand boutique at 138 New Bond Street would be open before the end of the year with chief executive officer Georges Kern saying: “An IWC boutique in London has been a key focus of the brand for some time now. It was however, important to find the ideal location, one that provided a fit with both who we are as a brand and our customers’ expectations. We have now found this location; New Bond Street being one of the most famous streets in the world, synonymous with luxury and elegance”.
