This year’s WatchPro Awards will be unique in two key ways.
First, the event will be combined with the Professional Jeweller Awards, which were due to take place in September and now looks unlikely to be a month where a large gathering could take place.
Secondly, the expanded event will have a number of special categories recognising the outstanding contributions made by individuals, teams and companies to keep hope, morale and business activity alive during the ruinous lock down.
The WatchPro and Professional Jeweller Awards dinner takes place on November 3 in central London.
In previous years, the WatchPro Awards has been the biggest industry event of the year, welcoming the most senior executives from retailers and suppliers including Watches of Switzerland, TAG Heuer, Breitling, Goldsmiths, Chopard, Omega, Mappin & Webb, Bremont, Ernest Jones, Citizen, H. Samuel, Seiko, Grand Seiko, Beaverbrooks, Michel Herbelin, Laings, Patek Philippe, Berry’s, Amazon, Argos, Bucherer, Pragnell, Weir & Sons, Swatch Group, Casio, LVMH and Richemont.
Professional Jeweller reports on behalf of many of the same retailers, and will also bring a different perspective to the Awards night with retailers that have a stronger focus on jewellery, and with a sparkling mix of international brands and local designer makers.
“We estimate that retailers accounting for over 90% of watch sales in the UK are present at the WatchPro Awards dinner. It is a genuinely important night for the industry and we are making every effort to ensure it can go ahead safely in November,” says WatchPro editor Rob Corder. “For the future health of the watch and jewellery business in this country, it is vital that look forward to coming together and sharing our experiences after the ruinous lock down we have been enduring.”
Four special Awards will be presented on November 3 that recognise the outstanding efforts businesses and individuals have made to maintain momentum during lock down. These include:
- Leadership in Adversity Team of the Year
- Innovator of the Year Wards
- Team Wellness Award
- Act of Generosity Award, focused on fundraising and awareness initiatives during the pandemic.
There are seven Awards for excellence in the retail business:
- Independent Watch Retailer of the Year, sponsored by WOLF
- Multiple Watch Retailer of the Year, sponsored by Michel Herbelin
- Independent Jeweller of the Year, sponsored by Curteis
- Multiple Jeweller of the Year
- Best New Store or Refurbishment of the Year (specialising in watches, jewellery or both)
- Ecommerce Retailer of the Year (specialising in watches, jewellery or both)
- Department Store Retailer of the Year, sponsored by Mondaine.
For jewellery and watch brands, there are eight awards:
- Luxury Watch Brand of the Year (>£5000)
- Affordable Luxury Watch Brand of the Year (£1000 – £5000)
- Lifestyle Watch Brand of the Year (<£1000)
- Fine Jewellery Brand of the Year
- Fashion Jewellery Brand of the Year
- Jewellery Supplier of the Year
- Breakthrough brand of the Year
- Marketing and Merchandising Team of the Year, sponsored by Redd Retail Group.
Nominations are now open, and we particularly encourage people to tell their stories now relating to outstanding achievements during the Coronavirus crisis.
Please e-mail rob.corder@itp.com giving the name of the Award Category, the name of the business or team you are nominating, the reason for the nomination, and any supporting evidence to support it.
The nominations process will remain open until the end of September, but we urge people to act early.
Table and ticket sales are open, and there remain opportunities to raise the profile of your business at this prestigious event.
Please contact daniel.malins@itppromedia.com for details.
