About watch retailers

Retail

THE WATCH FILES

Retail

Founded as a trade magazine, Europa Star has always remained close to watch retailers on the ground. This selection of articles focuses on the “arteries” of the watch business all over the world.

“With the right approach, watchmaking has potential everywhere”

“With the right approach, watchmaking has potential everywhere”

A watch brand established in Bienne may be a given, yet the city is hardly recognised as a commercial hub. Young local entrepreneur Cédric Schiess, 26, (...)

ID Genève and Ahmed Seddiqi & Sons: an ideal match

ID Genève and Ahmed Seddiqi & Sons: an ideal match

Sustainability-focused watch brand ID Genève is taking on the Middle East as it partners with the region’s foremost retailer, Ahmed Seddiqi & Sons. (...)

Michaud, a generational retail story at the industry's core

Michaud, a generational retail story at the industry’s core

Serving Neuchâtel for four generations, this boutique boasts a unique attribute: it is the most prestigious multibrand retailer in the region, which stands (...)

Ocarat: the French retailer with 180 brands

Ocarat: the French retailer with 180 brands

Its catalogue reads like a who’s who of affordable contemporary watchmaking, from established names to startups and micro-labels. As well as making 99% of (...)

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Rolex and Bucherer: a shared history

Rolex and Bucherer: a shared history

The recent announcement of Rolex’s acquisition of prestigious watch and jewellery retailer Bucherer marks the culmination of nearly a century of shared (...)

Watch Q&A with... Nicolas Hildenbrand – Watchdreamer

Watch Q&A with... Nicolas Hildenbrand – Watchdreamer

“We still see enormous potential in online retail in Switzerland”

Watch Q&A with... Jared Silver – Stephen Silver

Watch Q&A with... Jared Silver – Stephen Silver

“The most important project in which our company has ever engaged”

Watch Q&A with... Raphael Gübelin – Gübelin

Watch Q&A with... Raphael Gübelin – Gübelin

“We expect an increase in tourism this year in Lucerne, a positive signal for the watch business”

Watch Q&A with... Brian Duffy – Watches Of Switzerland

Watch Q&A with... Brian Duffy – Watches Of Switzerland

“Extending market presence both in the UK and internationally”

Yourasset paves the way for accessible watch financing

Yourasset paves the way for accessible watch financing

Swiss startup Yourasset has set up a digital platform to serve as an intermediary between retailers and customers, offering a financing payment solution in (...)

Concentration continues in watch distribution

Concentration continues in watch distribution

MARKETS

A distribution strategy that emphasises monobrand stores is benefitting a small number of powerful retailers with the necessary logistical and financial (...)

A retailer provides free parking to an entire town

A retailer provides free parking to an entire town

PORTRAIT

Ahee Jewelers, a multi-generational retailer based near Detroit in the United States, decided to offer free parking for two months to residents of its (...)

Lucerne: why Gübelin is joining forces with TimeVallée

Lucerne: why Gübelin is joining forces with TimeVallée

The mid-sized traditional Lucerne retailer, which enjoys a well-established reputation but lacks the critical mass of the watch distribution giants, has (...)

Watches of Switzerland goes on the offensive in Europe

Watches of Switzerland goes on the offensive in Europe

RETAIL

British retail giant Watches of Switzerland, already well established in the United Kingdom and currently enjoying strong expansion in the United States, (...)

Bigger, better, stronger

Bigger, better, stronger

REPORT

Discover our report on the emergence of “super-retailers”.

Beyer Chronometrie: deep roots and NFTs

Beyer Chronometrie: deep roots and NFTs

COUNTERPOINT

Despite numerous requests to do so, the world’s oldest watch retailer has always refused to open any points of sale outside its original stronghold in (...)

“Continuing to set the standard in our region”

“Continuing to set the standard in our region”

3 QUESTIONS FOR...

Mohammed Abdulmagied Seddiqi, Chief Commercial Officer, Seddiqi Holding

“Brick-and-mortar remains our most dynamic activity”

“Brick-and-mortar remains our most dynamic activity”

3 QUESTIONS FOR...

Anthony Tsang, Senior Marketing Manager Greater China Region, Oriental Watch Company

Super-Retail: the race for global dominance

Super-Retail: the race for global dominance

REPORT

An increasing number of retailers are moving out of their home markets and successfully establishing themselves in other parts of the world. This (...)

Watches of Switzerland, a “super retailer” in the making

Watches of Switzerland, a “super retailer” in the making

INTERVIEW

Operating from its British stronghold and publicly listed since 2019, Watches of Switzerland has massively expanded its footprint in both the UK and the (...)

What does the future hold for independent distributors?

What does the future hold for independent distributors?

REPORT

In this special report, consultant and cofounder of the Watch Distributors Directory Thierry Huron shares his latest findings and data on the changing (...)

The resilience of in-house jewellery for retailers

The resilience of in-house jewellery for retailers

INTERVIEW

For decades, family-owned London Jewelers has represented prestigious brands on Long Island. In the midst of the pandemic, the retailer renovated its (...)

Bucherer BLUE: “Bringing exclusivity back to retailers”

Bucherer BLUE: “Bringing exclusivity back to retailers”

INTERVIEW

More and more brands are reserving their most sought-after models for their own shops, which is causing increasing difficulties for multi-brand retailers. (...)

Watch retailers: strategies for dealing with the pandemic

Watch retailers: strategies for dealing with the pandemic

REPORT

With international travel halted, the absence of tourist customers has been keenly felt by the watch retail trade. Without this category of buyers, many (...)