Hermès Opens First Stand-Alone Watch Boutique in the UK
French luxury brand Hermès has opened its first stand-alone fine watch and jewelry boutique in the United Kingdom. Situated on the ground floor of Harrods in London, the new boutique presents the brand’s most precious pieces from the métiers of fine watches and jewelry.
The first Hermès wristwatch was created in 1912 for Jacqueline Hermès, at the request of her father Emile Hermès, the grandson of the founder Thierry Hermès. Many watches and timepieces followed, including such design classics as the Cape Cod and Arceau.
In 1978 Hermès established La Montre Hermès, based in Switzerland and fully dedicated to watchmaking. Developing its timepieces further, in 2006 La Montre Hermès invested in Vaucher Manufacture Fleurier, a company renowned for making precision watch movements. Recent new pieces used mechanical manufacture movements, straw or gold marquetry and Grand Feu or plique-à-jour enamelling.
Since 2002 Pierre Hardy has headed the Artistic Direction of Hermès Jewellery. In 2010 Hermès launched its first collection of Haute Bijouterie, designed by Hardy and inspired by the equestrian world. The Centaure ring and Fouet necklace are objects of exquisite craftsmanship and creativity.
The new London boutique will bring together these two métiers from Hermès for the first time in the UK in one retail space showcasing the inherent craftsmanship of the brand since the early twentieth century.
The Hermès fine watches and jewelry boutique is located in Harrods. For more information call +44 2074085300.
