PRESS RELEASE

IWC SCHAFFHAUSEN OPENS FIRST UK BOUTIQUE
ON LONDON’S NEW BOND STREET

London, 19 December 2014 – The Swiss luxury watch manufacturer IWC Schaffhausen is delighted to announce the opening of its first UK boutique in London, located at 138 New Bond Street.

After much anticipation, IWC Schaffhausen today opens its first UK boutique on London’s New Bond Street in Mayfair, home to some of the world’s most luxurious brands. Following a four-month build, the two-storey, 90 m2 site is ready to welcome its first customer just in time for the last weekend of Christmas shopping.

“An IWC boutique in London has been a key focus of the brand for some time now and we’re delighted to finally be able to offer our customers a destination where they can choose from the best selection of IWC timepieces in the UK,” explains IWC CEO Georges Kern. “The retail concept we’ve created not only reflects our unique identity but offers an exceptional customer experience. We are looking forward to welcoming our guests at this marvellous location and inviting them to experience IWC’s philosophy of engineering excellence combined with brand values such as craftsmanship, style and innovation.”

“The new London boutique features a unique design concept; one which has been implemented in the UK first and allows our customers a dedicated brand experience, truly reflective of IWC,” affirms IWC’s UK Brand Director Simon Chambers. “We’re delighted that the London boutique was chosen as the location to launch this new design concept and we’re confident our customers will respond positively.”

The new design concept allows for complete adaptability to the local architectural context and whilst the product pre- sentation and furniture will be globally consistent, the spa- tial environment can be adapted to the architectural style of a building, its heritage or the uniqueness of its location. In keeping with its Art Deco exterior, the new Bond Street boutique will feature Art Deco elements throughout, making it entirely unique in comparison to other IWC boutiques worldwide. IWC’s signature monochrome colours will be augmented by piano-finished Macassar wood, polished stainless steel, Carrara marble and luxurious carpets.

With two floors of dedicated retail space, the new boutique will offer the most exceptional collection of IWC timepieces available in the UK, including a special edition Big Pilot’s Watch Perpetual Calendar in stainless steel, manufactured exclusively for the IWC London boutique. The Portofino Midsize, IWC’s newly launched diamond-set collection, will also be available in its entirety. The new boutique features an all-new lighting concept by renowned French lighting designers ‘Ponctuelle’, ensuring all timepieces displayed are perfectly lit.

The dedicated and highly qualified retail team will not only be on hand to advise customers on their choice of watch, but also to provide guidance on the city. In addition, an IWC watchmaker has been positioned on the first floor, offering maintenance advice and servicing. For those looking for a more bespoke service, the boutique team will also offer VIP retail and private consultation.

The second floor of the boutique offers a members club ‘lounge’ experience, with a warming fireplace and a be- spoke drinks menu, featuring mulled wine and Billecart Salmon champagne. The idea is to offer customers a home away from home, and an escape from the bustling streets of central London.