The Australian continent has been a steadily growing market for luxury watches in the last decade, and has shown no signs of slowing even as other parts of the world have experienced retail shakeups.
As watch retail options expand in Melbourne and Sydney and their vicinities, other wealthy regions such as Perth and Canberra are developing a taste for fine timepieces.
Australia’s leading watch retail space remains Sydney, though Chadstone (a suburb of Melbourne) is rapidly growing in strength as more brands develop their own boutiques at the Chadstone Mall.
One of the most recent to open its debut boutique in Australia is Jaeger-LeCoultre, which has developed a new concept in partnership with local watch retailer Kennedy. Says Justin Devaux, country manager of Jaeger-LeCoultre Australia and New Zealand, “Kennedy has acquired a deep understanding of the Australian watch market through their long presence. They have been proven successful in running high watchmaking boutique in the country. They share with us the importance to deliver the best experience to customers. It was quite natural therefore to choose them as partner for this exciting adventure.”
The maison’s store is located on 84 King Street (Shop 4) and set to open next week on Friday, the 13th of December 2019. A date which might spook some but Kennedy’s Executive Chairman, James Kennedy, isn’t inclined to pay much attention to.
Says Kennedy, “This first boutique is a celebration of fine watchmaking and it is a privilege to be working together [with Jaeger-LeCoultre].”
The boutique’s architecture reflects an art deco style, which has inspired some of its best-known collections, while its interiors reflect the serene landscape of the Vallée Joux, where its recently refreshed manufacture is located.
It will offer a full range of timepieces including fine and high watchmaking models, ranging from the Dazzling Rendez-Vous collection to the Reverso and Master Grande Tradition series. It will also give the brand a home base where it can bring in new and old customers to discover the many crafts housed within Jaeger-LeCoultre and brought to life in its watches.
Adds Devaux, “This is a significant milestone for the development of our maison locally. This new home of fine watchmaking will be devoted to the exclusive creations from our manufacture.”
