News from the boutiques
● KENSINGTON boutique the Watch Gallery is one of the most esteemed watch shops in London, and it’s no longer one of a kind. Having been acquired by DM London, the independent retailer with its “Time2” shops in Westfield and Covent Garden and the luxury watch concession in Selfridges, it is now lending its name to DM London’s entire luxury business. The shops in Westfield and Covent Garden are being renamed “Watch Gallery”, and more importantly, its website, www.thewatchgallery.co.uk, will re-launch next month to be one of the most comprehensive luxury watch e-tailers around. 129 Fulham Road, SW3 6RT ww.thewatchgallery.co.uk
● IT’S not every watch boutique that can reliably claim to be selling the world’s finest new wristwatch – as it happens, it’s just one in London right now. Mayfair’s William & Son is the only place you can go to find the DB28 by super-niche brand De Bethune, which won the top prize in November’s Grand Prix d’Horlogerie in Geneva. There’s a certain Star Trek quality to the DB28, which is a phenomenal example of watchmaking. An open-worked piece in which even the lugs are skeletonised, it has a fabulous moonphase display, an opening for the silicon and platinum balance wheel and it weighs just about nothing at all. Yours for… well, let’s just say comfortably five figures. William & Son, 14 Mount St, W1K 2RF www.williamandson.com
● BEFORE Christmas Harrods opened its spectacular new Fine Watch Room, which includes “inner boutiques” for exclusive brands such as IWC, Vacheron Constantin, A. Lange & Sohne, Panerai and Richard Mille. It’s home to plenty of exclusive watches, the latest being the limited edition Portofino Chronograph from IWC marking the awards fo the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation, held in London earlier this month – a handsome blue-dial model with exlusive rear engraving. www.harrods.com
● Lastly, anyone looking to start a vintage watch collection, or simply fancying chancing their arm in an accessible auction without the fuss of Sotheby’s or Bonhams, could attend the next event held by innovative auctioneers Watches of Knightsbridge on 10 March. Head to the sale room or bid live online – the business offers both options – for watches ranging from around £50 up to tens of thousands. For more information visit www.watchesofknightsbridge.com