In a landmark move for the UK’s leading luxury watch specialist, The Watches of Switzerland Group, is opening Scotland’s first dedicated Rolex Boutique in a prime location in Glasgow city centre today (Monday 27 July 2020) following a significant investment in the internal fit out and external façade.

Launched as part of a long-standing partnership between Rolex and The Watches of Switzerland Group, the new 133m² flagship boutique has been designed in conjunction with Rolex’s interior design in Geneva. 

Arranged over two spacious floors with ample sales positions and a luxurious VIP lounge, the new boutique, which replaces the Group’s previous Watches of Switzerland store at 221

Buchanan Street, embodies the values of this revered Swiss watch brand: excellence, precision and attention to detail.

A bespoke façade in bronze and slatted walnut leads to stunning interiors with finishes in limestone, marble, bronze, walnut and leather, which complement the wide array of product on display.  There are also unique and beautifully designed stucco panels decorated with imagery of Glasgow University’s historic main campus – a nod to the city, which is now home to Rolex’s first boutique in Scotland. 

Commenting on the new Rolex Boutique, Brian Duffy, chief executive of The Watches of Switzerland Group, said: “This store opening is an extremely positive move for our Group and testament to our relationship with Rolex which dates back to 1919 when we were the first appointed Rolex retailer in the UK so it is fitting that we’re opening the only dedicated Boutique in Scotland.

 “Following the Covid-19 outbreak, lock down period and phased return to retailing, all Watches of Switzerland, Mappin & Webb and Goldsmiths stores in England reopened on June 15 with our Scottish, Wales, Northern Ireland and UK airports opening this month (July). 

“This new Rolex store is set to be a superb addition to Glasgow’s retail scene and positive step forward in the current climate showing confidence in the market.  Rolex enthusiasts will now benefit from accessing the largest collection of Rolex timepieces in the City with the same shared world class service associated with the brand and our Group. 

Brian Duffy continued: “This period of lockdown presented challenges as you would expect but it also opened up opportunities and reinforced the strength of the brand.

“As we navigate the phased return to store retailing, we will be operating on a by-appointment-only basis in this new Rolex boutique to help manage in-store footfall and ensure the safety and comfort of colleagues and customers.  Online consultations via clients’ preferred video conferencing platform and deliveries are also being offered until we can fully open our stores again.”

This adapted way of operating by The Watches of Switzerland Group has been implemented across all of its stores to demonstrate the outstanding levels of personalised service the company is world-renowned for. Watches of Switzerland, Mappin & Webb and Goldsmiths have been tailoring each client’s experience to their needs for hundreds of years, meaning the company is extremely well positioned to meet the requirements of this uniquely challenging time.

Marcus Robertson, store manager added: “Our partnership with Rolex continues to grow from strength to strength and we’re thrilled to be able to showcase the Rolex experience in Scotland.  We look forward to welcoming our loyal and new customers into the boutique.”

The new Boutique will house Rolex’s most rarefied and desirable timepieces as well as new collections.