18ct white gold two 1.5ct round brilliant-cut diamond stud earrings, £25,900; 18ct white gold 16.07ct round brilliant-cut diamond exi line necklace, £38,500; platinum two 0.75ct pear-cut diamond ring, £8,800
WELCOME
Last time we created a magazine like this we were celebrating our 50th anniversary. In the intervening years we’ve – like many businesses –had a reset and with our new batch of young colleagues have embarked on a new phase of our DMR journey. We’ve been learning, we’ve been evolving and we have been busy. We have completed a large re t in our Liverpool showroom which doubled our footprint, opened a new showroom in The Peninsula in London, relocated our Canary Wharf showroom to premises four times the original unit size and opened mono-brand boutiques for Omega (part of Swatch Group), TAG Heuer (part of LVMH) and Tudor (sister brand to Rolex).
Our newly refurbished Altrincham showroom is now establishing itself as the future of UK ne jewellery design, manufacture and retailing with a showroom that would not look out of place among the most innovative jewellery showrooms in Europe. We share a little more of this story on page 10. A further two new showrooms are in the pipeline and we’ll keep you posted.
We remain among the most respected independent family-owned retailers in the country and are pleased to report that the demand for our in-house exclusive designs, coupled with bespoke manufacturing by skilled artisans, remains high. Provenance is increasingly important – and who wouldn’t want to meet the goldsmiths in DMR’s workshops creating their new favourite piece of jewellery or remodelled heirloom? Our bespoke design team continues to listen as our clients do the talking, an ethos that we have always valued.
At DMR we recognise that our colleagues are the most important element of our business and I am so grateful for all their support. And so are our customers. We still work to the original DMR mantra “that while some companies will hand you a receipt, at DMR you’ll get a relationship”. Arrive as a welcome client, leave as a valued friend.
We hope you enjoy reading this issue of DMR magazine as much as we enjoyed making it.
IWC PORTUGIESER AUTOMATIC.
Portugieser Automatic 42, Ref. IW501705
Conceived 85 years ago as an instrument watch with marine chronometer precision, the Portugieser has evolved into a timeless yet dynamic paragon of understated elegance. A slimmer case now makes the Portugieser Automatic 42 even more refined, while double-box glass sapphire crystals showcase the IWC-manufactured 52011 caliber with a power reserve of 7 days and the elaborately crafted dial in a new colour called Dune. IWC. ENGINEERING BEYOND TIME.
08–09 THE WORLD OF DMR
Exploring the success of David M Robinson from its beginnings in the 1960s to the current day 10–15
NEWS
The latest events and openings
BESPOKE
DMR’s craftspeople place their clients at the heart of the story, creating dazzling jewels that bring a vision to life
BRIDAL
At the heart of life’s most romantically signi cant moments, DMR is on hand to craft the most exquisite and innovative bridal jewellery for your special day
JEWELLERY
DMR’s beautiful jewellery, showcased in this shoot at The Peninsula London hotel, is designed with great air and created with superlative skill
ROLEX
A look at some of the brand’s nest timepieces and exploring how it is ying the ag for biodiversity with its Rolex Perpetual Planet Initiative
PATEK PHILIPPE
Discover the most re ned and sophisticated yet understated timepiece collections from the last family-run watchmaker in
78–85 TAG HEUER
For more than three decades, the Swiss watchmaker has had a connection with Formula 1 driver Ayrton Senna –one that endures to this day
86–95 OMEGA
The perfect blend of performance and design, Omega has braved the face of the moon and the depths of the ocean. Here are the robust pieces that survived it all
96–103 TUDOR
Known for its military and professional divers’ watches, Tudor’s accessible luxury is now on the wishlist of velophiles desiring its pro-cycling team’s special timepiece
104–111 IWC
Always a leader in luxury Swiss watchmaking, IWC’s Portugieser collection represents timeless, understated, modern design, driven by powerful movements
113–119 SHOWROOMS
Discover what makes the warm and welcoming DMR showrooms and brand boutiques around the country – and their sta – so special
120 ICONS
Thirteen years after its unveiling, the Hopscotch Collection remains a dazzling DMR classic with a playful twist on elegant diamond jewellery, inspired by the humble children’s pavement game
All you need is love
From the 1960s, DMR has been celebrating romance and spreading happiness
Liverpool in the ’60s: a still-thriving port, with a ourishing new music scene transforming the city, expressing modern ways of living and loving that resonate with a change-ready society. Feelings of optimism are on the rise and Bill Shankly, the famous Liverpool FC manager, is nurturing his team to success. Against this animated landscape of a city in the throes of popular cultural regeneration, a teenager from a humble background and straight out of school embarked on his apprenticeship. David M Robinson, born in 1943 in the Garston area, took his rst step on the career ladder training as a goldsmith for a jewellery repair business on Liverpool’s Hanover Street. Here, he learned his craft the traditional way, quickly acquiring the artisanal skills and techniques that would establish him as a jeweller
of renown. He also attended night school to achieve his quali cations, going on to pass his trade exams to become a Fellow of the Gemmological Association of Great Britain. His creative success would be o cially conferred with the winning of two prestigious De Beers Diamonds International Awards for his work.
In 1969, David founded his eponymous company with a shop on North John Street in Liverpool. As well as applying his innate talent – melding innovative design with exceptional craftsmanship to create dazzling collections – he demonstrated his business acumen by partnering with horology’s nest brands and grew his business prudently over the decades.
A number of notable achievements by DMR sealed its reputation. In 1980, David designed a piece of jewellery that was presented by Queen Elizabeth II to winning trainer Major WR “Dick” Hern at Royal Ascot’s King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes. While
OPPOSITE The DMR showroom at London’s The Peninsula Hotel
RIGHT David is presented with the second of his De Beers Diamonds International Awards in New York City, 1969
ABOVE The DMR showroom at St Ann’s Square in Manchester, which opened in 1979
LEFT Queen Elizabeth II presents a piece of jewellery designed by David to winning trainer Major Dick Hern at Royal Ascot in 1980
two years later an exclusive pendant was created for Geraldine Rees, the rst female jockey to complete the legendary Grand National course.
Today, DMR has ve showrooms – in Liverpool, Manchester, Altrincham and in Canary Wharf and The Peninsula Hotel in London. DMR employs more goldsmiths than any other retailer in the north of England, and its workshops create collections of jewellery only available through its showrooms. These exclusive pieces are elegant and dynamic examples of original, contemporary diamond jewellery. Every design is timeless, and features intricate and considered detail achieved through master craftsmanship.
Across the showrooms and three standalone monobrand boutiques, luxury timepieces are also an important element of DMR’s portfolio. Working with Patek Philippe, Rolex, Omega, TAG Heuer, IWC and Tudor, some of the most prestigious Swiss brands, DMR features covetable gifts of time for men and women. In the hands of DMR’s highly trained sales ambassadors, along with the company’s master watchmakers, every watch is presented knowledgeably, its character, materials and technical information explained with expertise and enthusiasm.
David Robinson earned the distinction of being “the jeweller’s jeweller”. His son John, the managing director, shares with him and the team a passion for jewellery and timepieces. In the showrooms, he has witnessed emotional scenes from happy clients, their ultimate romantic jewel come to life in precious metals and stones, or as they fasten the Rolex on their wrist, or hear the heartbeat of their cherished new Patek Philippe watch. Unforgettable moments when a wished-for dream is made real.
The company’s ethos is adhered to now as strongly as in its earliest years: customers, who become friends, value DMR’s standards of trust, professionalism, honesty and integrity. These values are threaded through what is truly a family business. DMR is deservingly acclaimed for being an independent company that takes pride in its authentic, unique British heritage. Its success is the result of an original approach to craftsmanship and a dedicated commitment to the highest quality service. davidmrobinson.co.uk
NEWS
ABOVE AND LEFT
DMR Altrincham has in-house goldsmiths who are happy to demonstrate the intricate process of jewellery making
OPPOSITE Guests experience the luxurious new Altrincham
DMR showroom
THE FUTURE OF BESPOKE
The recent refurbishment at the Altrincham store o ers a whole new way of presenting jewellery, bringing an immersive experience in a luxurious and comfortable setting. It embodies the future of UK ne jewellery design, creation and retailing. In the way that contemporary ne dining often presents both chef and kitchen on view in a restaurant so diners can watch their food being prepared, the talented craftspeople are on hand, based in the in-store workshop, bringing to clients all the talent that goes into making DMR jewellery. Showcasing the rare and traditional skills of the master goldsmiths, from hand-forging engagement rings to the exquisite art of micro stone setting, the goldsmiths’ work can be viewed up-close or via screens so no detail is missed. Everything is carried out on the shop oor, allowing clients to engage with the bespoke experience within the elegant showroom environment. At the heart of the boutique is the new design room, where jewellery designers guide clients through the creative process, whether for a new bespoke piece, or
the remodelling of a treasured heirloom. ‘The new showroom is designed to show our clients the full journey of design, from the initial concept and seed of an idea through to the goldsmiths completing the creation,’ says in-house jewellery designer Vix Smith. ‘My design studio is situated in the showroom so customers can wander through to see what new designs are being created and chat about the design process. The walls are covered with original design artwork, so they can see how the design process progresses forwards to the nished item.’
Alex Pritchard, master goldsmith at Altrincham, says it’s unusual for clients to see jewellery being made at close range. ‘Here, they can see all the processes involved,’ he says. ‘We start with a square bar of gold or platinum and take it all the way through to the nished set item. Quite uniquely, we make as much as we can on-site because we have the talent and facilities to do so.’
Clients are also fascinated by the tools. ‘We have precision microscopes for micro-setting and laser welders for more complicated pieces but many of our tools are similar to those in ancient times,’ Alex says. ‘They are also very personal. For example, I have two pairs of tweezers that I simply cannot work without. Even the workbenches take on individual characteristics – the jutting part that we lean on and hold our work on are all di erent, shaped by the way each goldsmith works.’
Vix adds, ‘It helps our clients understand and experience how much time and expertise is involved in every aspect of making the jewellery.’
To celebrate the relaunch, DMR was delighted to invite a selection of valued clients to the new showroom on 19 and 20 June 2024. Over two evenings, guests enjoyed the soothing sounds of a string quartet while experiencing rst-hand the intricate expertise that goes into making a piece of jewellery. 14 Railway Street, Altrincham WA14 2RE
TOGETHER FOR CHANGE
In September, DMR hosted a “DMR Wellbeing & Her” ladies’ lunch at Tender restaurant in Manchester’s Stock Exchange Hotel in aid of the Build to Beat Breast Cancer Appeal. An incredible £4,000 was raised to fund a new National Breast Imaging Academy training facility. To donate or nd out more, visit mftcharity.org.uk
ABOVE Panellists including Dr Mary Wilson and BBC’s Sally Nugent host a talk on women’s wellness for guests at DMR’s lunch
LEFT DMR panellists: menopause coach Emma Neville with journalist and Elle Sera founder Elissa Corrigan
TO A TEE
Golf has been the game du jour at DMR’s TAG Heuer boutique at Liverpool ONE following the opening of the store’s Simulator room. Former English pro-golfer and Merseyside local Nick Dougherty o ered one-to-one coaching to clients before an informative Q&A with DMR director Karl Irwin. Following this, the rst-ever ambassador event DMR has held at a boutique, came the TAG Heuer Ladies Golf Event. Held on 7 March, it showcased the TAG Heuer Connected Golf timepieces and gave female gol ng clients the chance to experience the Golf Simulator room with tips and advice from local golf pro Georgia Ball.
ABOVE At DMR’s
Liverpool TAG Heuer boutique, female golf enthusiasts are shown the latest TAG Heuer Connected Golf watch
LEFT Chef Simon
Rimmer with local former pro-golfer
Nick Dougherty at the TAG Heuer boutique in Liverpool
KEEPING WATCH
To celebrate Manchester’s industrious past and Tudor’s Born to Dare ethos, DMR’s Tudor boutique held a special event at the Science and Industry Museum on 12 June for close to 150 clients. Guests were entertained with lively music from a DJ and could try delicious cocktails while enjoying the 2024 Novelty Collection on display.
THE ART OF HOROLOGY
DMR was proud to host three Rolex events around the UK this October to unveil the luxury watchmaker’s exciting new 2024 collection alongside an exquisite array of David M Robinson jewellery.
Notably, guests in London attended the iconic Serpentine Gallery in Kensington Gardens to explore the new 2024 collection while enjoying classic british fare from chef Tom Sellers of two-Michelin-starred Restaurant Story.
Similar events at the majestic Hallé St Peter’s in Manchester and the historic Liverpool Town Hall, saw guests enjoy an after-dinner speech from adventurer Jessica Hepburn.
ABOVE, FROM TOP JÜrgen Klopp at DMR’s Rolex event in Liverpool; the event was also held at London’s Serpentine Gallery
LEFT Chef Tom Sellers of Restaurant Story serves up a Michelinstarred feast for guests at the event
MASTERS OF TIME
On 2 and 3 October, DMR hosted an IWC watchmaker at its Liverpool and Manchester showrooms o ering a money-can’t-buy watchmaking experience. Guests were treated to lunchtime and evening masterclass in all things horology, designed especially for a select group of IWC enthusiasts.
ABOVE Guests at DMR’s IWC watchmaker event enjoy a delicious lunch
LEFT This moneycan’t-buy experience gave clients the chance to take part in a watchmaking masterclass from IWC
BEST IN SHOW
To showcase some of the nest Patek Philippe watches in equally exquisite surroundings, DMR held a special VIP dinner at the two-Michelin-starred Brooklands by Claude Bosi restaurant on the top oor of the prestigious Peninsula London hotel in Belgravia on 19 September. An expert watchmaker demonstrated the savoir faire and inner workings of a travelling collection of Patek Philippe timepieces to a 160-strong audience of discerning horophiles. Across town, in a private dining room in Scott’s Mayfair, an exclusive guest-list enjoyed a ladies’ lunch in honour of the Genevan luxury watch manufacturer, while viewing the latest collection.
A JEWEL IN BELGRAVIA
DMR is thrilled to announce the opening of its second showroom boutique in London, at the world-class Peninsula London hotel in Grosvenor Place. Complete with plush furnishings and soft lighting, the re ned and inviting boutique is run by manager Bale Sekulceska and her team, who provide the friendly, knowledgeable service DMR customers have come to expect.
‘We are delighted to be working in partnership with our friends at The Peninsula London,’ says John Robinson, managing director of DMR. ‘We look forward to welcoming clients from around the UK.’
As one of nine luxury boutiques making up the hotel’s 1,000-sq m ground- oor retail arcade, the elegant showroom displays the best of DMR’s exquisite jewellery collections alongside one-o pieces, pre-owned watch collections from Patek Philippe and Rolex, stunning engagement rings and special timepieces chosen speci cally for the Peninsula London boutique. The Peninsula London, 1 Grosvenor Place, London SW1X 7HJ
LEFT The prestigious Peninsula London hotel in Belgravia, home to a new DMR showroom
BELOW The Peninsula hotel DMR boutique showcases DMR’s ne jewellery range alongside a curation of one-o timepieces and pre-owned watch collections
IWC PORTUGIESER CHRONOGRAPH.
Portugieser Chronograph, Ref. IW371625
Conceived 85 years ago as an instrument watch with marine chronometer precision, the Portugieser is a timeless yet dynamic paragon of understated elegance. And now, for the first time, the Chronograph, with its distinctive, vertically organised totalizers for optimum legibility, features an elaborately crafted dial in the colour Obsidian. IWC. ENGINEERING BEYOND TIME.
JEWELLERY
18 — BESPOKE Creating a one-of-a-kind jewellery piece is a personal, collaborative journey of skill and craftsmanship at David M Robinson 26 — BRIDAL From beautiful diamonds to an heirloom reimagined, DMR will add a touch of magic to the most signi cant moments in your life 34 — GALLERY Discover exquisite pieces from the DMR collection photographed at The Peninsula London hotel – one of the capital’s most prestigious addresses and home to a DMR showroom that promises a warm welcome
HEIRLOOM HEROES –
In a world brimming with mass-produced adornments, owning a piece of jewellery that tells a story unique to you has real allure. It transcends the conventional and becomes a celebration of a personal moment sealed in time. The craftsmanship involved in making a bespoke jewel is a key part of the collaboration between clients and the David M Robinson team
Since its founding in 1969, David M Robinson has upheld a legacy of excellence by safeguarding traditional goldsmithing techniques while using today’s latest technologies to drive innovation and expand design boundaries. At its three main jewellery workshops – in Greater Manchester, Cheshire and Liverpool – the in-house designers, master goldsmiths and gem-setters specialise in crafting one-o bespoke pieces that narrate personal stories and capture the essence of individual preferences and aspirations.
As a family-owned business, DMR aims to build strong, enduring relationships with customers. When clients are welcomed into the design process and included from start to nish, it gives them a truly joyful experience. There is something deeply personal about working to make someone’s vision a reality, capturing individual meaning in a piece crafted just for them.
‘The bespoke journey begins with a consultation, during which clients can express their ideas and inspirations guided by an expert. “You talk, we listen” is our mantra,’ says DMR jewellery designer Vix Smith. More than just a discussion, this face-to-face brainstorming meeting covers a wide range of topics, including favourite metal types, setting shapes, size, cut and colour of gemstones, as well as motifs and aesthetic styles, be it abstract, geometric, vintage-inspired, minimalist or romantic in spirit. This collaborative approach ensures that unique qualities are infused into the design from the start, whether the piece is being conceived from scratch or remodelled from a treasured heirloom, either restored with a modern twist or completely transformed into something fresh and new. Detailed sketches and technical drawings bring these preferences to life on paper, allowing clients to see how colour, proportion and size will come together on their chosen silhouette. Going forward, CAD software and 3D models provide an accurate understanding of the nished jewel, allowing clients to see their custom piece from multiple angles and inspect design details at close range, before the forging, setting and gold- nishing processes are undertaken by the in-house goldsmiths, using their wealth of experience to expert e ect.
The newly renovated showroom in Altrincham o ers a fresh and unparalleled experience in luxury jewellery shopping. Now a creative hub dotted with display cases dedicated to the latest ne jewellery collections, the showroom also features an in-store workshop where you can watch the virtuosic skill of the master goldsmiths at work. Engagement and bridal specialists are also on hand, as well as in-house designers based in a brandnew studio room. And if you can’t be there in person, the team will lm footage of your piece being made to immerse you in the creative adventure.
‘It’s rare to be able to show a customer exactly where their piece of jewellery is being produced,’ says on-site Altrincham goldsmith Alex Pritchard. ‘The addition of video cameras streaming to a TV in the workshop gives anyone watching from the showroom an extreme close-up of even the smallest details and processes. Seeing how interested customers are in what we do is amazing; it allows us to showcase this unique skill in a way that’s seldom seen elsewhere.’
‘The bespoke journey begins with a consultation, during which clients can express their ideas and inspirations guided by an expert. “You talk, we listen” is our mantra.’ Vix Smith, jewellery designer, DMR
Each piece is magical because it is activated by the special connectivity that exists between designer, maker and client
DMR’s goldsmithing techniques – which include the melting, forging, casting, soldering, ling, engraving and polishing of precious metals – have been employed by craftspeople since Roman times, but its artisans also use lasers and state-of-the-art microscopes for microsetting and welding, enabling them to achieve even more intricate designs than they could by hand.
‘It is always important to keep progressing while maintaining traditional skills and knowledge,’ explains DMR jewellery designer Bethany Hancock. ‘Our clients love the option of having a 3D-printed model made in-house, since it allows them to inspect every aspect of their new treasure before it is cast in a metal. We also o er in-house diamond testing, a crucial part of verifying a stone’s authenticity. Our wealth of knowledge and experience with diamonds and gemstones gives us con dence working with such a variety of bespoke pieces, be it a fully handmade ring or a necklace that incorporates sentimental gold and heritage stones.’
Recent trends have seen a shift towards certain signature styles in custom-made earrings, neckwear and wristwear. The Georgian setting, reminiscent of a miniature bezel, has gained popularity for its ability to enhance the shape of a stone, o ering a beautiful alternative design that’s timeless yet visually impactful with a hint of avant-garde air. There’s also a growing fascination with exceptional coloured gemstones such as Paraíba tourmalines, originally discovered in Brazil, which captivate with their stunning colours caused by traces of copper within the crystal structure. Accents of rose gold and rare pink diamonds add special and romantic details to one-of-a-kind commissions, re ecting a desire for pieces that are as unique as they are exquisite.
Ultimately, a custom-made piece is a canvas for personal expression, one that seals a moment in time and forever engages the senses. Bethany says it best: ‘Each piece is magical because it is activated by the special connectivity that exists between designer, maker and client. We strive to capture as many personal elements of a person’s story in our custom-made commissions as possible, and this is such a rare and wonderful expertise to have within our company.’
Ultimately, a custom-made piece is a canvas for personal expression, one that seals a moment in time and forever engages the senses
THIS PAGE, RIGHT Designs are worked up in the studio on paper for each bespoke piece. BELOW The Altrincham Design Room ahead of a private event
I DO – A reputation for crafting beautiful and innovatively designed diamond jewellery makes DMR a trusted destination for bridal pieces, with a warm welcome guaranteed. For the most romantic and personally signi cant moments in your life, DMR is on hand to o er advice, whether your desire is for a bespoke design, an exquisite piece from the DMR collections, or a family heirloom that you’d like remodelling in a contemporary style
PREVIOUS PAGE
ABOVE 18ct yellow gold 1ct pear-cut diamond on curved diamond set band, £11,000, with matching curved diamond set band, £1,700
OPPOSITE 0.70ct
Platinum ring with two 1.20ct pear-cut diamonds and 0.54ct round brilliant shoulder diamonds, £22,500, Ditto™
pear-cut fancy intense yellow diamond platinum ring, £9,100, Ditto™
OPPOSITE 18ct yellow gold 1.02ct oval-cut diamond solitaire on curved band, £12,400, with matching diamond set band, £2,600
RIGHT Platinum 2ct pear-cut ring with 0.34ct round brilliant-cut diamond band, £50,600
BELOW 18ct yellow gold 2ct bezel set pear-cut diamond ring, £11,100, with matching diamond set band, £2,400
OPPOSITE 18ct yellow gold 1.01ct Marquise-cut solitaire ring with diamond set shoulders, £11,200, and matching diamond set band, £1,000
ABOVE 18ct yellow gold bezel set oval-cut diamond solitaire ring, £7,800, with 18ct yellow gold diamond-set, £950, and plain polished bands, £550
A FINE ROMANCE –
Luxurious and beautiful DMR jewellery will always enhance sophisticated eveningwear and elevate casualwear with its inspirational designs, superlative craftsmanship and precious materials. The pieces showcased over the following pages, shot at the re ned The Peninsula London hotel, feature the contemporary yet timeless style of the dazzling diamond jewels, guaranteed to turn heads
PREVIOUS PAGE 18ct white gold, diamond and sapphire long drop earrings, £55,000; 18ct white gold, diamond and sapphire collar, £117,000, High Jewellery Collection; platinum, 6.6ct sapphire and diamond ring, £98,500, High Jewellery Collection. ABOVE 18ct yellow gold diamond wraparound ring, £1,500 and 18ct yellow gold three-stone diamond dress ring, £4,100, both Hopscotch™; 18ct yellow gold pear-cut diamond four-strand dress ring, £7,600. OPPOSITE 18ct white gold and pear-cut diamond huggies, £5,700, Pearfection™; 18ct white gold pear-cut diamond pendant, £31,000 and 18ct white gold pear-cut diamond bangle, £10,900, both Ditto™; 18ct white gold pear-cut diamond torque ring, £5,900, Pearfection™; platinum and pear-cut diamond two-stone ring, £22,500, Ditto™
18ct white gold 4.84ct necklace, £19,000, Opera™; 18ct white gold 3.09ct earrings, £7,900, Opera™; platinum 6.13ct oval full eternity ring, £30,000; 18ct white gold 16.10ct round brilliant-cut bracelet, £50,000; platinum 23.51ct emerald-cut diamond bracelet, £120,000
ABOVE Platinum, diamond and black onyx solitaire ring, £40,000, Signature. OPPOSITE 18ct yellow gold diamond three-stone earrings, £10,700, 18ct yellow gold diamond necklace, £68,000, 18ct yellow gold diamond bracelet, £33,000, 18ct yellow gold diamond wraparound ring, £1,500 and 18ct yellow gold diamond seven-stone dress ring, £20,000, all Hopscotch™
THIS PAGE 18ct yellow gold diamond large circle pendant, £18,900 and 18ct yellow gold diamond medium circle pendant, £6,300, both Hopscotch™. OPPOSITE Platinum pearcut diamond studs, £19,500; 18ct white gold pear-cut diamond collar, £12,000
ABOVE 18ct yellow gold diamond bracelet, £33,000; 18ct yellow gold seven-stone diamond dress ring, £20,000. OPPOSITE Platinum pear-cut diamond studs, £19,500, Diamond Classics; 18ct yellow gold and platinum diamond cluster ring, £27,200, Carat Collection
18ct yellow gold diamond small disc drop earrings, £3,500, 18ct yellow gold diamond large disc pendant with 24” chain, £8,000 and 18ct yellow gold disc ring, £1,200, all Alba™
ABOVE 18ct yellow gold diamond bangle, £21,500 and 18ct yellow gold diamond dress ring, £20,000, both Hopscotch™. OPPOSITE Platinum pear-cut diamond studs, £19,500; 18ct yellow gold with yellow and white pear-cut diamond collar, £65,500; 18ct yellow gold with yellow and white pear-cut diamond line bracelet, £18,900; 18ct yellow gold pear-cut yellow diamond cluster ring, £27,200
ABOVE 18ct yellow gold diamond solitaire pendant and chain, £83,800; 18ct yellow gold hook- tting bangle, £2,700; 18ct yellow gold Alina 1.20ct oval-cut diamond solitaire ring, £9,400; 18ct yellow gold diamond eternity ring, £3,600. OPPOSITE 18ct rose gold pear-cut diamond hoops, £27,500; 18ct rose gold pear-cut diamond pendant, £13,400, Petal Power™
THIS PAGE 18ct rose gold pendant with Madagascan sapphire and diamonds, £10,800, Alba™. OPPOSITE Platinum 11.21ct emerald-cut diamond eternity ring, £64,000; platinum 1ct round brilliant-cut half eternity ring, £3,600; platinum 2ct round brilliant-cut solitaire, £79,000; platinum 1ct round brilliant-cut half eternity ring, £3,500; platinum 6.13ct oval-cut diamond eternity ring, £30,000; platinum 12.31ct oval diamond line bracelet, £51,400; platinum 23.51ct emerald-cut diamond line bracelet, £120,000
THIS PAGE 18ct white gold three-row diamond bangle, £11,500; 18ct white gold round brilliant-cut diamond line bracelet, £15,000; platinum 6.6ct sapphire and diamond ring, £98,500. OPPOSITE 18ct white gold diamond and sapphire long drop earrings, £55,000; 18ct white gold diamond and sapphire collar, £117,000, High Jewellery Collection
Special thanks to The Peninsula London hotel in London’s Belgravia, one of the city’s most luxurious hotels and also home to the most recently opened DMR boutique showroom, situated inside
Makeup artist: Victoria Martin. Hair
stylist: Chris Sweeney. Manicurist: Cherrie Snow. Prices are correct at time of print in December 2024
HOROLOGY
58 — ROLEX Striving for perpetual excellence; unrivalled for expertise 68 — PATEK PHILIPPE Renowned for its high-end watch complications 78 — TAG HEUER Masters of innovation and craftsmanship 86 — OMEGA
A brand inspired by sports timekeeping and the conquest of space 96 — TUDOR Specialists in making the best possible luxury watches at accessible price points 104 — IWC The reference for chronograph watches, with an uncompromising approach to performance, functionality and quality
Rolex
O ering timeless watches built to last, Rolex has been associated with elite sports, the arts and exploration for a century. Each Rolex is designed and produced with constant attention to the tiniest detail, which is why the word “superlative” is inscribed on its dial, promising the wearer the experience of an exceptional timepiece
PREVIOUS PAGE Oyster Perpetual Sky-Dweller in 18ct yellow gold with Oyster ex bracelet, £37,450
ABOVE, FROM LEFT Daytona Cosmograph in 18ct white gold, with diamond-set bezel and mother-of-pearl dial, £63,850; Explorer 40 in Oystersteel with Chromalight display, £6,650
OPPOSITE Datejust 41 in Oystersteel and yellow gold with Jubilee bracelet, £13,050
OPPOSITE Datejust 31 in Oystersteel and Everose gold with diamond-set dial and Jubilee bracelet, £18,250
ABOVE GMT-Master II in Oystersteel with Oyster bracelet, £9,350
Life aquatic
As part of Rolex’s Perpetual Planet Initiative, one extraordinary man is monitoring the health of the world’s largest river by studying the pink river dolphins that live in it. Peter Howarth travels to Peru to meet him
BELOW
dolphins are grey until rapid movement causes the blood to rush to the skin’s surface to cool the mammals down
The Rolex Explorer was launched in 1953 as a tool watch for those who want to travel the planet curiously. Rolex’s founder, Hans Wilsdorf, had the idea that exploration and those who undertake it would provide good opportunities for testing his timepieces. Shortly before the launch of the Explorer, on 29 May 1953 Sir Edmund Hillary and Sherpa Tenzing Norgay had become the rst people to reach the summit of Everest. The expedition was supplied with Oyster Perpetual chronometers by Rolex.
It was through discussing the needs of explorers in the eld that Rolex developed a timepiece that could deal with extreme temperatures at either end of the scale and intense humidity. The Explorer was that watch. In the three-quarters of a century since its launch, there have been many expeditions accompanied by Rolex Explorer watches. And while the timepiece has evolved to incorporate new technology, it has remained essentially unchanged in its looks and its purpose. As Ed Viesturs, the American mountaineer who has reached the world’s 14 summits over 8,000m 21 times, and climbed the 14 highest mountains without the aid of oxygen, says: ‘Timekeeping is critical. For an explorer, the watch that you have has to be reliable. It has to be rather indestructible, waterproof, shockproof and easy to use.’ Viesturs wears an Explorer.
At the Explorers Club in New York (whose alumni include Ernest Shackleton, Sir Edmund Hillary, Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin and Sir Ranulph Fiennes), there are three Rolexes held for loan to members – an Explorer, Explorer II and Submariner. Would-be wearers have to present their proposed expeditions to a committee, a process that mirrors the long-standing practice of lending out club ags that get to go to multiple destinations to mark the institution’s achievements. One even went to the moon. However, over the years, the rm’s attitude to exploration has changed. Time was that it supported individuals who wanted to push themselves to the limit in the name of human achievement. Today, Rolex focuses on discovery that has scienti c purpose, speci cally acquiring knowledge that can help save the planet.
The Rolex Perpetual Planet Initiative, o cially launched in 2019, seeks to create solutions to help rebalance the Earth by actively supporting those who
have projects that will help bene t ecosystems and biodiversity and the people who rely on these things – which ultimately means all of us. It is the logical result of years of work between Rolex and adventurous individuals who have seen the planet change in ways that are not always obvious to the rest of us.
To get a avour of this, I travelled to Peru to meet marine biologist Fernando Trujillo, who is monitoring the health of the Amazon River by studying the pink river dolphins that live there. Trujillo is known as “Omacha”, meaning in the language of the indigenous Tikuna in his native Colombia “the dolphin that became human”. He earned this name at the age of 19 when, after attending a college lecture by the legendary oceanographer Jacques Cousteau, in which the Frenchman mentioned the river dolphins of the Amazon, he set o in search of them.
Braving narco gangs, Trujillo ended up in the middle of the jungle and became fascinated by the large grey mammals. They are something of a Trojan Horse for Trujillo, he confesses, explaining that studying them allows him to observe the state of the entire ecosystem. He has just completed his participation in a two-year project, the National Geographic and Rolex Perpetual Planet Amazon Expedition. The two companies have partnered for 70 years now, and their latest undertaking has been to place seven teams of explorer scientists along the Amazon – from the Andes to the Atlantic, from the glaciers where it starts, to the mangroves where it joins the ocean over 4,000 miles later – to explore the state of the ecosystem the river creates and supports.
Today, Rolex focuses on discovery that has scienti c purpose, speci cally acquiring knowledge that can help save the planet
Amazon river.
Fernando Trujillo at work on the water.
Pink river
The Amazon has been something of a poster child for the sustainability movement. The river basin is as large as Australia and there’s water in its glaciers, clouds and humidity as well as in the river. The aim, says Trujillo, is that by identifying the threats to the Amazon – from over- shing to deforestation, climate change and pollution from mining – and bringing these to the attention of the world, he may be able to get the governance in place that will save this enormous interlinked ecosystem.
As we cruise along the river just after sunrise on the lookout for river dolphins, it becomes apparent that these creatures are his secret weapon. He tells me that because people like dolphins, it’s easier to get them to care. And he’s making progress. ‘Last year we signed a global agreement where di erent nations in the world agreed to protect the river dolphins,’ he explains. In fact, 11 countries signed up to the document that covers the Amazon river dolphins as well as those in Asia, the only other place in the world where you nd them. By tracking them, Trujillo can draw conclusions about the health of the river.
A few days spent with this charismatic man gives me the idea that he might just be some kind of shape-shifting dolphin/man superhero. He even has a costume of sorts: rash vest, long hiking trousers and a head scarf that he is rarely without. Oh, and a Rolex Explorer, of course. rolex.org
The watch of choice for some of the world’s most intrepid explorers, mountaineers and scientists, the Rolex Explorer is made to be reliable in extraordinary conditions – tough and durable. It has a black dial featuring super-legible numerals at 3, 6 and 9 o’clock, so the wearer can read the time in poor visibility. The dial can even be read easily in the dark, thanks to the Chromalight display.
The 36mm watch is fitted with a robust three-link bracelet that features the Rolex-designed and patented Oysterlock folding clasp, which prevents accidental opening, but can still easily be adjusted by the wearer by about 5mm.
The Rolex Explorer 36 comes in Oystersteel (a unique alloy with excellent anti-corrosion properties, specially developed for Rolex) or yellow Rolesor (Oystersteel and yellow gold combined). There is also a 40mm diameter in Oystersteel. Both models have a power reserve of around 70 hours. £6,300
ABOVE Fernando Trujillo is part of a groundbreaking project that views the Amazon as water rather than forests
Patek Philippe
The last family-owned watchmaker in Geneva, Patek Philippe prides itself on its independence. Strong on innovation and reinvention, the manufacture develops its timepieces and movements in-house. Here, we showcase the watches we consider to be among the nest symbols of the Patek Philippe style
PREVIOUS PAGE Calatrava Ref 6007G-010 in white gold featuring a modern graphic style, £33,610
THIS PAGE Grand Complications In-line Perpetual Calendar Ref 5236P-010 with opaline rose-gilt dial, £121,100
OPPOSITE Ref 5524R Calatrava Pilot Travel Time with a second time zone and a local-time date, £50,870
ABOVE Ref 4947R-001 self-winding Annual Calendar in rose gold, £52,580
OPPOSITE Ref 5224R-001 selfwinding Calatrava Travel Time with 24-hour display, £50,870
All in the family
RIGHT Ref 5822P marks the birth of the all-new Cubitus collection, the rst new launch for nearly a quarter of a century
Patek Philippe’s new Cubitus watches form the genesis of a striking collection with real presence, says Joanne Glasbey
You know those watches that are instantly recognisable from across the room? The ones that draw admiring glances and personal satisfaction in their recognition? The watches that mark out the wearer as a person of discernment and discretion, a connoisseur of the ne things in life, and the observer – for having identi ed it – as a member of the same club?
Top-tier watchmaker Patek Philippe makes the sort of timepieces that always garner such attention, easily spotted at some distance. You don’t notice them because of shouty ostentation, but the reverse: their quiet elegance, re nement and con dence in the beauty of their own design. Some call it “wrist presence”. In a world of uniformity, it’s a relief to see standout, original pieces.
Adding to its already-impressive horological roster is the edgling Cubitus family. As the rst new Patek Philippe collection launch in a quarter of a century, there were great expectations among luxury-watch enthusiasts – and it’s been worth the wait. Now here’s a timepiece with presence, for sure. With its powerful square shape, rounded corners and slender silhouette, it speaks of the future for the Swiss brand.
For Thierry Stern, president of the company, and the fourth generation to run the family-owned business – the only family-run watchmaker left in Geneva – this new launch has been very much a personal passion. He’s not a trend follower, preferring instead to surprise people – by not doing the obvious. Clearly, he’s earned
ABOVE The Ref 5821/1A Cubitus sees “casual chic” reinvented by the Swiss marque
the right to pursue his dreams as he knows the market intimately and has the experience now to understand what’s needed to avoid mistakes. And, it would seem, he likes to take a risk, however calculated.
The luxury watch market comprises 85 per cent round watches. So aiming for a small niche might in less safe hands be considered a bit reckless. That’s where Patek Philippe’s rich horological heritage comes in. The brand has never leant on one particular line; it believes in spreading the watch love around the various collections. There’s also an historical resonance with the new design. The manufacture has created “quadrangular” shapes in past decades that it calls “form” watches, like square or rectangular, trapezoid or cushion, many of which were popular during the Art Deco era of the 1920s. With the shape already belonging to the house’s archive, Thierry Stern and his team set about creating the new models.
His design desires were clear from the start: the square watch must be slender – there are a few luxury square watches out there but many are too bulky. And he didn’t want it to be traditional. So creating a contemporary appearance with slim contours was the grail. As the design progressed, the team realised that they were naturally incorporating a few design cues from the other chic sporting collections – the everpopular Nautilus and Aquanaut. And from the start,
INTRODUCING PATEK PHILIPPE’S
NEW REF 5822P CUBITUS – PLUS REF 5821/1A AND REF 5821/1AR
Ref 5822P features a 45mm platinum case, instantaneously jumping grand date, moon phase and date. With a sunburst blue horizontally embossed dial, and baguettecut diamond set at six o’clock, it’s completed by a navy-blue composite material strap with complementary cream stitching and the Cubitus clasp. £75,690
Two other models are also debuting in the Cubitus collection – Ref 5821/1A and Ref 5821/1AR.
Ref 5821/1A has a stylish 45mm steel case and bracelet, soft olive-green dial with horizontal embossed pattern, with date, sweep seconds, white-gold applied hour and minute markers with white luminescent coating and steel patented fold-over Cubitus clasp with lockable adjustment system. £35,330
Ref 5821/1AR has a vintage feel, with its 45mm bi-metal steel and soft rose-gold case and bracelet, featuring sunburst blue dial with horizontal embossed motif and rose-gold applied hour and minute hands with white luminescent coating, and patented fold-over clasp with lockable adjustment system. £52,480
he had the name: Cubitus. This was a clever t –descriptive, solid and it works in every language.
The three debut models of the new Cubitus collection all measure 45mm. This sounds pretty big at a time of decreasing sizings, but its slimness belies its measurements and it sits comfortably on the wrist. The agship watch has a platinum case, and a new movement was used to display the grand date, moon phase and day of the week, which all instantaneously change. Patek Philippe is, of course, renowned for its high-end complications and typically this new movement involved the ling of six patent applications. Another new movement was created for the other two pieces: a steel case and integrated bracelet with an
olive-green dial, and a bi-metal version, featuring steel and subtle rose gold, with a blue dial. Both are powered by a self-winding calibre with stop-seconds function.
All three watches feature horizontally embossed dial patterns and alternate polished and vertical satinbrushed nishes, to enhance their contemporary styling.
Thierry Stern remains fairly tight lipped about the next birth into this new family, but he promises siblings – which means we can look forward to di erent sizes, dial colours and maybe gem-set versions. Charisma and character de ne these new pieces and there’s no doubting their wrist presence. And you’ll spot them across a crowded room, no problem. patek.com
LEFT Elegant and bold, the Ref 5821/1AR Cubitus has a two-tone design in rose gold and steel
TAG Heuer
By fusing avant garde design with distinct style, TAG Heuer has become a world pioneer in watchmaking innovation, meeting every new challenge head on, and then pushing it even further.
Seamlessly blending aesthetic air and technical precision, the brand’s iconic timepieces are legendary in the horological world
PREVIOUS PAGE Monza Flyback Chronometer 42mm with carbon case, £12,100
THIS PAGE, FROM LEFT Tourbillon Chronograph 42mm with black alligator strap, £20,950. Aquaracer Professional 200 Solargraph 34mm, £2,600
OPPOSITE Monaco Chronograph Racing Green 39mm, £8,150
Pole position
When a signi cant stake in TAG Heuer was acquired by the McLaren team principal in 1988, it forged a link between the Swiss watchmaker and Formula 1 driver Ayrton Senna that has stood the test of time, says Simon de Burton
With a history in motorsport that dates back more than a century, TAG Heuer has enjoyed associations with some of the greatest racing drivers of all time. But the one it’s probably most proud of is with triple Formula 1 World Champion, Ayrton Senna. More than a dozen models have been produced over the years, with the latest, the Carrera Chronograph Tourbillon x Senna, recently released.
Senna, who was born in 1960 in São Paulo, Brazil, rst got behind the wheel at the tender age of four, when his father bought him a petrol-engined kart that, nine years later, led to his rst race victory – a mere four years after which he was crowned 1977 South American Kart Champion. From there, Senna needed just four more years to become British Formula Ford 1600 champ – and a mere three years after that he was recruited to the Toleman Hart Formula 1 team, with whom he achieved a trio of podium nishes in 1984.
Among the most celebrated was at a drenched Monaco circuit where, having started 13th on the grid, he guided the underdog Toleman to a remarkable second-place nish in a display of the almost supernatural wet-weather
driving skills that would later earn him the nickname “The Rain Master”. But it was over the following three years that Senna’s true brilliance began to shine through, when a move to Lotus for the 1985 season resulted in his rst two Grand Prix wins and four further podiums.
He nished 1987 with two wins and six more podiums, for a third place in the overall driver standings that proved beyond doubt that the Brazilian was heading for World Champion status. He achieved that pinnacle in 1988 in his rst year with McLaren, the team with whom he became best associated, and where he developed the famous rivalry with teammate Alain Prost that formed the basis of the award-winning 2010 documentary lm Senna, directed by Asif Kapadia.
It was also in 1988 that the now inextricable link between Senna and TAG Heuer was rst forged, when McLaren’s then team principal Ron Dennis became a major shareholder. In the early years, Senna’s relationship with TAG Heuer was based on a mutual appreciation rather than any o cial contract, with the brand’s watches becoming the star’s default choice as his
ABOVE Ayrton Senna prepares for the start of a race with his trusty TAG Heuer on his wrist
Senna left McLaren for Williams ahead of the 1994 season but, keen to maintain his relationship with TAG Heuer, he signed as an o cial ambassador
SENNA’S TAG HEUER WATCHES OF CHOICE
From the start of the 1989 racing season, Senna was never to be seen without a TAG Heuer on his wrist. These are the models that will for ever be associated with him.
superb driving ability brought him further World Championship victories in 1990 and 1991. Throughout this time, and right up until 1993, Senna was most often seen wearing a TAG Heuer S/EL digi-analogue chronograph on a distinctive leather strap, a watch still regarded as his signature model (and an example of the one he gifted to McLaren F1 mechanic Ron Pellat, which realised €55,200 at a Bonhams auction in 2007).
Senna left McLaren for Williams ahead of the 1994 season but, keen to maintain his relationship with TAG Heuer, he signed as an o cial ambassador in the same year. At the time, TAG Heuer was not long into its partnership with McLaren as o cial timing partner –a role that the watchmaker’s PR manager Mike Vogt was heavily responsible for promoting. ‘Part of that involved developing personal relationships with the drivers, especially Senna,’ recalls Vogt. ‘That included supplying them with watches, in return for which they would happily talk with our customers during the race weekend.
‘TAG Heuer was a McLaren sponsor but when Senna changed to Williams it was very important to us [TAG Heuer] to keep him and, thankfully, he agreed to stay with us on an o cial basis,’ explains Vogt. At the time, Senna and his manager, Celso Lemos, were keen to develop the Senna brand to ensure the driver had an income after he retired from racing. Because of this, they came up with the slogan “Driven to Perfection”, devised the famous Senna “S” logo and entered into a partnership with Ducati to create the limited-edition 996 Senna superbike.
‘Our idea was to design a special Senna watch based on the new 6000 Series that had been launched earlier in 1994,’ says Vogt, ‘and Senna suggested making one with a chequered- ag pattern on the dial together with a red Senna “S”, and tting the watch with his preferred type of leather bracelet. But as fate would dictate, 1 May 1994 was to mark the end of one of the most stellar careers in motor-racing history when Senna lost control of his car at the Imola circuit’s Tamburello corner while leading the San Marino Grand Prix, causing him to hit a concrete retaining wall at more than 145mph.
Despite being dragged from the wreckage almost immediately and airlifted to hospital, he was pronounced dead two hours later, leaving the Formula 1 world and his millions of fans in a state of shock. In the months before his death, however, Senna had begun to seek a way of using his success to bene t those less fortunate than himself. Although known for his spontaneous generosity in helping people in di culty, he knew he could achieve greater things through an o cial organisation – and early
OPPOSITE Senna prepares for a race
ABOVE Aboard the Honda Marlboro McLaren racecar
in 1994, he set out the framework of the Instituto Ayrton Senna to support education for Brazilian children.
The Senna brand he initiated with Lemos, meanwhile, went on to see the now-famous Senna “S” symbol being used on a raft of licensed products, ranging from those Ducati motorcycles in the early days to, more recently, a McLaren supercar, video games, clothing and even a vertical take-o aircraft.
Following his death, Senna’s family decreed that production of his special watch should go ahead and TAG Heuer opted to make 1,000 examples of the Series 6000 Senna in three sizes – with some of the proceeds from sales going to the Instituto Ayrton Senna. The creation of those original Senna watches proved to be the start of one of the longest, continuously running relationships in the watch industry.
The latest, the Carrera Chronograph Tourbillon x Senna, is a 500-piece limited edition launched to coincide with the new Senna Net ix series marking 30 years since his death. It premieres on 29 November. Some of the proceeds of sales of the 37,000 CHF watch will go to the Instituto Ayrton Senna which, since its founding, has raised more than $500 million to help educate 36 million Brazilian children – adding to the already remarkable legacy left by Senna as one of the nest racing drivers the world has ever seen. tagheuer.com
THE NEW TAG HEUER CARRERA CHRONOGRAPH TOURBILLON X SENNA
Launched by TAG Heuer in October 2024 as part of the commemorations marking the extraordinary life and career of Ayrton Senna, the Carrera Chronograph Tourbillon x Senna has been designed with meticulous attention to detail and incorporates elements that reflect the spirit and achievements of the legendary Formula 1 driver. To symbolise his speed and precision, the carbon bezel is inscribed with “Senna” and the tachymeter scale reaches 400km/h. A skeleton dial bearing a chequered-flag motif represents his victorious spirit, while on the 44mm timepiece’s caseback is an iconic image of Senna with his helmet, supplied by the Senna Foundation. Coupled with markings that denote the release of a limited edition of just 500 of these exceptional timepieces underscores the exclusivity of the watch. Even the high-quality blue rubber strap it comes with – being at once both durable and comfortable – encapsulates Senna’s relentless pursuit of perfection. £33,050
Omega
Omega watches have braved the vacuum of space, been to the moon, plunged the depths of the world’s oceans, and graced the wrists of world leaders. Among the Swiss powerhouse’s iconic collections are the Speedmaster and the Seamaster, both a perfect marriage of performance and design
PREVIOUS PAGE Speedmaster
“The First Omega in Space” with 39.7mm polished-brushed stainless-steel case, £7,400
THIS PAGE Seamaster Diver
300M 42mm steel chronometer with green ceramic bezel, £5,600
OPPOSITE Seamaster Aqua Terra 150M 41mm stainless-steel chronometer, £6,200
HOROLOGY RIGHT On 21 July 1969 Buzz Aldrin became the second human being to set foot on the lunar surface, and the Omega Speedmaster he wore became “The First Watch on the Moon”
Time and space
The latest in the long and honourable line of Omega Speedmasters is called
“The First Omega in Space”. Robert Ryan explores the watch’s interplanetary origins
When Omega launched its rst Speedmaster in 1957, manned space ight was still in the realm of science ction. Eventually, the watch would make the journey into space and, ultimately, to the moon. Yet the Speedy had a life before the moon, and the latest iteration salutes those heady years, taking its design cues and features from the Omegas of the late 1950s and early 1960s, when Nasa (born a year after the Speedmaster) rst turned its gaze on the heavens.
But it is not to the ’57 iteration that “The First Omega in Space” is an homage. Instead, it is to the CK2998 launched two years later, with slight variations from its predecessor, such as “Alpha” hands replacing the original “Broad Arrow” style, and a black aluminium bezel.
“The First Omega in Space” also features the Alpha handset lled with vintage photoluminescent SuperLumiNova. Other retro features include a vintage Omega typeface, and a sapphire crystal glass that mimics the original domed hesalite (which is a form of acrylic: tough and exible but more susceptible to scratches than sapphire). The watch contains another 21st-century upgrade, the much-praised Co-Axial Master Chronometer Calibre 3861 movement, which is rated to 15,000 gauss, a measure of its anti-magnetic properties, as certi ed by the Swiss Federal Institute of Metrology (METAS).
But it is the caseback that reveals the signi cance of this watch. Turn the edition over and there is the famed
“THE FIRST OMEGA IN SPACE” MAKES A VINTAGE RETURN
This year’s updated models of the iconic “The First Omega in Space” follow the second-generation style of 1959, with a symmetrical 39.7mm case in polished-brush stainless steel and a black aluminium bezel featuring the essential tachymeter scale, including the “Dot over Ninety” (as opposed to sitting beside the numeral). In keeping with the brand’s heritage, the watch features two vintage logos, one on the dial, the other on the crown. On the case back are the Omega Seahorse medallion and the engravings “Speedmaster”, “The First Omega in Space” and “October 3, 1962”. To give the watches an upgrade, they are driven by a Co-Axial Master Chronometer Calibre 3861, the latest evolution of the calibre that powered the original models. Because automatic movements were not up to the job in space in the 1960s, it is, of course, manually wound. £7,400
Omega Seahorse medallion, plus the engravings “The First Omega in Space” and “October 3, 1962”. Naturally, there is a story behind those words. Back in 1959, following physical and mental evaluations, Nasa selected seven test pilots, from an initial batch of 110 candidates, to go into space as part of its upcoming Mercury Project. A key element of the early discussions between the seven and Nasa was whether these pilots should have any control over the capsule and if it should have a window. None of the Mercury Seven wanted to be seen as just a “man in a can” orbiting the Earth, and they won the argument on both counts.
Having the ability to manoeuvre in space meant accurate timekeeping was essential, as not everyone had faith in the mission clocks in the capsules. Several of the astronauts decided to buy their own timepieces, including Walter “Wally” Schirra, who chose an o -the-shelf, second-generation Omega Speedmaster.
Schirra and his Speedmaster threw o the earthly bonds on 3 October 1962, in Sigma 7. During his six orbits of the Earth, Schirra demonstrated the use of manual controls to override the automatic ones, illustrating that the astronauts could “ y” the capsules.
The Speedies used on the Gemini 4 orbits in 1965 were the 1964 update, which also contained the Calibre 321 movement, and one was used by astronaut Ed White to time his EVA (extra-vehicular activity) and the bursts from the gas-powered “zip gun” he used to propel himself. This was the Speedmaster model that would undergo the famously rigorous testing demanded by Deke Slayton, 11 tough assessments involving extremes of pressure, temperature, acceleration, shock and humidity, which were designed to test three di erent makes of timepiece to destruction. Only the Omega Speedmaster survived, becoming the rst and only watch to be ight-quali ed for manned space missions by Nasa. Omegas are still used for space ights by Nasa to this day.
That Speedmaster evolved into what is now known as the Moonwatch, which was larger at 42mm and featured an asymmetric build with crown guards and wider-set
LEFT Astronaut Wally Schirra wore his own second-generation Omega Speedmaster into space in October 1962
Astronaut images courtesy of Nasa
chronograph pushers. All three astronauts on board Apollo 11 for the moonlanding – Michael Collins, Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin and Neil Armstrong – wore this watch, but only one of the watches made it to the surface of the moon. Armstrong, the rst to descend from the lunar lander Eagle, had left his Omega behind in the orbiting command module with Collins, as the on-board timer was malfunctioning. Thus, Aldrin’s became “The First Watch on the Moon”.
Arguably, though, the ultimate proof of the worth of having an accurate and reliable watch as back-up came two missions later, on the ill-fated Apollo 13. Once the three astronauts on board had sling-shotted around the moon and were heading back to Earth, Nasa determined their angle of approach was too shallow; they were in danger of bouncing o the atmosphere and being lost in space. It was decided they needed to re their remaining engine for exactly 14 seconds. As commander Jim Lovell recalled in the programme: ‘So we had to make another
burn. But our computer was down. Our guidance system wasn’t working. Our autopilot was o . We had to do it manually. We had to use the Earth as a target. Line up with a little gun sight that we had in the window of the lunar module. I knew that when that engine goes on that I’d never be able to keep the Earth in the window by myself. So, I said, “Fred [Haise], keep the Earth from going back and forth too much. I’ll keep the Earth from going up and down too much. Jack [Swigert], time [the burn] with your wristwatch.”’
That wristwatch was, of course, a Speedmaster and it was probably its nest hour.
Now, with this launch, Omega a cionados can celebrate the exciting early years of space exploration by wearing – with a choice of three straps – an icon that shares its DNA and aesthetics with the very watch that Wally Schirra wore when he rode the mighty Atlas rocket up to orbit and into horological history. omegawatches.com
ABOVE On 13 December 1972, Eugene A Cernan wore a Speedmaster 105.003 as he became the nal person, to date, to walk on the moon
Tudor
Rooted in the brand’s “Born to Dare” philosophy, Tudor watches appeal to those desiring not just precision, but a bold statement. As a sibling of Rolex, the brand shares much of its respected character, panache and robust high quality. Discover your personal style from DMR’s exceptional range
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Black Bay 41 stainless steel chronograph with blue dial, £4,880
ABOVE, FROM TOP Black Bay Fifty-Eight GMT 39 stainless steel with black dial, £3,770; Black Bay 31 steel and yellow gold with black diamond dial, £5,240
OPPOSITE Royal 34 stainless steel and 18ct yellow gold with brown diamond dial, £3,810
Riding high
With its own namesake team and a watch that captures the spirit of cycling, Tudor is going for roadracing gold. Shane C Kurup discovers what makes the Swiss horologist’s ingenious new timepiece special
Given that timing is everything in sport, it’s only natural that watchmakers have forged strong ties with the world’s foremost athletes. One such watchmaker is Tudor, whose long-time support of New Zealand’s All Blacks and the extreme sports of big-wave sur ng, freediving, Formula 1 and yacht racing all cement the brand’s commitment to high-adrenaline pursuits.
In 2018, it made its foray into pro cycling, taking the rst steps to form its own squad to compete in the sport’s most challenging road races. Then, in 2022, Tudor took it up a gear, persuading the retired Fabian Cancellara to head up the team. During his career, the Swiss rider bagged two Olympic golds and was world champion four times.
The Tudor Pro Cycling Team led by Cancellara consists of 28 cyclists, each selected for their skill in a certain specialism – from hill climbing to long-distance sprinting and rolling-terrain whizzing. This year saw them compete in a Grand Tour for the rst time – the notoriously tough Giro d’Italia. This 3,400-km (2,113mile) race is cycled over 21 stages across Italy’s rippling hills, hairpin mountain bends and cobblestone streets and is considered a greater test of a cyclist’s mettle than the Tour de France. The team ranked in the top 10 for general classi cation – a worthy achievement for its Grand Tour debut.
‘Training is tailored to each rider,’ says Swiss-born Tom Bohli, 30, who was approached by Cancellara to join the team in 2022 for his merits as a distance and
time-trail rider. ‘We get a schedule from our coaches in line with our race schedule and expectations within the team. But riders have to plan the time, location and ultimately the terrain ourselves.’
When going from each stage of the tour to another, cyclists travel on a purpose-built team coach, with an entourage of 63 professionals to keep them performing at their best. A nutritionist and chef work from a mobile canteen to ensure meals are balanced. Coaches keep cyclists tuned in to their stats and performance and a team of carers and medical professionals looks after their physical and mental wellbeing. Of course, the team would be nothing without their wheels and a crew of 10 engineers is in charge of the eight BMC ultra-light carbon bikes allocated to each rider to ensure that every bike has the right accessories and parts to stay road-worthy. As sleep is crucial for recovery, the support team goes so far as moving each rider’s mattress from hotel to hotel as the tour progresses, to encourage quality shut-eye.
Naturally, Tudor’s association with the team has in uenced its catalogue of coveted sports watches. While the Black Bay Chrono was initially the team’s timepiece of choice, this year Tudor pulled out all the stops and developed a watch engineered especially for velophiles. Released at the Giro d’Italia 2024 in Turin, the Pelagos FXD Chrono “Cycling Edition” is Tudor’s rst timepiece dedicated to the sport and o ers a slew of features that make it ideal for both amateur and elite cyclists.
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Taking part in such a gruelling feat of endurance calls for serious preparation, with riders getting in 20–30 hours’ saddle time a week
ABOVE Heading up the Tudor team, Fabian Cancellara (centre) is Switzerland’s most decorated pro cyclist
INTRODUCING THE NEW TUDOR PELAGOS FXD CHRONO “CYCLING EDITION” 43MM
Specially engineered by Tudor for its Pro Cycling Team, this chronograph has been designed with both functionality and light weight in mind and is more than robust enough to stand up to the extreme demands of the sport, while being easy for riders to operate. Its case is made from carbon composite, echoing the carbon fibre used to construct the world’s fastest racing bikes But beyond toughness and durability, the “Cycling Edition” is intended to be of use to riders as they put in time on their bikes. Its tachymeter is presented in a way specifically suited for the average speeds that cyclists routinely sustain. Wrapped around the dial in a spiral, this scale can be read at a glance by the riders, with no need for them to take their hands off the handlebars. £4,560
The carbon-composite case echoes the materials used for the frames of the Tudor team’s BMC bicycles, while the technical fabric strap is woven in France on 19th-century looms, fusing Tudor’s sense of traditional workmanship and modern functionality. Beneath the handsome, dark face is a chronograph – a common feature typically used for timing motor-racing – but Tudor recalibrated the function so cyclists can keep tabs on their performance. The tachymeter on the dial used for calculating speed over a set distance has been redrawn and wrapped around the dial in a spiral, allowing the cyclists to read their average speed at a glance. And the ingenuity of the design has earned fans in the pro team. ‘I spend a considerable amount of my training in Belgium on cobblestone roads,’ says Bohli, ‘and the ultra-light carbon- bre case, titanium components and ergonomic design make it extremely comfortable to wear. The resilience of the materials used also mean it’s very hard to scratch and it can ght against the elements.’
Aside from its obvious sporting prowess, the stealthy, all-black design also makes it the ideal daily wearer. ‘It’s a watch you can wear for a ride,’ says Bohli, ‘then hit the shower, but is stylish enough to keep on for wherever your day takes you. And unlike most “wearable” watches in the sports category, its bulletproof self-winding movement can store 70 hours’ worth of mechanical energy, so it’s one less thing you need to charge – and will still be ticking over after a long weekend o the wrist.’
As for the team, with both Tudor and time on its side, the wheels are geared up for more road-racing triumphs. tudorwatch.com
While the Black Bay Chrono was initially the team’s timepiece of choice, this year Tudor pulled out all the stops and developed a watch engineered especially for velophiles
BELOW Tudor Pro Cycling Team member
Marius Mayrhofer, 24, takes to the road
IWC
With robustness, meticulous workmanship and easy readability all deeply rooted in the Swiss marque’s DNA, IWC creates masterpieces of haute horlogerie that combine engineering and maximum precision with exclusive design, securing it a position as one of the world’s premium brands in the luxury watch market
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Porto no Perpetual Calendar 40 in stainless steel with calfskin strap, £21,500; Ingenieur Automatic 40 in stainless steel, £10,500
OPPOSITE Portugieser Automatic 42mm with stainless-steel case and alligator strap, £11,500
THIS PAGE Portugieser 41mm 5N red gold chronograph with Obsidian dial and alligator strap, £16,700
Game changer
Each year IWC revamps one of its core lines. This year it was the Portugieser, a dress watch that’s never looked so of its time, says Laura McCreddie-Doak
The Portugieser – formerly known as the Portuguese, with the German moniker being introduced and retrospectively adopted in 2015 – always had the dubious honour of being ahead of its time. It rst appeared in 1939 against a backdrop of turmoil in Europe. Politics were becoming more radicalised, with democracies turning into dictatorships, and economies being pushed to the limit. Being neutral, Switzerland depended on stability for the success of its network of exports. With its European neighbours becoming polarised, it needed to nd new markets into which to expand.
One of these was Portugal, a country with di erent demands from other markets. As well as wanting pocket watches and women’s dress styles, there was an interest in wristwatches with marine chronometer levels of precision. And it was a request for this type of watch from a wholesaler in Lisbon, believed to be run by Messrs Rodrigues and Antonio Teixeira, that led to the creation of the then-named Mod 228.
‘When the Portugieser rst appeared in 1939, it was an anomaly, due to its size,’ says Craig Hawes, in-house expert at pre-owned watch specialist Watch nder & Co. ‘At that time, only pilot’s watches really came in case sizes over 35mm – IWC was actually making pilot’s watches that exceeded 50mm at this time – so its larger dimensions would have been considered a bit cumbersome and indiscreet. Almost a step backwards to the era of the pocket watch.’
Post-war, through the 1950s and 60s, IWC ourished, with its output increasing to around 50,000, but the
ABOVE Designed to take into account complex leap-year exceptions, the perpetual calendar’s complication is accurate to the year 4000
PREVIOUS PAGE Wherever maximum precision and accuracy are required, IWC employs machines, but for assembly it relies on the watchmakers’ skill and expertise
Ref 325, as the Mod 228 was then known, having been renamed, continued to languish, its lack of visibility contributing perhaps to poor sales.
‘The Portugieser was only manufactured sporadically in the decades after it rst appeared,’ says Hawes, ‘so it wouldn’t have been as visible as other dress watches of the time, such as Patek Philippe’s Calatrava, which has never been out of production.’
There was a brief chance for a revival in 1973, when a Swiss retailer showed an interest in the movements and bought a third-generation Ref 325 from IWC, but the arrival of cheap quartz on the market put paid to that.
In keeping with the Ref 325’s reliance on the vagaries of fate, it was the chance arrival of a client at the IWC atelier wearing a vintage Ref 325 that brought it back into the limelight. Those working there were struck by how unique this watch was. Bear in mind this is the era of chunky oversized Royal Oak O shores and Seiko Divers. People just weren’t looking for dress watches with a Bauhaus edge. Even IWC wasn’t entirely sure that reviving the Ref 325 as its 125th anniversary watch was a sure bet, only making a thousand in steel and a few hundred in rose gold or platinum. However, its “against-the-grain” style hit a sartorial nerve.
‘Anything that bucks the trend can go either way –a spectacular failure or an industry game changer,’ says Hawes. ‘The red Portugieser was bold and fresh. For a dressier watch, it was a head-turner and maybe even in uenced other luxury brands to add a bit of colour to their dress watch lines, which has been apparent in recent years. It de nitely feels like the dress
THE NEW IWC PORTUGIESER PERPETUAL CALENDAR 44
IWC Schaffhausen originally developed its perpetual calendar in the 1980s and launched its completely reengineered Perpetual Calendar 44 at Watches and Wonders 2024 in Geneva. It features a 44.4mm dial size, in a case of robust 18ct Armor Gold. It features an Obsidian black dial finished with layers of transparent lacquer, polished to a high gloss, and has gold-plated hands and gold appliqués. It’s completed by an alligator strap by Santoni The Perpetual Calendar 44 has displays for the date, day, month, year in four digits, and perpetual moon phase. All the displays are perfectly synchronised with each other and can be advanced easily by single crown.
The IWC Double Moon™ display shows the moon as it can be seen from the Northern and Southern hemispheres. The timepiece is driven by the IWC-made 52616 calibre assembled from 386 individual parts. Its automatic Pellaton winding system converts movements in the wearer’s arm into a reliable power reserve of seven days. £41,000
The star, however, is the new hand-wound tourbillon,
which illustrates why IWC’s Portugieser is the collection where experimentation happens
watch doesn’t need to be as conservative as it used to be. The shackles are o and the Portugieser line has had a say in that.’
In this year’s relaunched Portugieser collection, technical mastery is balanced with impeccable panache. New colours have been added – a soft, desert-at-dusk shade appropriately called Dune, and the glossy black Obsidian dial shown here – a hard and brittle volcanic glass – created with 15 layers of lacquer. It pairs beautifully with the case in the warm tones of IWC’s in-house proprietary rose gold, called Armor Gold.
The Automatic 40 has been subtly reworked with a new slimmer case construction and double box-glass sapphire crystals giving the dial a new expansiveness, allowing its minimalist design to be appreciated. On the Automatic 42, a new slimmer bezel has the same e ect. A re-engineered case construction on the
BELOW The dial on the Portugieser is crafted through 60 meticulous steps, including 15 layers of clear lacquer alone
Perpetual Calendar 44 gives the wearer more space to observe the mesmeric complication, which, despite its four subdials, manages to retain the Portugieser Bauhaus signature.
The star, however, is the new hand-wound tourbillon, which illustrates why IWC’s Portugieser is the collection where experimentation happens. At nine o’clock, there is an orb, but it’s not a moonphase, rather a day/night indicator. The idea was actually that of a young (now former) apprentice watchmaker, who submitted the design for consideration. It’s hard to imagine anywhere else where a young watchmaker could have their ideas taken so seriously, they become a major part of a collection relaunch.
For DMR, the connection to the IWC Portugieser evokes something more personal than its merely being an incredibly designed ahead-of-its-time dress watch. ‘I often feel that DMR’s residence in Liverpool, once a major world port steeped in history, adds synergy to this model and our locals that relate right back to the day in 1939 when two Portuguese merchants requested a maritime wristwatch to support their travelling lifestyle,’ says Cordelia Hyde, sales ambassador at DMR’s Liverpool One boutique. ‘Our Portugieser wearers appreciate quiet luxury, with a fascinating story to tell.’ iwc.com
SHOWROOMS
To walk into one of David M Robinson’s showrooms is to step into a world where art, precision, passion and expertise merge; a place where memories are made and love stories are just beginning. The spaces are as warm and welcoming as the friendly sta , ensuring clients receive a service unlike any other. Over the following pages, take a closer look at the elegant spaces around the UK, from DMR stores to mono-brand boutiques, described by the people who manage them, who make DMR special
ALTRINCHAM
JACKIE SALMON, SHOWROOM MANAGER
Our newly refurbished Altrincham showroom is dedicated to jewellery, with expert designers and master goldsmiths on site, allowing our customers to be fully immersed in the creative process. If there’s one thing that sums up our ethos, it’s that we say “yes” to each person’s bespoke vision and work out how to make it happen. There shouldn’t be any barriers when it comes to designing a dream jewel, and that goes for all budgets. The Altrincham showroom is a place that celebrates our roots as a heritage jewellery house because everything can be done under one roof, from the initial sketches to the nished jewel. Buying jewellery is an emotionally charged experience, so we devote as much attention as possible to fostering strong client relationships so that the joy, symbolism and sentimentality of each piece can ourish. It’s all about creating a memorable journey for our clients. 14 Railway Street, Altrincham WA14 2RE; 0333 996 9987
HIGHLIGHT OF MY YEAR Going with the DMR senior team to Paris and enjoying an amazing dinner at The Peninsula hotel after a day touring the city on Segways.
ABOVE The DMR Altrincham showroom.
BELOW Team
DMR Altrincham
CANARY WHARF
BALE SEKULCESKA, SHOWROOM MANAGER
Working for a family business is wonderful because there’s a strong feeling of collaboration rooted in the brand’s DNA. It’s something that you instantly feel –like you are part of the family too! Because I split my time between two locations, it’s important to have a very structured day. I like to be fully prepped for each and every client, so that the team and I can o er them the best guidance and insight. I spend two thirds of my time at our recently refurbished Canary Wharf boutique, where we share our passion for the DMR jewellery collections, and nest luxury watches from Patek Philippe, Rolex and Tudor in a relaxed and comfortable space. We’re thrilled that our clientele is growing at a fast rate because of the evolution of the area into an increasingly residential one. Creating a sense of belonging is the cornerstone of the DMR brand, so we like to foster community connections, even in a busy area like Canary Wharf. 32-33 Jubilee Place, Canary Wharf E14 5NY; 0333 996 9987
HIGHLIGHT OF MY YEAR Taking some of our VIP clients to visit Patek Philippe in Geneva – a memorable few days.
BELOW
ABOVE The welcoming Canary Wharf store.
Here, clients can discover watch options in the relaxed but luxurious dedicated areas
LIVERPOOL
ALISHA FOULKES, SHOWROOM MANAGER
Our re t in spring 2022 was about transforming the DMR experience into something much more dynamic, fun and sociable for our customers, and the showroom is now a discreetly curated environment split into distinct zones. You feel relaxed and totally indulged here, boosted by the fact that we have trained watchmakers and in-house goldsmiths on site who are happy to demonstrate their skills and discuss any questions you may have. In fact, our master goldsmith, Rupert, has been with DMR for over 35 years, having started out as Mr Robinson’s bench apprentice. I have worked for the company for over 20
years, and no two days are alike – there’s always a new project to explore, new people to meet and new stories to bring to life. The most thrilling part of all, is when the grown-up children of existing clients come to us for their bespoke engagement rings and custom-made pieces. It is a huge compliment to be regarded as a family jeweller.
4–6 South John Street, Liverpool L1 8BJ; 0333 996 9987
HIGHLIGHT OF MY YEAR Visiting jewellery shows in Las Vegas, Venice and Hong Kong – all in one year!
LEFT The Liverpool showroom includes dedicated watch brand spaces that feel like a boutique within a boutique
THE PENINSULA
BALE SEKULCESKA, SHOWROOM MANAGER
I spend my afternoons at our boutique located within The Peninsula London hotel in Belgravia, which is no hardship since it is one of London’s most exclusive and luxurious hotels. It attracts a chic and discerning clientele from all over the world, so not only are we especially sensitive to each client’s personal preferences and individual needs, we make sure we are as focussed and e cient as possible. If someone is visiting London for a short break, their time is precious, so being well-organised, personable and dynamic is a given. I spend all my time on the shop oor as I love to be involved with everything that happens during the day, from supporting my team, to spending time with clients, many of them regulars from the UK as well as abroad. I love it when our customers from the north-west come in when they are staying at the hotel. The boutique has been instrumental in showcasing our in-house jewellery collections, including very special one-o pieces, to a wider international audience. Personal favourites are the Lunar and Hopscotch lines because they are classic with a contemporary twist. In fact, I am often complimented on my own Lunar ring which e ortlessly blends glamour and modern elegance, so the perfect t for this exceptional location.
DMR at The Peninsula London hotel, 1 Grosvenor Place SW1X 7HJ; 0333 996 9987
MANCHESTER
HANNAH WILLIAMS, SHOWROOM MANAGER
I began at DMR in 2013 at the Cheshire branch and enjoyed working alongside such a dynamic team as I progressed through the ranks. I became manager of DMR’s Manchester showroom just over three years ago. Staying in a single company for a long stretch of time is rare these days, but so many of us at DMR do. That’s because growing with the company is hugely rewarding, with the business going beyond the traditional notions of luxury to create a real connection with clients. In our main showroom, we have areas dedicated to Rolex, IWC and DMR jewellery which create a visually impactful connection between the shop’s indoor and outdoor spaces, since these brands are displayed in the lovely large windows that wrap around our corner building. We also have an in-house Rolex service centre where clients can see our watchmakers at work. There’s a private lounge area where we host special events – most recently a watchmaking masterclass for our valued IWC clients. I’m especially proud of our jewellery division, comprising in-house collections and a bespoke service, which has thrived in a highly competitive environment. We’re situated in Manchester’s city centre where there’s a lot of choice for jewellery lovers, and yet many of our customers are return clients. Not only do we o er a very high level of service and craftsmanship, we’re also focused on making people feel heard, appreciated and understood. 28 St Ann’s Square, Manchester M2 7JB; 0333 996 9987
HIGHLIGHT OF MY YEAR Walking onto the Rolex and Patek Philippe exhibition stands at Watches and Wonders in Geneva in April.
ABOVE DMR at the exclusive Peninsula London hotel. RIGHT Manchester’s light- lled corner showroom
THE BOUTIQUES
Along with ve showrooms, David M Robinson also has standalone luxury watch brand stores for Omega, Tudor and TAG Heuer
TUDOR BOUTIQUE, MANCHESTER
DANIEL COLE, MANAGER
ABOVE Clients mark milestone events such as birthdays, anniversaries, personal milestones or a special memory with help from the Tudor boutique
We are Tudor’s rst mono-brand boutique in Manchester, located a stone’s throw from our St Ann’s Square showroom. In fact, DMR is the rst independent retailer to partner with the Swiss watchmaker in the UK, so the shop is extra special. I’ve worked in this industry for 15 years and I love being around watches. Tudor is an especially exciting brand because it has a very adventurous spirit, always innovative when it comes to timekeeping technology, with strong, wearable designs that link back to a rich and compelling history. We’ve just launched the new Tudor Pelagos FXD GMT, which is a beautiful addition to our collection and one that’s now on my bucket list. Our most popular model is the Black Bay, which has many iterations including a highly coveted pink chronograph. There’s something unique about working with Tudor watches, because most purchases we see are made to mark a meaningful moment in someone’s life. We also cater to avid collectors who bring their own energy and excitement to the boutique. 22 St Ann Street, Manchester M2 7LF; 0161 808 1926
HIGHLIGHT OF MY YEAR Attending the America’s Cup in Barcelona with Tudor.
TAG HEUER BOUTIQUE, LIVERPOOL
JAMES WALWYN, MANAGER
We are the UK’s largest TAG Heuer boutique and, as the brand has a rich heritage linked to the world of sport, we have plenty of motorsport memorabilia including racing helmets and artworks including a mural by a local artist of a Porsche Carrera chassis. A highlight is our golf simulator which allows clients to practise their swing while trying the special golf edition of our Connected smartwatch. We opened just under a year ago and already we’ve held some memorable client events in our private lounge area, including exclusive watch reveals and a group lesson with a professional PGA golf coach. Sport and TAG Heuer go hand in hand, and it’s a pleasure to share the brand’s history with clients who aren’t yet familiar with some of those iconic connections. The story that stands out the most to me is that of the Carrera watch collection, rst debuted in 1963 and inspired by the Mexican Carrera Panamericana, a highly dangerous race that took place in the 1950s. An enduring classic, the Carrera really encapsulates a slick sense of daring. In fact, one watch that’s currently creating a real buzz is our exclusive tourbillon edition of the Carrera “Glassbox”, released to celebrate the model’s 60th anniversary last year. It’s very rare, so people travel a long way to see its craftsmanship at close range. Really this is what DMR is all about: allowing people to enjoy the brands, try things on and get a feel for what really suits them, with experts on hand to help.
23 South John Street, Liverpool L1 8BU; 0151 456 1860
HIGHLIGHT OF MY YEAR An evening of private golf lessons for clients with Nick Dougherty from Sky Sports.
The Omega boutique in Liverpool; Neil Baxandall with Rory McIlroy. BELOW The TAG Heuer boutique – its interiors feature motorsport art and memorabilia
OMEGA BOUTIQUE, LIVERPOOL
NEIL BAXANDALL,
MANAGER
The Omega boutique in Liverpool ONE is designed not just to display the watches attractively, but to create a welcoming experience. It’s one of the largest in the UK, with ample space to showcase Omega’s extensive range. At the time of opening, we were the only franchise boutique that had a fully serviced and equipped bar. Despite the range, the popularity battle between the Seamaster and Speedmaster is ongoing. Currently, the Speedmaster is leading, thanks to exciting new releases like the rst white-dial Moonwatch and the homage to the original Speedmaster worn in space. In terms of our ladies’ range, with classic collections like the Constellation and the modern Aqua Terra, we’re witnessing the popularity of these designs increase by the day. Three years ago, I joined the Omega boutique as the showroom manager, building on my eight years with DMR and my experience as a sales ambassador for Omega. My role has been focused on creating a ful lling work environment for my team and ensuring the boutique’s success. I oversee all aspects of buying and merchandising, embracing the classic responsibilities of a manager. We are the rst standalone mono-brand watch boutique in Liverpool, something that we at DMR are extremely proud of.
35 St John Street, Liverpool L1 8BU; 0333 996 9987
HIGHLIGHT OF MY YEAR Going to the Olympics in Paris with Omega. And Rory McIlroy (an Omega ambassador) popping in to say hello!
RIGHT, FROM TOP
HOPSCOTCH COLLECTION
When David M Robinson rst created the Hopscotch™ collection 13 years ago, it immediately took o as a beacon of enduring design air. The vintage children’s game, traditionally played on a pattern of numbered chalked squares with a stone, involving jumping and hopping, was the playful inspiration for this contemporary interpretation of classic diamond jewellery. Throughout, it features princess-cut diamonds, which have a square appearance but are shaped like inverted pyramids on the underside to maximise the light in the stone’s re ections. The dazzling stones are set in the formation of the game.
The design family features luxurious pendants, earrings, necklaces and bangles, and includes the
original iconic seven-stone ring, available in 18ct yellow gold, 18ct white-gold or platinum settings.
‘Hopscotch is one of our most recognisable collections,’ says Vix Smith, in-house designer at DMR. ‘In fact, it’s our most popular line,’ she adds. ‘Over the years, the collection has expanded to add 18ct gold sculptural pieces across a wide range of price points, including our High Jewellery creations with pieces such as a beautiful collar.’
It’s a chic and elegant design, guaranteed to be eye-catching as the diamonds ow and capture the light. It’s also versatile, elevating a casual look for daytime or enhancing dressier eveningwear as the sparkling last detail. A regular on the red carpet, each bold and striking piece will turn heads. From a simple, irregularly set diamond drop pendant, to a diamond huggie earring, a circle pendant or seven-stone ring, every iteration – whether discreet or more statement – demonstrates the adventurous and imaginative thinking embodied in the design direction. The success of the Hopscotch™ family ‘is due to the elegant simplicity of the design and wearability for all occasions,’ says Vix. ‘It is a contemporary classic.’
From £2,000; davidmrobinson.co.uk
ABOVE The Hopscotch™ collection uses dazzling princess-cut diamonds to playful e ect. BELOW 18ct white gold, sevenstone ring, Hopscotch™
EXPERIENCE ELEGANCE
The Peninsula London brings the finest hospitality, exquisite accommodation, exemplary service and the best of British art and culture to the heart of Belgravia.
