Rolex rolls into Buchanan Street
Luxury brand unveils new store on city’s top shopping spot
IT might be a tough time for the high street... but that hasn’t stopped luxury watch brand Rolex launching its swish new boutique. The Swiss company opened the doors yesterday of Scotland’s first dedicated Rolex Boutique on Buchanan Street.
With a VIP lounge, the shop ranges over two floors and has been designed to fit with Rolex’s interior design in Geneva.
Brian Duffy, chief executive of The Watches of Switzerland Group, which is responsible for the new store, 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 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 dedicated boutique on June 15 with our Scottish, Wales, Northern Ireland and UK airports opening this month.
“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.”
A specially created front of bronze and slatted walnut leads to a luxury shop with finishes in limestone, marble, bronze, walnut and leather.
There are also unique stucco panels decorated with imagery of Glasgow University’s historic main campus.
Brian added: “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.”