Glashütte Original strengthens its presence in Asia
In a festive pre-Christmas spirit, guests in both cities were invited not only to discover German watchmaking at its best but could sample also other delights and traditional handcraft brought especially from Germany for the occasion.
Opening on West Nanjing Road, Shanghai
This is Glashütte Original’s third mono-brand boutique in China following the successful opening of the first two based in Beijing Oriental Plaza and Shanghai Xin Tian Di area. In the morning of December 2, Glashütte Original held an official opening ceremony where Mr. Yann Gamard, CEO of Glashütte Original, Ms. Susan Chen, President of Swatch Group China, and Ms. Linda Wan, Vice President of Glashütte Original China, cut the ribbon together.
After the ceremony, guests were invited to explore the boutique, which is designed to reflect purity, clarity, functionality as well as ultimate comfort. The carved metal ceiling shows the outlines of a mechanical movement while a so-called “wonder wall” is decorated with authentic components of Glashütte Original movements, both creating an authentic atmosphere of German precision engineering. With the help of a big magnifying glass, visitors are able to appreciate more closely all of the elaborately made and finished components. This “wonder wall” is one of a kind in China, and allows watch aficionados to immerse themselves in the unique watchmaking expertise of Glashütte Original.
In addition, there is a customer lounge to the rear of the boutique, which is designed to enhance the overall visual and emotional experience and to provide ultimate physical comfort. An innovative presentation system in the form of two complementary plasma screens has been installed to provide detailed insights into the traditional art of German watchmaking.
Novelties and core collection on display
Naturally, the latest timepieces – notably the innovative Calibre 37 – made their debut in the West Nanjing Road Boutique. The new calibre is available in the new Senator Chronograph Panorama Date and the Seventies Chronograph Panorama Date. A collection of earlier chronographs made by Glashütte Original has also arrived at the shop for this special occasion. In addition to its most recent novelties, Glashütte Original displays its entire collection in the new boutique.
Saxon Christmas spirit in China
Taking advantage of the approaching holiday season, a typical German Christmas market was set up on the opening day as a special surprise. Walking through the Christmas market in Shanghai, the guests could discover exquisitely carved nutcrackers, expertly crafted Light Arches as well as numerous colourful illuminated “Herrnhuter” stars made of folded paper. The market also offered freshly prepared mulled wine for all guests, giving them a taste of a typical Saxon Christmas.
Re-opening at the Nicolas G. Hayek Center, Tokyo
Just two days later, Glashütte Original held another opening event – this time in Tokyo’s prestigious Ginza district. On the afternoon of December 4, Glashütte Original held an official opening ceremony where Mr. Yann Gamard, CEO of Glashütte Original, Ms. Christina Hentschel, VP Marketing, Mr. Christophe Savioz, Country Manager Japan, and Mr. Katsuki Ishida, Brand Manager of Glashütte Original in Japan, warmly welcomed the guests together to the newly refurbished boutique inside the Nicolas G. Hayek Center.
The Nicolas G. Hayek Center is the world’s first building dedicated solely to watches and was designed by internationally recognized Japanese architect Shigeru Ban. The Center serves as a flagship complex with six individual boutiques of the Swatch Group brands Glashütte Original, Breguet, Blancpain, Jaquet Droz, Omega and Swatch. Thanks to a new and interactive concept, the 73m2 boutique on the fourth floor provides extraordinary insights and hands-on experience of German watchmaking art as it has been practised in Glashütte since 1845.
After renovation, this boutique has been re-opened to serve as a showcase of the German watch brand and its rich heritage. In addition to the most recent novelties, Glashütte Original displays here its entire collection of exquisite timepieces. A young lady from the manufactory in Glashütte was present during the reception and demonstrated her skills to the fascinated guests who surrounded her watchmaking bench. Given the chance, they gladly accepted the invitation to sit down at the bench and test their own talent for watchmaking.
A taste of Germany in Tokyo
To add even more German taste to the event, the famous cook Tania Kadokura, who has both German and Japanese roots, delighted the guests with a fusion of culinary specialities from the two countries and talked pleasantly about the similarities of and the differences between the two cultures.
