CHINA. Online retailers Net-A-Porter and Mr Porter have partnered to deliver a series of digital and offline events at Watches & Wonders, the global concept that celebrates watchmaking excellence. Between them they will feature 14 luxury watch brands with editorial, curated content and brand launches for their respective customer bases, starting from today (28 September).
As reported, the prestigious Watches & Wonders event arrives in Sanya tomorrow (from previous host city Shanghai), after China Duty Free Group signed a partnership agreement with Richemont and Fondation de La Haute Horlogerie.
It will remain in Sanya from 29 September to 31 October with 11 brands presenting their latest creations in a dedicated space at the centre of the famous CDF Mall. The exhibition boosts the ambitious Hainan Free Trade Port construction plan and will further promote the development of tourism to Hainan Island.
The Net-A-Porter and Mr Porter event online calendar includes EIP (Extremely Important Person) virtual events and small-scale appointment-based activity, virtual one-to-one appointments and interactive Instagram Live conversations hosted by Net-A-Porter and Porter Editor in Chief, Sarah Bailey, and Mr Porter Senior Watch Editor, Chris Hall.
Net-A-Porter will introduce new creations from Cartier, Hermès, IWC Schaffhausen, Jaeger LeCoultre, Piaget and Vacheron Constantin.
Mr Porter will host a curated offering of the most recent creations from across 13 prestigious watch Maisons including Cartier, HYT and Panerai, and will introduce two new brands: Ulysse Nardin and Bovet. Ulysse Nardin will launch with eight timepieces, including the Blast Rose Gold; Bovet will launch with four timepieces, including the limited-edition Dimier Recital 27 Green.
The partners said: “The arrival of Watches & Wonders on Net-A-Porter and Mr Porter marks a significant moment for the industry, bringing together the leading watch and jewellery players, and establishes the luxury retailers as the ultimate global shopping destinations for fine watches. Following on from the Watches & Wonders digital platform that occurred on Net-A-Porter’s Tmall flagship store in April, this new initiative marks the beginning of a year-long programme and showcases a unique tri-fold industry approach to the fast-evolving luxury watch landscape.
Net-A-Porter and Mr Porter President Alison Loehnis said: “By teaming up with the world’s premier watch showcase, we want to provide an international platform for the most exceptional timepieces, supporting an environment where their stories – and those of their iconic makers – can come alive and be accessed by watch lovers across the globe.”
Fondation de la Haute Horlogerie CEO Matthieu Humair said: “We are pleased to announce this unique partnership between Watches & Wonders and Net-A-Porter and Mr Porter. It brings together selected partner brands of the Fondation de la Haute Horlogerie alongside exclusive content to create a new channel for fine watchmaking.”
