Watchfinder & Co in Bullring debut, Goldsmiths upgrades store there

By

Sandra Halliday

Published
Jul 6, 2018

Watch specialist, Watchfinder & Co has opened its first store in the West Midlands, at the Bullring, as the shopping centre continues to attract top names that are expanding their physical stores footprint.

The brand, which specialises in buying and selling pre-owned watches, has chosen the Bullring as the location of the first Midlands-based boutique, which will target a huge consumer base in and around Britain’s second biggest city.

It’s opened a 300 sq ft unit between Links of London and Cos, offering an extensive range of pre-owned watches from more than 50 brands including, Omega, Rolex, Cartier and TAG Heuer. 

Founded in 2002 as an online retailer, it’s now Europe’s biggest pre-owned watch retailer although it still has only eight stores across London and the UK, including Hammerson centres Brent Cross and Victoria Quarter in Leeds. That makes the Bullring site an important milestone in its physical stores development.

The opening also reflects the growing importance of the watches and jewellery category at the Bullring. As mentioned, Watchfinder is next to jewellery retailer Links while luxury jeweller Goldsmiths has also launched a newly-transformed store there, including the third-largest Rolex concession in the UK. 

Following £1 million of investment, the refit includes the extension of a 560 sq ft “coveted luxury watch room”, offering a variety of branded pieces such as Rolex, Cartier, Breitling, TAG Heuer and Fope. 

Customers can also access a selection of new jewellery collections from Mappin & Webb, Messika and Birks, and an exclusive collaboration with bridal designer Jenny Packham.
 
Iain Mitchell, Commercial Director at Bullring owner Hammerson, said the Watchfinder opening after those of Nyx Professional Make Up, Russell & Bromley, and Coach, underlines the importance of the mall.

“The addition of the Rolex concession at Goldsmiths is a prime example of the growth of the premium offer available and Bullring’s appeal to international brands as one of the strongest retail destinations outside of London,” he added.
 
Watchfinder’s retail head Alex Stonely said the Bullring “has been on my wish list for some time.”