Cometh the hour: Roger Dubuis' timely pop-up at Harrods
Dorothee Henrio, the Swiss manufacture's marketing director, on the inspiration for the space and the two watches launched in its honour
This is the first time we've launched a pop-up of this scale in Harrods. We envisaged a space that would be neither a boutique nor fully centred on product – a way we could visually explain the brand to the customer. That's how we came up with the idea for our takeover of the store's Brompton Road windows – they feature a neon display that incorporates key elements such as the signature star that appears on the dial of our Excalibur watch.
Roger Dubuis is known for its skeleton watches and the Excalibur collection, with its strong, architectural identity and transparent dial, was a muse for the design of the pop-up. It conveys that transparency, but in an inviting way – it's welcoming without being too exposed.
Harrods is the most important department store in the world and we wanted to produce something special to honour that, so we launched two limited editions exclusively for the occasion. The first is an extension of our Velvet women's collection and features diamonds embedded in a carbon case. For men, meanwhile, we have the Excalibur Spider Skeleton Flying Tourbillon with black spinels, which showcases the technique of setting gems into rubber that we premiered last year.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
The pop-up also afforded us an opportunity to launch our new tagline: "Dare to be rare." Roger Dubuis is often considered the "bad boy" of the watchmaking world and we wanted to convey the notion that we are daring and extravagant – not just on the design side, but also in research and development. On one hand, we have experience of in-house manufacturing, of creating a beautiful handmade object; and on the other, we're able to be as creative as we want. There are not many other brands that can say that.
We have very strong retailers in the UK but don't yet have a standalone store. This is one of the purposes of the Harrods pop-up – to get people here even more excited about the brand. As for a boutique in London, it's on our road map – we just need to find the right location.
Visit the Roger Dubuis pop-up space, part of Harrods' Made with Love and Precision watch edit, until 30 July; rogerdubuis.com; harrods.com
DOROTHEE HENRIO, a self-proclaimed "Richemont baby", has been with the luxury group since 2000. She worked with watch brands Baume & Mercier and Cartier before taking on the role of international marketing director at Roger Dubuis
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Why more and more adults are reaching for soft toys
Under The Radar Does the popularity of the Squishmallow show Gen Z are 'scared to grow up'?
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
Magazine solutions - December 27, 2024 / January 3, 2025
Puzzles and Quizzes Issue - December 27, 2024 / January 3, 2025
By The Week US Published
-
Magazine printables - December 27, 2024 / January 3, 2025
Puzzles and Quizzes Issue - December 27, 2024 / January 3, 2025
By The Week US Published
-
In the mix: James de Givenchy
The Blend Teaming ceramic with precious stones, a New York jeweller is finding fresh ways to shine
By Jessica Diamond Published
-
Five top new women's watches
The Week Recommends From dancing diamonds to reconfigured classics, these models were recently revealed at Watches & Wonders Geneva 2024
By Alexandra Zagalsky Published
-
Five high-end watches that tell a story: from Cartier to Bulgari
The Week Recommends These limited-edition watches from top watchmakers imbue classic designs with a fresh sense of creativity
By Alexandra Zagalsky Published
-
Studio Frantzén at Harrods review: a top of the shop stunner
The Week Recommends Revel in Björn Frantzén’s new Nordic-Asian invention, precision and originality
By Neil Davey Published
-
Wandering star: Audemars Piguet’s new Code 11.59 Starwheel watch
feature Engmatic and alluring, this timepiece has a suitably spiritual backstory
By Alexandra Zagalsky Published
-
Built for adventure: TAG Heuer Aquaracer Bamford Limited Edition
Speed Read George Bamford explains his second collaboration with Swiss watch brand
By The Week Staff Last updated
-
Well timed: inside the new Audemars Piguet museum
Speed Read Swiss watch brand celebrates past and present in architectural marvel
By Jessica Bumpus Last updated
-
High time to have a ball: Dior Grand Soir Plissé Précieux
Speed Read A new haute couture timepiece by Dior
By Felix Bischof Last updated