iW Magazine iW Summer 2018 | Page 20

DIALED IN Horological News AUDEMARS PIGUET OPENS ‘AP HOUSE’ IN HONG KONG. NYC IS NEXT. DESIGNED TO BE A HOME away from home for lovers of the Audemars Piguet brand, the first AP House, created in collaboration with several of the manufacturer’s clients, invites visitors to relax. “You can take a seat, relax and chill out, if that’s how the mood takes you,” says François-Henry Bennahmias, AP CEO. Fans can invite friends for lunch, organize a business meeting or simply hang out, according to the brand, which adds, “there’s no obligation to buy a watch.” Audemars Piguet says it came up with idea after wondering how brand founders Jules Louis Audemars and Edward Auguste Piguet would deal with their clients if they were living today. Collectors can expect an AP House in New York City soon. WATCHBOX HIRES EXECUTIVES WATCHBOX, A GLOBAL PLATFORM FOR pre-owned luxury watches, appointed former Ulysse Nardin CEO Patrik Hoffmann as executive vice president of the com- pany’s Swiss division. Former Ulysse Nardin marketing & communications director Susanne Hurni joins WatchBox as the Swiss division’s vice president of marketing and ex-Gucci executive Herbert Gautschi joins as its vice president of business operations for the region. From left: Herbert Gautschi, CEO Patrik Hoffmann and Susanne Hurni. 20 | INTERNATIONAL WATCH | SUMMER 2018 iWMAGAZINE .COM