MONTH IN REVIEW
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OPENINGS AUCTIONS
Jewellery retailer Vashi has opened
a new store at the Selfridges London
‘Wonder Room’. A rare, early Rolex Submariner has
been sold for £48,488, including
buyer’s premium, at a Fellows
Auctioneers in Birmingham.
The retailer said the consultation
rooms feature “bright contemporary
colours” and soft furnishings, creating a
“warm yet exclusive environment”.
In celebration of the opening, Vashi
hasI launched a new diamond choker
necklace, exclusive to Selfridges.
The statement piece features an
interconnecting ‘V’ design, which sits
around the neck in a combination of 18
carat white and yellow gold.
Vashi Dominguez, founder and CEO
of Vashi, said: “Selfridges is the perfect
partner for this next stage of our
expansion as our guiding principles are
closely aligned; the spirit of innovation
and creativity and a dedication to
delivering extraordinarily intense
emotional customer experiences with
true personalisation.”
Eleanor Robinson, director of
accessories, Selfridges, added: “We
are very excited to be launching Vashi’s
new boutique within our Wonder
Room. The new space will sit amongst
other leading jewellery houses and
focuses on giving customers the
experience of making a fully unique
piece, starting with loose diamonds
and settings. The bespoke nature of
their pieces allows our clients to create
something extraordinary, which truly
lends to the Selfridges experience.” According to Fellows the
“fascinating timepiece”, was one of the
first models worn by Sean Connery’s
007 in early James Bond films, such
as Dr. No. This particular watch was
introduced in 1958, and it comes with
original box and papers, which Fellows
said is “unusual for a vintage watch”.
Laura Bishop, watch manager
at Fellows Auctioneers, said: “We
are delighted to have sold such a
fascinating and rare item. These 6538
models do not come up for sale often
so we are thrilled and over the moon
with the result.
“This watch has got some service
replacement parts but this does not
detract from the true nature of the
watch. It is always a privilege to see
amazing watches such as this one go
under the hammer.”
Vashi launches at
Selfridges Oxford
Street in the
‘Wonder Room’
October 2018 | jewelleryfocus.co.uk
‘Rare’ 1950s Rolex
sold for £48,488
at Birmingham
auction
STAT OF THE MONTH
$50m
That’s how much one of the
largest and finest fancy vivid
pink diamond ever auctioned
by auctioneers Christie has
been estimated to be worth.
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OPENINGS
Family jewellers
Hugh Rice to
open third
store with Hull
opening
Hugh Rice has announced it is opening
its second store inside British Land’s
centre St. Stephen’s in Hull, due to
open this Autumn.
The jewellers originally chose St.
Stephen’s to open their flagship store
in 2008, stocking Swiss watches and
diamond jewellery and most recently
hosting their first Rolex Room.
The new Luxe by Hugh Rice store will
provide a standalone modern space for
customers to shop for popular designer
brands such as Nomination, Thomas
Sabo, Michael Kors, Olivia Burton and
many more.
The store will be the jewellers third
in the UK and the company will have
over 7,000 sq ft of retail space at St.
Stephen’s.
Paul Rice, managing director of Hugh
Rice, said: “We’re very proud to be
opening a second store in St Stephen’s.
As a family business established over
40 years ago in Hull, we understand
both our customers and the city, and
we’re confident that our new Luxe
by Hugh Rice store will provide a
wonderful environment for both our
existing customers and for those who
haven’t shopped with us before.”
Ben Grose, head of national leasing,
British Land, added: “Hugh Rice is
a stellar brand and we’re delighted
that St. Stephen’s has proved such a
successful location for them. Hugh
Rice’s strong performance shows
the role physical stores play in the
consumer journey.”
It is always a privilege
to see amazing watches
such as this one go under
the hammer .
Laura Bishop, watch manager,
Fellows Auctioneers
JEWELLERY FOCUS
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