Business

Business

Mehmet Koruturk on Vanguart

Engineering luxury for the next generation of collectors

According to Merriam-Webster, to be “on the vanguard” means to be at the forefront of a movement or development. Vanguart, a luxury watch brand emerging from the Swiss valleys, embodies this perfectly. From inception, it has focused on pioneering horology and harnessing the diverse skill sets of its founders. Formed in 2017 by Axel Leuenberger (CEO), Mehmet Koruturk (Chairman), Thierry Fischer (Creative Director), and Jeremy Freléchox (CTO), Vanguart combines elite watchmaking, in-house prototyping and design, and deep links to technology and finance. Its name fuses “avant-garde” and “art”, mirroring the founders’ vision. Within the watch world, Leuenberger and Freléchox are veterans of Audemars Piguet Renaud et Papi (APRP), while Freléchox also spent six years at Girard-Perregaux. Fischer previously designed watches for Audemars Piguet, Jacob & Co., and Harry Winston. Korutürk met Leuenberger and Freléchox while overseeing a collaboration between HYT and Guns N’ Roses frontman Axl Rose. He quickly saw they wanted to establish a brand to control their creative direction, but they needed backing and business structure. After a year of discussions, all four left their roles to launch Vanguart. Initial fundraising was challenging....

Business

Fame and Fortune

The celebrity effect on the value of watches

From Novak Djokovic and Hublot to Leo di Caprio and Rolex or Zendaya and Bulgari, luxury timepieces have long been part of the star-studded spotlight. But just how much does a celebrity association actually boost the value of a watch? That’s the million-dollar question – or in some cases, much more. In the absence of hard […]

Business

Richard Benc – The Underd0g

Breaking all the rules

After witnessing the long queues to the Studio Underd0g stand snaking around the London venue for British Watchmakers’ Day back in March, our Editor-in-Chief Julia Pasarón couldn’t resist finding out more about the man causing the disruption: Richard Benc. Richard ended up in watchmaking more out of chance than passion. With a degree in product design, […]

Business, Lifestyle, luxury shopping

Harrods’ 175th anniversary

The world’s most famous luxury department store celebrates 175 years of retail magic

Arguably the most famous luxury department store in the world, Harrods is marking its 175th anniversary with all manner of exciting celebrations and special-edition products. From its iconic teddy bears to its renowned Festival of Lights, there are many highlights in store for customers throughout the year. Embodying the very essence of luxury, tradition and […]

Business

Audrey Raffy

The beautiful mind driving Bovet into the future

The vice president of Bovet, Audrey Raffy, is most definitely a rising star in the watch industry. Her cosmopolitan background, natural intelligence and exceptional qualifications are the tools with which she is taking the company into the future, navigating one of the most competitive sectors in luxury. Audrey has Lebanese roots, was born in France, […]

Business

Sabine Roemer

The making of a master

In a studio-workshop at the bottom of her west London garden is a white jeweller’s workbench that was built for Sabine Roemer by her uncle Werner when she was 15 years old and deeply committed to becoming a jeweller. At this bench, she has created framed animal artworks for Nelson Mandela, the Prince of Wales […]

Business

Seb Inglis-Jones

Taking Britain for a ride

After meeting at university and becoming best mates, Seb Inglis-Jones and William Stirrup swore that one day they’d run a business together. In 2018, they made good on their promise and became the proud names behind one of the finest examples of British manufacturing: Maeving motorcycles. I meet Inglis-Jones as he drops Maeving’s very first […]

Business

The business of luxury travel

Chitra Stern, co-founder, Martinhal Group

Chitra Stern possesses that calm charisma often seen in experienced business leaders. Proud but modest, she plays down the enormity of what she and her husband, Roman, have achieved since they undertook their first real-estate project and hotel in Ireland. “The hotel belonged to my husband’s family,” she explains. “It was a beautiful property that […]

Business

ANDREA SCHERZ

Leading leaders

Andrea Scherz comes from a long line of hoteliers. His grandfather took over Gstaad Palace, which, under Andrea’s leadership, is thriving. His talent and ability were first recognised by the industry when he was elected to the board of Swiss Deluxe Hotels. And in January 2022 he was appointed Chairman of the Executive Committee of […]

Business

Brave New World

Bugatti explores the principles at the heart of luxury

Bugatti’s first Luxury Summit, held at Château Saint Jean in Molsheim (once home to Ettore Bugatti himself) on the 14th of June, was designed to explore trends in luxury – present and future. Guest speakers included experts and CEOs of leading luxury brands, and the compere and host were Rebecca Robins, author of Meta-luxury: Brands […]

Business, Philanthropy

The Future is Bold

The Veuve Clicquot Bold Woman Awards turn 50

Founded in 1972, the Bold Woman Awards are named after Madame Clicquot, the pioneering businesswoman who, when widowed at the age of 27, took over her husband’s champagne business in 1805 and transformed it into a global brand. This annual event celebrates women who have made significant contributions to their communities, industries, and the world […]

Business

Liquid Assets

A conversation with Mark Bingley MW

Glass of preferred libation in hand, Master of Wine Mark Bingley, director and founding member of MMD (Maisons Marques et Domaines, established 1986), sat back in his chair and with a small sigh reminisced that, “The world of wine has changed in both form and global reach.” Wine as a collectable has proven to be […]