Princes Street store to be sole stockist of luxury watches

Turn back the hands of time of prestigious Swiss watch brands and find fans in notable historic figures Napoleon, Churchill and Queen Victoria.

How the new shop will look

And a new £8 million jeweller in Princes Street has exclusive rights to stock these now global brands which include Breguet, Blancpain and Vacheron Constantin – a favourite of Russian president Vladmir Putin.

The jeweller and diamond specialist Chisholm Hunter, founded in Glasgow, will open in the 10,000 sq m retail space at the foot of Frederick Street, formerly occupied by fashion outlet USC, in early December.

The 18th-century Swiss watchmakers, which can’t be purchased from any other Scottish stockist, have spanned the fashions of the centuries.

Breguet was given a superhero welcome into the 21st century by Bruce Wayne in the 2016 blockbuster Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice.

Ben Affleck donned a £132,000 Breguet Tradition Fusee Tourbillon during his capers in Gotham City.

Also rating Swiss manufacturing was 1950s screen siren Marilyn Monroe whose original Blancpain timepiece recently sold at auction for £180,000. And the most expensive from the watchmaker is a gem-laden Tourbillion selling for just shy of a million dollars.

Actor Alexander Skarsgard and hip hop star Jay-Z have also been seen sporting Vacheron Constantin creations.

Watches from the exclusive Swiss collections, currently available online, range from £6640 to £28,900.

Joining high-end jewellers ROX Edinburgh in creating a luxury environment for shoppers, the premium jewellery outlet extending over three floors, will use Edinburgh Castle as a backdrop for their unique champagne bar.

Harry Brown, Chisholm Hunter CEO, said: “Our customers are looking for a luxury, personalised shopping experience, with help from members of staff who are experts in their fields – and Princes Street will provide just that with its Bond Street feel.

“The opening of our flagship store is a significant moment for Chisholm Hunter and the Princes Street boutique will be the centrepiece of our portfolio.

“We put the customer at the heart of our business and we invest and grow our stores in response to demand.

“We’re looking forward to continuing to grow and strengthen our business between now and the end of 2017.”

Along with its luxury watches, the new store will sell premium diamond jewellery and Bremont, Montblanc, Gucci watches.The jeweller, headed by gemmologist Harry Brown, has been named Multiple Jewellery Retailer of the Year and was also included in the London Stock Exchange 1000 Companies to Inspire Britain List.