WatchesAug 23, 2023
Bulova’s New Frank Lloyd Wright Watch Celebrates a Tokyo Hotel WatchesDec 12, 2023
Citizen’s First Multi-Brand Store in North America Is Now Open
It comes at a seemingly perfect time for the company, as watches are “hot” right now, says Citizen Watch America President Jeffrey Cohen.
On Dec. 6, Citizen celebrated the opening of its new flagship store on Fifth Avenue in New York. It is the company’s first multi-brand store in the North America, carrying Citizen on the first floor (seen here), as well as watches from Accutron, Alpina, Bulova, and Frederique Constant on the second floor.
New York—Citizen opened its new flagship store in New York City last week, right on time for the holiday season.
Officially opened Dec. 6, it is Citizen’s first multi-brand store in North America. It carries watches from all five brands the company sells in the region: Citizen, Accutron, Alpina, Bulova, and Frederique Constant.
The store is on Fifth Avenue between 48th and 49th streets, one of the most heavily trafficked areas of New York, particularly during this time of year. The tree at Rockefeller Center, arguably the city’s biggest holiday-time draw, is a two-minute walk away, while Saks Fifth Avenue and its famed holiday light display are on the next block.
In an interview with National Jeweler just prior to the store’s grand opening celebration, Citizen Watch America President Jeffrey Cohen said they view the store as a way to educate people and give them an experience with Citizen’s brands they will not have anywhere else, at least in North America.
“I felt it was something that was missing [in this market],” he said. “We’re very excited about this store. This will be the greatest opportunity for us [to share] our history, and to present products as we want to present them.”
Related stories will be right here …
Officially opened Dec. 6, it is Citizen’s first multi-brand store in North America. It carries watches from all five brands the company sells in the region: Citizen, Accutron, Alpina, Bulova, and Frederique Constant.
The store is on Fifth Avenue between 48th and 49th streets, one of the most heavily trafficked areas of New York, particularly during this time of year. The tree at Rockefeller Center, arguably the city’s biggest holiday-time draw, is a two-minute walk away, while Saks Fifth Avenue and its famed holiday light display are on the next block.
In an interview with National Jeweler just prior to the store’s grand opening celebration, Citizen Watch America President Jeffrey Cohen said they view the store as a way to educate people and give them an experience with Citizen’s brands they will not have anywhere else, at least in North America.
“I felt it was something that was missing [in this market],” he said. “We’re very excited about this store. This will be the greatest opportunity for us [to share] our history, and to present products as we want to present them.”
Spread out over more than 7,000 square feet, Citizen’s North American flagship occupies three floors of a townhouse situated along a stretch of some of the most recognizable names in retail, including H&M, Lululemon, and Sephora.
The first floor is all Citizen watches, while the second floor houses Accutron, Bulova, Alpina, and Frederique Constant.
The store’s mezzanine level will look familiar to anyone who visited Citizen’s booth during the last couple years of the now-defunct Baselworld show.
It is the new home for Paris-based Japanese architect Tsuyoshi Tane’s “Light Is Time” installation featuring thousands of golden, glittering, Citizen-manufactured watch base plates suspended from invisible strings.
Among those at the grand opening of the Citizen multi-brand store were, from left, Citizen Watch America President Jeffrey Cohen, musician and Bulova brand ambassador Marc Anthony, and Citizen executives Yoshitaka Ohji and Hiroshi Utsunomiya. (Photo credit: Rupert Ramsay, BFA.com)
A closeup of architect Tsuyoshi Tane’s “Light Is Time” installation on the flagship’s mezzanine floor. The gold discs are watch base plates manufactured by Citizen.
The store’s second story features areas for Alpina and Frederique Constant, pictured here, as well as Accutron and Bulova.
The Bulova section of the store includes watches from the brand’s new “Rat Pack” collection as well as timepieces designed in partnership with Anthony.
Citizen will use the mezzanine level to tell different stories, rotating out the displays on regular basis. From now through Jan. 1, it’s an exhibition on the career of Grammy-winning musician and Bulova ambassador Marc Anthony, who attended the grand opening.
While opening a big brick-and-mortar store that sells watches in an age of online competition and other technology may seem like a questionable move, it’s not, according to Cohen.
Watches are having a moment, fueled by myriad factors—the growth in watch-collecting communities, men’s heightened interest in accessories, Gen Z’s interest in brands with a history and heritage, and smartwatches.
Initially viewed as competition, particularly for the more affordably priced watch brands, Cohen said smartwatches actually have aided the traditional watch industry because “they’ve brought more attention to the wrist.”
Cohen said Citizen uses data to make decisions on watch styles, prices, and materials.
What the data shows is that consumers today want watches that are more exclusive, much in the same way they want customized or personalized jewelry.
They are in search of something that expresses some aspect of their personality, experiences and/or preferences or, as Cohen put it, a “point of differentiation.”
Consumers also want watches that are more complicated and more high-end.
There are collectors of the brand’s more complicated watches, as well as collecting communities for its Disney watches and the timepieces created for the “Marvel” and “Star Wars” franchises. (Citizen signed a partnership with Disney in 2018, the year the watch company turned 100.)
To that end, Citizen has reserved the top floor of its three-floor townhouse as a museum for its brands, as well as an event space for educational events or gatherings for collectors.
“Watches are hot right now,” Cohen said. “We’re seeing a lot of collectors, a lot of watch communities.”
More on Watches
The Latest
IndependentsMay 10, 2024
Frank Adams Jewelers Names New CEOKimberly Adams Russell is taking over the role from her father, David Adams, marking the third generation to hold the title.
CollectionsMay 10, 2024
Piece of the Week: Carina Hardy’s ‘Birth of Venus’ NecklaceAs a token of womanhood, this necklace depicts when Venus was born from the sea.
MajorsMay 09, 2024
Watches of Switzerland Pays $130M for Roberto Coin Inc.The deal gives the retailer control over the distribution of Roberto Coin jewelry in the U.S., Canada, Caribbean, and Central America.
Brought to you by
From Registration to Return: 10 Tips to Protect You Before, During and After a TradeshowTradeshow risks are real. Get tips to protect yourself before, during and after and gain safety and security awareness for your business.
TrendsMay 09, 2024
Amanda’s Style File: Shine Bright, Moms Show your mother some love with a piece of fine jewelry.
Weekly QuizMay 09, 2024
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these seven questions.
IndependentsMay 09, 2024
Kyle Edward Fine Jewelry to Close Salisbury StoreThe company’s Easton location will remain open.
MajorsMay 09, 2024
JBT Elects New ChairmanBrian D. Fleming of Carla Corporation was elected to serve a one-year term in the role.
Brought to you by
Rio’s Reimagined Podcast: For the Love of JewelersMeet Ben Claus—grand prize winner of For the Love of Jewelers 2023 Fall Design Challenge.
Supplier BulletinMay 08, 2024
Fusing Past and Present at the Las Vegas Antique Jewelry & Watch ShowSponsored by the Las Vegas Antique Jewelry and Watch Show
EditorsMay 07, 2024
Q&A: Author Vikki Tobak on the ‘Ice-Cold’ ExhibitionTobak, author of “Ice Cold: A Hip-Hop Jewelry History,” shares how the exhibition came to be, and the pieces people may be surprised to see.
EditorsMay 07, 2024
10 On-Theme Looks from the 2024 Met GalaStars adorned themselves in emeralds, platinum, and myriad bird motifs, writes Associate Editor Natalie Francisco.
IndependentsMay 07, 2024
112-Year-Old New Orleans Business Popping Up in Aspen M.S. Rau is set to open a seasonal gallery in the high-end resort town early next month.
MajorsMay 07, 2024
Richemont Acquires Italian Jeweler VhernierThe branded jewelry market is thriving, said Richemont Chairman Johann Rupert.
CollectionsMay 07, 2024
These ‘Luminaries’ Are Set to Light Up CoutureThe six designers, all participants in the show’s Diversity Action Council mentorship program, will exhibit in Salon 634.
AuctionsMay 07, 2024
Sotheby’s to Auction Sylvester Stallone’s WatchesThe highlight of his collection is the coveted Patek Philippe Grandmaster Chime, which could sell for up to $5 million.
CollectionsMay 07, 2024
Phillip Gavriel Pays Tribute to Venice With New CollectionThe “Venetian Link” series modernizes the classic Veneziana box chain in its bracelets and necklaces.
Events & AwardsMay 07, 2024
JA Now Accepting Applications for New Bench Jeweler ScholarshipThe Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship will provide tuition assistance to two low-income students.
Policies & IssuesMay 06, 2024
Rolex Files Objection to Hallmark’s New Trademark ApplicationThe Swiss watchmaker said the company’s plans to use a new version of the Hallmark crown on jewelry would confuse consumers.
EditorsMay 06, 2024
Q&A: 8 Questions With Anglo American’s Benny Oeyen The executive talked about the importance of self-purchasers and how fuel cell electric vehicles are going to fuel demand for platinum.
MajorsMay 06, 2024
Malabar Gold & Diamonds Opens 4th U.S. ShowroomThe Indian jeweler’s new store in Naperville, Illinois marks its 350th location, part of its ongoing global expansion plans.
Events & AwardsMay 06, 2024
Ben Bridge Jeweler Accepting Applications for Lonia Tate ScholarshipIt will award a graduating high school student with about $10,000 toward a GIA diploma and an internship with the Seattle-based jeweler.
CrimeMay 03, 2024
Second Suspect Arrested in Murder of Colorado JewelerWheat Ridge, Colorado police took a 50-year-old man into custody Wednesday following a two-month search.
CollectionsMay 03, 2024
A Sneak Peek Into PGI’s Couture Platinum Spotlight ProgramPGI partnered with four new and seven returning designers for its annual platinum capsule collection.
MajorsMay 03, 2024
Kristie Nicolosi Joins WJA Board AgainNicolosi, president and CEO of The Kingswood Company, previously sat on WJA’s board from 2011 to 2018.
CollectionsMay 03, 2024
Piece of the Week: A “Bit of LUV” for the DerbyKarina Brez’s race-ready piece is a sophisticated nod to the horse-rider relationship.
CrimeMay 02, 2024
4 Indicted in Burglary Ring Targeting Indian, South Asian FamiliesThe men are allegedly responsible for stealing millions in jewelry and other valuables in 43 burglaries in 25 towns across Massachusetts.
CollectionsMay 02, 2024
Foundrae Launches ‘Horizon’ Collection“Horizon” invites individuals to explore the limitless possibilities that lie ahead, said the brand.
