Set in a Tiffany & Co. necklace, it sold for $4.2 million, the highest price and price per carat paid for a Paraíba tourmaline at auction.
Watches of Switzerland Sets Sights On Expansion
The company will be opening mono-brand TAG Heuer, Breitling and Omega boutiques in five states.

The company announced last week it will open eight mono-brand boutiques in partnership with Breitling, LVMH-owned TAG Heuer, and Swatch Group-owned Omega across five key U.S. markets.
The new stores are slated to open in: Roosevelt Field mall in Garden City, New York (TAG Heuer and Omega), the King of Prussia mall in Pennsylvania (TAG Heuer and Breitling), The Gardens mall in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida (TAG Heuer and Omega), the Valley Fair mall in San Jose, California (Breitling), and The Mall at Green Hills in Nashville, Tennessee (Breitling).
The two Omega stores will open before the end of the year. The three new Breitling boutiques are also set to open in 2020, and more may be on the way, Breitling CEO Georges Kern indicated.
“We look forward to expanding our partnerships with the Watches of Switzerland Group in 2021 and introducing Breitling to even more major metropolitan areas in the United States,” Kern said in a press release.
The three TAG Heuer stores will be the brand’s first franchise boutiques in the United States. They will open in time for the holidays, between late November and early December, the watch brand said.
“This milestone expansion is a testament to our relationship with the Watches of Switzerland Group, a partner we celebrate 11 franchise boutiques with in the United Kingdom, and three that will now help strengthen our presence and client experience in key locations in North America, our strongest region worldwide,” Frédéric Arnault, CEO of TAG Heuer, said in a press release.
Watches of Switzerland did its homework before choosing the locations, researching each mall to determine the average sales per square foot and the local consumer profile.
The spots were chosen based on their adjacency to other luxury stores, regional demographics, and the current distribution of the brand.
Watches of Switzerland entered the U.S. watch retail market two years ago, opening its first U.S. flagship in New York City’s SoHo neighborhood.
It also has stores in Las Vegas, Boston, Miami and Atlanta.
The last two years have shown the company’s ability to succeed in the North American market, said David Hurley, executive vice president of Watches of Switzerland Group USA.
“Since its acquisition of Mayors in 2017, followed quickly by the opening of Watches of Switzerland SoHo, the Group has shown its acute command of the U.S. market and deep understanding of its discerning and diverse clients,” Hurley said.
The company ranks No. 27 on National Jeweler’s 2020 list of $100 Million Supersellers, with an estimated $234 million in sales in its most recent fiscal year.
The Latest

Take luxury gifting to new heights this holiday season with the jeweler’s showstopping 12-carat sphene ring.

This year's theme is “Unveiling the Depths of the Ocean.”

How Jewelers of America’s 20 Under 40 are leading to ensure a brighter future for the jewelry industry.

In its annual report, Pinterest noted an increase in searches for brooches, heirloom jewelry, and ‘80s luxury.


Starting Jan. 1, customers can request the service for opal, peridot, and demantoid garnet.

The 111-year-old retailer celebrated the opening of its new location in Salem, New Hampshire, which is its third store in the state.

Roseco’s 704-page catalog showcases new lab-grown diamonds, findings, tools & more—available in print or interactive digital editions.

The filmmaker’s personal F.P. Journe “FFC” prototype was the star of Phillips’ recent record-setting watch auction in New York.

The new location in the Design District pays homage to Miami’s Art Deco heritage and its connection to the ocean.

Inflations, tariffs, and politics—including the government shutdown—were among consumers’ top concerns last month.

“Longtime favorite” presenters, as well as first-time speakers, will lead talks and workshops at the annual event in Tucson next year.

Silas Smith of Meridian Metalworks won the challenge with his pendant that blends Australian and American landscapes.

The sale of the 31.68-carat, sunset-hued stone was part of Sotheby’s first series of events and auctions in Abu Dhabi.

Most customers who walk into your store this month have made up their minds. Your job is to validate their choice, Emmanuel Raheb writes.

The collection features characters and motifs from Ukrainian folklore, including an enchanted mirror and a magic egg.

MatrixGold 3.11, the newest version of the jewelry design program, offers more flexibility, precision, and creative control.

The pavilion will be part of the 2026 JA New York Spring show, scheduled for March 15 to 17.

Kadet, a 1994 National Jeweler Retailer Hall of Fame inductee, helped grow the family-owned retailer in the Chicago area and beyond.

Billed as the world’s smallest wearable, Lumia Health’s new smart earrings have a health tracker subtly embedded in the back.

Don’t let those with December birthdays feel blue. Help them celebrate their month with blue zircon, turquoise, and tanzanite.

The new pink sapphire version of the piece dances with its wearer in the brand’s “Icons After Dark” holiday campaign.

A choice that’s generated a lot of commentary, Pantone says “Cloud Dancer” marks a fresh start and encourages relaxation and creativity.

The manufacturer’s holiday campaign features a gift guide filled with trending designs and jewelry that can be personalized.

The man was charged with theft, accused of ingesting the necklace while in a jewelry store in Auckland, New Zealand.

The Florida independent expanded its store from 8,000 to 14,000 square feet, fulfilling the vision of its late co-founder, Jim Dunn.

Sponsored by De Beers Group




















