The 23-carat fancy vivid blue diamond, set to headline Christie’s May jewelry auction, was expected to sell for as much as $50 million.
Watches of Switzerland Opens US Flagship
The experience-focused retail concept in New York City marks a larger push into the American market.

Located in New York City’s SoHo neighborhood in downtown Manhattan, a top shopping area, the new 8,000-square-foot boutique at 60 Greene St. carries brands like Patek Philippe, Rolex, Omega, Cartier and other luxury watch labels.
Opened this week, the store is part of the Watches of Switzerland Group’s push into the U.S.
The company, formerly known as Aurum Holdings, is the U.K.’s largest seller of the aforementioned watch brands, as well as TAG Heuer and Breitling. It also operates U.K. jewelers Goldsmiths and Mappin & Webb, the latter of which is goldsmith and silversmith to Queen Elizabeth II.
Last year, the company acquired U.S. retail chain Mayors Jewelers from Birks Group and set up its first U.S. Watches of Switzerland store at the Wynn Las Vegas, which moved this week to the Wynn Esplanade.
The New York City flagship is designed to be—that most popular of today’s retail buzzwords—experiential.
The two-story space features a bar created in partnership with famed New York City cocktail lounge Death & Co., where drinks crafted specifically for the space will be served by Death & Co. bartenders.
Esquire magazine Fashion Director Nick Sullivan has curated a library and bookshop for the store, features tomes not only on luxury watches, but also on automobiles and yachts.
The location also will serve as an art gallery, hosting a rotating exhibition of contemporary photography curated by nonprofit Aperture, with all works for sale.
Rounding out the multilayered retail approach will be special timepiece pop-ups, held every few months and showcasing emerging brands. Vintage watch dealers Analog/Shift will also present an ongoing selection of rare and special vintage pieces.
Brian Duffy, CEO of Watches of Switzerland Group, noted in a statement from the company, “Our Watches of Switzerland SoHo flagship is a special achievement for us on many levels. From our choice of location, to the design and architectural detailing in the store, to our exceptional products, partners and the talented team we’ve assembled—all come together to make this an experience unlike any other in the watch industry today.”
Watches of Switzerland doesn’t plan to slow down its stateside expansion. In March 2019 it will open a store in Manhattan’s Hudson Yards highly-anticipated shopping development and the company also said it will set up shop at New Jersey’s to-be-completed American Dream shopping complex.
The Latest

G.B. Heron Jewelers in Salisbury, Maryland, is set to close as its owner, Jeff Cassels, retires.

Emmanuel Raheb outlines the differences between the two platforms and posits that the most successful jewelers use both.

Supplier Spotlight Sponsored by GIA

The miner said its April sale featured a mix of commercial-quality primary rubies and secondary rubies of varying quality.


U.S. customs agents in El Paso, Texas, intercepted the package, which would have been worth $9 million if the jewelry was genuine.

Health monitors become statement pieces when paired with the brand’s new collection of stackable diamond-studded bands.

Six new retail businesses were selected for the 2025 program, which began in January.

Ten organizations were selected this year.

Kim Carpenter and Sam Gevisenheit have joined the brand.

“Shell Auranova” is the next generation of the brand’s bridal line, featuring half-bezel engagement rings with bold and fluid designs.

Boucheron and Pomellato performed well in an otherwise bleak quarter for Kering amid struggles at Gucci.

Designer Deborah Meyers created her birds from oxidized sterling silver, rose-cut diamond eyes, and Akoya Keshi pearl feathers.

The company said it expects sightholders to remain “cautious” with their purchasing due to all the unknowns around the U.S. tariffs.

Sponsored by the Gemological Institute of America

Simon Wolf shares why the time was right to open a new office here, what he looks for in a retail partner, and why he loves U.S. consumers.

A third-generation jeweler, Ginsberg worked at his family’s store, Ginsberg Jewelers, from 1948 until his retirement in 2019.

The company failed to file its quarterly reports in a timely manner.

The organization also announced its board of directors.

Charms may be tiny but with their small size comes endless layering possibilities, from bracelets to necklaces and earrings.

Located in Valenza, the now 355,000-square-foot facility includes a new jewelry school that’s open to the public, Scuola Bulgari.

Paola Sasplugas, co-founder of the Barcelona-based jewelry brand, received the Fine Jewelry Award.

A platinum Zenith-powered Daytona commissioned in the late ‘90s will headline Sotheby’s Important Watches sale in Geneva next month.

The basketball stars wear men’s jewelry from the “Curb Chain” collection.

The Signet Jewelers-owned retailer wants to encourage younger shoppers to wear fine jewelry every day, not just on special occasions.

The 21 pieces, all from a private collector, will be offered at its Magnificent Jewels auction next month.

Lilian Raji answers a question from a reader who is looking to grow her jewelry business but has a limited marketing budget.