Editor’s Note
This article highlights a significant luxury watch exhibition in Seoul, featuring high-value timepieces from prestigious international brands. The event underscores the continued consumer interest in luxury goods within key Asian markets.
Hyundai Department Store is hosting a collection of renowned overseas watch brands worth approximately 50 billion won at its Trade Center Store and Apgujeong Main Store.
The company announced on the 5th that it will simultaneously hold the ‘Luxury Watch Fair’ for ten days at the Trade Center Store (7th-18th) and the Apgujeong Main Store (8th-18th).
A total of 13 brands, including Audemars Piguet, Jaeger-LeCoultre, Piaget, and Blancpain, will participate at the Trade Center Store, while 14 brands, including Vacheron Constantin, Breguet, Roger Dubuis, and Panerai, will participate at the Apgujeong Main Store.
The company explained that the event will showcase a total of about 400 items, including products exhibited at the Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie (SIHH) and Baselworld held in January and March this year, which amounts to roughly 50 billion won in sales value.
A notable feature is that about 80 items from 13 brands, including Vacheron Constantin, Jaeger-LeCoultre, and Panerai, are being introduced to the general public in South Korea for the first time.
Among the watches introduced at this event, the most expensive is Jaeger-LeCoultre’s ‘Rendez-Vous Tourbillon Haute Joaillerie’, priced at approximately 490 million won. It features a total of 547 diamonds set on the watch’s interior and bezel. The diamonds used in this single watch alone amount to a total of 9 carats.
Additionally, at the 6 o’clock position, it contains a tourbillon embodying Jaeger-LeCoultre’s unique expertise. A tourbillon is a device developed to correct time errors caused by the influence of gravity on mechanical watch components and is considered a benchmark component for top-tier watches.
Vacheron Constantin’s ‘Harmony Dual Time’ is a watch produced to commemorate the brand’s 260th anniversary, with a limited production of only 625 pieces worldwide. It was first unveiled at the Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie in January and is being introduced in South Korea for the first time.
This watch features an automatic mechanical movement (power device) that includes a ‘dual time’ function allowing simultaneous checking of time in two different locations. It is characterized by the ability to easily adjust all functions with a single crown (the protruding time adjustment device on the side of the watch) that moves bidirectionally. The case surrounding the watch is made of 18K pink gold, adding to its luxury. The price is in the 50 million won range.
Breguet’s ‘Tradition Independent Chronograph 7077 Timepiece’ is one of Breguet’s representative products. Re-examined for its 10th anniversary of release this year, it was presented at ‘Baselworld 2015′. A key feature is that the chronograph function (a device that winds the mainspring through vibrations applied to the watch, generating power) is handled by two separate trains, preventing interference between components that cause time errors in advance. The price is in the 90 million won range.
Furthermore, the Apgujeong Main Store plans to introduce Roger Dubuis’ ‘Hommage Flying Tourbillon’, IWC’s ‘Portuguese Tourbillon Mystère Rétrograde’, Piaget’s ‘Tradition Gold Bracelet’, etc., for the first time in South Korea. The Trade Center Store will introduce Piaget’s ‘Altiplano 900P Haute Joaillerie’, Breitling’s ‘Bentley B05 Unitime’, Blancpain’s ‘Le Brassus Répétition Minutes Carrousel’, etc., for the first time domestically.
Hyundai Department Store has prepared promotions for purchasers during the event period, including gift certificates by price range and brand-specific gifts. From July, the same event is scheduled to be held at Hyundai Department Store’s Daegu, Mokdong, and Ulsan branches.
