tony p
567
JLC Goes Large in Shanghai - Part 2: The New Boutique at Plaza 66
Although its doors were actually first opened in late December, the Grand Opening Party for JLC's glamorous new boutique in the Watch and Jewellery Concourse at Plaza 66 was not held until a fortnight ago, on 8 January - just the day before I arrived back in Shanghai from my Xmas holiday back with the "fam" in Australia.
That date again: 08.01.08. For the numerologists, 8 + 1 + 8=17, 1 + 7=8. Nice one, organisers! Yep, "This Is China."
With a prime position at the foot of the "down" escalator, JLC's new boutique nestles in between those of Chopard and Panerai (the latter yet to relocate from its present spot on the ground floor of the complex). The customer is greeted by warm wooden tones, contrasting subtly with grey slate walls and ochre glass tiles:
This inviting wood-and-stone theme flows through to the boutique's interiors:
But lest the staff start feeling too relaxed amidst all this plushness, remember: Big Brother is watching YOU!
Now to the pieces. Naturally I couldn't photograph everything (hey, I'm sure they would've called the cops if I'd tried!), so I picked out some of the most interesting objets for your Puristic delectation.
A blinged-up Master Minute Repeater in rose gold:
Same treatment for a Master Tourbillon, this time with a splendidly colourful mother-of-pearl dial:
An ultra-limited Master Compressor Extreme-W Alarm Some-Fast-Bloke:
A trio of Atmos clocks:
Another trio, this time of the new and very attractive ladies' Master Twinkling Diamonds:
Again for the ladies, a pair of heavily-encrusted Reversos:
Never mind that one of them looks more like a handbag than a watch, and the other appears to have contracted a very nasty skin disease - these sparklers will doubtless walk out the door. Watches like these are tailor-made for the client whose opening gambit is "Show me your most expensive watch". And believe me, socialism with, er, "Chinese characteristics" has created plenty of them.
Well, dear reader, I think I've teased you for long enough. It's time at last to see the Watch of the Moment, the JLC that's been on everyone's wish list since SIHH, the timepiece that re-establishes (for the umpteenth time) JLC's pre-eminence as leader and master innovator in the field of watch movement design: the magnificent Duomètre à Chronographe.
But for that, you need to proceed to Part 3.
Cheers
Tony P
JLC Goes Large in Shanghai Part I: The Manufacturer Comes to You - CLICK HERE
JLC Goes Large in Shanghai Part III: The Mighty Duomètre à Chronographe - CLICK HERE
added links to Part I & III
This message has been edited by AnthonyTsai on 2008-01-21 20:08:31
