Buying a new luxury watch? Make your way through the world’s latest travel destinations to browse elite watches.
We’ve rounded up a guide to the best new and notable hotels in each region for 2024 – along with the stylish watches you’ll be inspired to buy while you’re there.
Rome
Bulgari may not be the only luxury watch brand to venture into the hospitality business, but it’s likely the OG. Last year, the chain of Bulgari Hotels & Resorts debuted the brand’s first hotel in Rome, near the 1905 flagship on Via dei Condotti.
The 114-room residence is quite opulent, from the three-star Michelin chef Niko Romito’s restaurant to the 16,000-square-foot spa, which takes cues from ancient Roman baths. Set an alarm for 5pm to enjoy trolley-dispensed bubbly at the new champagne bar.
A stroll away, almost close enough to toss a coin into the Trevi Fountain, stands the new one Palazzo Talìa. Designed by film director Luca Guadagnino (“Call Me By Your Name”), the 26-room, 16th-century former college is as dramatic and immersive as its Italian-based silver jewels.
Those ceiling frescoes, leather-bound stair rails and plush runners are just begging visitors to see with their own hands. Don’t miss the mirror-clad bar, whose lighting makes everyone look like a movie star.
Tokyo
The debut of Aman Resorts’ new brand, Janugives travelers another reason to flock to the increasingly popular Japanese capital.
Designed by Jean-Michel Gathy, who is practically Aman’s in-house architect, the hotel’s curved tower in the Azabudai Hills blends together Eastern and Western sensibilities, starting with the modern interpretation of traditional shimenawa decorations at the entrance, through the Italian , French and Cantonese. dining concepts and up to 122 spacious rooms whose bedside light boxes reveal a hint of French bells only when illuminated.
It’s the ultimate Nippon style—addicted to anyone who collects those head-turning Grand Seiko watches.
Paris
Tick, tock, horologophiles! The City of Light is home to some of your favorite watchmakers – Chanel! Cartier! Van Cleef & Arpels! – not to mention some fabulous new ghosts.
At the top of our list this year is Les Lumières Versaillesa meticulously crafted 31-room retreat combining the 17th-century Villacerf and Gramont pavilions, set next to Louis XIV’s glorious gardens and palace.
About an hour from Paris by train, the hotel celebrates the influencers of the Enlightenment: in the Salon, named after Madame Marie-Thérèse Rodet Geoffrin; at Le Bar des Philosophes, whose decor is inspired by the dress of the Sun King’s court; and at La Galerie des Lumières, where pastries are elevated to an art form.
After checking out the watchmakers’ workshops in the city, rush to this paean to the thinkers, writers and explorers of a bygone era. Make time to read in the library filled with first editions—or rejuvenate with a facial in the hotel’s only spa that carries Brad Pitt’s Beau Domaine skincare line.
Geneva
Switzerland is home to many watch manufacturers: Blancpain, Breguet, Hublot, Omega, Panerai, Patek Philippe … the list goes on. So it makes sense that a brand would eventually enter hospitality.
Enter Audemars Piguet’s Hotel des Horlogerswhich shares the Vallée de Joux with the company’s Musée Atelier, just 50 minutes from Geneva.
Next to an icy blue lake and verdant forest, architecture firm BIG built a structure that creeps and crawls through the trees, while architect Pierre Minassian left his hat in the valley of the Jura Mountains to create 50 guest rooms that are at once luxurious submissive.
Symmetry and precision could only come from a precision watchmaker, who chose Michelin three-star chef Emmanuel Renaut to produce the highly seasonal Brasserie Le Gogant. Before a sumptuous meal under the geode chandeliers, stop by the workshop and learn about the 200-year history of Audemars Piguet.
London
It is in this city that Rolex introduced to the world the first self-winding mechanism with a perpetual rotor – otherwise known as the classic Oyster Perpetual.
Almost a century later, the Maybourne hotel group Emory has turned the London hotel scene on its head, offering 61 suites over six floors, each designed by a different high-end interior designer and all in Hyde Park.
Public spaces include the guests-only Emory Rooftop Bar and Surrenne, a private members’ club focusing on longevity, to which hotel guests receive temporary memberships.
Just past Wellington Arch, The Peninsula London was recently opened.
The Hong Kong brand spent 30 years looking for just the right location for its 12th hotel, then $1.3 billion to build this 190-room cocoon, with rooms by Peter Marino. Asiaphiles will delight in that oriental breakfast quintessential of congee and shu mai, as well as dinner at the Canton Blue restaurant.
The 82-meter-long pool, set against sparkling mosaic walls, is worth a dip. It’s a pleasant walk to Rolex’s UK head office – or take a ride in the hotel’s restored Bentleys and Rolls-Royces. How British veddy.
Buy the watches
Bulgaria Bulgari Watch in 18k Rose Gold, $13,200 Watch in 18k Rose Gold, $13,200 at London Jewelers
Van Cleef & Arpels Poetic Complications Midnight in Paris watch in 18k rose gold with aventurine, meteorite and quartz, $83,000 at London Jewelers
Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch Professional in 18k Moonshine Gold, $42,600 at London Jewelers
Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Mini Frosted Gold Quartz Watch in 18k Yellow Gold, $34,400 at London Jewelers
Grand Seiko Evolution 9 Spring Drive 5 Days watch in titanium, $10,400 at London Jewelers
Rolex Oyster Perpetual Sky-Dweller watch in 18k Everose gold, $54,000 at London Jewelers
All at London Jewelers, 1988 Northern Blvd., Manhasset, LI
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Image Source : nypost.com