News Nestling in the heart of the old town of Geneva, the first own-name store of the House of Delaneau has just opened its doors at number 10 quai du Général-Guisan, in the immediate vicinity of the prestigious rue du Rhône.
Prestige watchmaking as conceived by DeLaneau is the purest distillation of tailor-made authenticity. Watches created by the firm are as unique as the DNA of the women who wear them. They bear only one inscription, the number 1. Each piece, part of a family based on a shape or a movement, has its own distinctive features. For example, not one model in the Invisibles, Magnolias or Angel Heart collections has a perfect twin. What all these timepieces do have in common however is the embodiment of exceptional know-how in fields such as enamelling, precious-stone setting and mechanical watchmaking.
The art of presenting and distributing DeLaneau watches is closely attuned to the brand’s philosophy. The true value of a unique timepiece can only be conveyed properly by an exclusive, dedicated environment. Following the example of haute couture, DeLaneau therefore welcomes clients to a store where the atmosphere resembles that of a private lounge.
The architectural and aesthetic tone is set as soon as the visitor sets foot in the 180 m2 store. The mood and decor of both floors are inspired by Art Deco, echoing the personality of DeLaneau watch collections. The contrast between black and off-white is omnipresent. Armchairs provide an elegant juxtaposition, adding a touch of red and fuchsia-pink emblematic of the period.
The Tavel stone and quartzite floor depicts large cream and anthracite diamonds, matching the square eggshell caissons of the ceiling. Imposing dark wenge wood panels decorate the Venetian plaster walls. Generous Macassar ebony and black marble furnishings carry the theme further, as do the coffee table and console table with their black granite surfaces. Two stylised bulls in Belgian absolute black marble support a wall unit embellished by a decorative mirror.
The window displays are the work of a Parisian stylist who will regularly update them throughout the year, in step with events and seasons. The first spring presentation shows a dreamlike world where mammals, birds and insects are seated in luxurious swing-chairs. This fairyland creates an animated world that is half-way between Lewis Carroll and a natural history museum, showing off the brand’s colourful timepieces to superb effect.
Founded in 1949, the company DeLaneau Watches is run by Cristina Thévenaz-Wendt, who is also its Artistic Director. Manufacturing only unique pieces for women, she intends to build on the firm’s current success and quickly develop her own network of stores, firstly in Moscow and later in New York. Added to this will be «in-store shops” in a selection of luxury outlets, as well as dedicated corners on the premises of specialist retailers.
June 16, 2010
