2 posts tagged Globetrotters

With the opening of the IWC Flagship Boutique in New York City last month, we at IWC wanted to be a part of the city: to learn about the community, its neighborhoods, and inhabitants. To get the insider’s view, we partnered with local Globetrotters: IWC men, who seek out the world’s most unique experiences and attractions. Before the boutique (our largest worldwide) even opened, we asked these Globetrotters about their favorite parts of the city, where they liked to go, and where they found inspiration.

The exterior of the NYC Flagship boutique

Their responses definitely provided a journey through the city, now housed proudly on iwc.com in a dedicated page called MY NEW YORK. Evan Orensten of Cool Hunting suggested we try burgers at Shake Shack.  We looked at the handmade razors at Min Apothecary after Hodinkee’s Ben Clymer recommendation. And we checked out some new specs with Warby Parker founder Neil Blumenthal. But one thing we know is that the IWC man never rests, and so that was only the beginning.

NYC Globetrotters Josh Spear, Evan Orensten, Neil Blumenthal

On June 13 our NYC Globetrotters and honored guests converged on the Madison Avenue boutique for an evening of conversation, story swapping, and more. Displayed in the store’s second floor was a visual tribute to the great boxer Muhammad Ali. Photos taken by his friend (and personal photographer) Howard Bingham were on display for the Globetrotters and guests to see. They showed an intimate portrait of a true sporting legend.

<!—[if !supportEmptyParas]—>Kevin Ryan (Gilt Groupe CEO) and Ben Clymer of Hodinkee, at the event

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IWC Big Pilot’s Watch Top Gun Miramar Timepieces on display in the NYC Flagship

Just as Muhammad Ali’s passion was boxing, and Howard Bingham’s was photography, we enjoy learning about the passions of IWC customers and fans around the world, and about how they feel about the Big Apple. As Surface Magazine Editor-In-Chief (and NYC Globetrotter) Dan Rubinstein put it: “People move here (New York City) from all over the country—and the world—to follow their dreams. It sounds cliché, I know, but it’s really true.”

NYC Globetrotter Dan Rubinstein at the Globetrotter Event

We can’t wait to hear more from our men about town (and the world), as we take the IWC Globetrotter series to new IWC cities to come.

The IWC Flagship Boutique in New York City has now been open for two weeks, and so far it has been an exciting run. We took you behind the scenes of the grand opening, but thought you might like to see our newest store through some other eyes. Here we’ve brought you recaps from a few of our favorite blogs & media, bringing their perspective on our Madison Avenue location.

Exterior boutique shot (source: A Continuous Lean)

Swipelife starts off with a bold declaration: “New Yorkers no longer have an excuse not to tell time in style…”. They go on to describes how the store offers opportunities to keep time and to forget about it with “a space for browsing what could be (and probably should be) passed as fine art.” Definitely not something you find in most retailers!

IWC friend Ben Clymer (and IWC NYC Globetrotter) at Hodinkee expands on this idea, that there are “types of boutiques that are cramped and cluttered with nothing but rows of watches and uninspired ‘brand extension’ accessories…The new IWC boutique in NYC is anything but this.” His coverage also describes how entering the NYC store is like “you’ve entered someone’s home (someone’s really nice, nautical-theme home).” Clymer comments on the accessories that accompany each of the themed areas of the store, including chess sets (for the Da Vinci collection), flight jackets (a natural nod to the Top Gun series), and as NY Mag noted “a remote-controlled airplane” which they describe as “fancy dude toys”. 

Some of the accessories accompanying the Da Vinci Collection (source: Hodinkee)

Another incredible item on offer — a carbon fiber road bike (source: A Continuous Lean)

What these descriptions help to convey is the idea that this flagship boutique is just like entering a home — our home, and that we want to ensure you find items to complement every part of your global lifestyle: bicycles, books, luggage, and more. And in addition to finding exquisite and unique items for purchase, the boutique also offers that “Anyone needing service on their watch can easily drop by the new shop to be tuned, inspected or repaired, a convenience not overlooked.” 

The store entrance & first collection area (source: Hodinkee)

That observation, from Michael Williams of A Continuous Lean (also featured as an IWC NYC Globetrotter), is an important distinction in the level of service offered to IWC customers. Williams goes on to note that the store is “a welcome addition for IWC owners, non-owners and obsessives alike.” We open the doors any and all of these distinctions and offer them the Swiss hospitality and service one has come to expect from IWC Schafhaussen.

Stay tuned for more stories and insights from the New York store, and follow us in the near future as we travel to new global destinations that will soon host an IWC boutique of their own!