Omega’s CEO on its 2 sprawling new Hong Kong boutiques: K-drama’s Han So-hee, model Ayla Sham Yuet and more stars were at the grand openings in Central and K11 Musea, Tsim Sha Tsui – interview

Dec 15 , 2023

Omega CEO Raynald Aeschlimann, South Korean actress Han So-hee, Hong Kong model Ayla Sham Yuet and Swatch Group (HK) managing director Stephen DeLucchi at Omega’s recent boutique launch in Hong Kong. Photos: Handout

Omega celebrated the 75th anniversary of its Seamaster watches this year with ‘summer blue’ versions of all models in the range, from Aqua Terra to Ultra Deep

The new boutiques are on both sides of Victoria Harbour – one, a four-storey outlet along Queen’s Road in Central, and the other in Tsim Sha Tsui’s K11 Musea shopping mall

Swiss watchmaker Omega made waves in Hong Kong recently by launching two boutiques on both sides of Victoria Harbour: a four-storey store on Queen’s Road in the heart of the bustling Central district, and a K11 Musea location on the other side overlooking Victoria Harbour.

The luxury watch brand celebrated both stores in style: brand ambassador and South Korean superstar actress Han So-hee attended the evening celebrations and toured the K11 location with Omega president and CEO Raynald Aeschlimann. Other stars of the city showed up as well, including friend of the brand, model and fashionista Ayla Sham Yuet.

Omega CEO Raynald Aeschlimann at the brand’s new K11 Musea location in Hong Kong

It was in the upper floor space with the stunning backdrop of Victoria Harbour where we sat to chat with Aeschlimann to hear his thoughts on the brand and on the opening of these two locations, which mark a turning point for the brand’s relationship with its boutiques.

Omega’s Queen’s Road Central boutique is located in the heart of Hong Kong

“We felt in this city there was a lot happening,” Aeschlimann says. “Thus it was time for Omega to grow. This is a landmark for the next generation of our stores. It’s about time a watch brand like us go into the next step of saying ‘this is our world – come in and enjoy it.’”

Omega’s new Queens Road Central location in Hong Kong features traditional retail and customer service areas

Aeschlimann explains that the two new locations in Hong Kong embrace slightly different approaches to interacting with customers. The Central location has a more traditional storefront and customer service area on the first three floors, with “The Suite” on the fourth, complete with a lounge, cocktail bar, dining area and screening room.

K11 Musea takes advantage of its sweeping harbour views, using a spiral staircase to take guests from an organic reception area to a second floor bar and dining space complete with a watchmaking salon.