The
Swatch Group is known not only for its lovable, eponymous everyday watches, but also for its dazzling array of prestige watch brands under its wing. From Breguet and Jaquet-Droz to Glashütte Original and Omega, the conglomerate is now represented majestically by their new building in the heart of Tokyo's upmarket Ginza area. Named after the Group's esteemed Chairman and CEO, the spanking-new Nicolas G. Hayek Center – designed by Shigeru Ban – is home to seven prestigious boutiques, as well as three floors dedicated to after-sales service. The 14th floor is home to La Cité du Temps, which is a dedicated space for the public to to immerse themselves in the wonder of horology, in the form of exhibitions, concerts, and press conferences. Interestingly, the Center will also feature moving boutiques – they are actually hydraulic elevators – which visitors “float” around on, for an impressive, involving customer experience.
