The Fine Watch Club invites the EHL

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New boutique partner - A L'Emeraude
2 minutes read
The biggest independent watch retailer in French-speaking Switzerland welcomes students from the world’s best hospitality school.

Two major Lausanne institutions got together in May on the initiative of the Fine Watch Club, the world’s first international watch club. The Ecole Hôtelière de Lausanne (EHL), recognised as the world’s finest hospitality school, counts many watch fans among its cosmopolitan mix of students. In the past, the EHL has had partnerships with watch brands including Baume & Mercier and Breitling. While reading watch magazine GMT, to which the EHL library has a subscription, some of the students discovered the existence of the Fine Watch Club, and got in contact to organise a presentation for their watch-loving classmates. And what better Lausanne venue for fine watch enthusiasts than A L’Emeraude? The oldest watch boutique in the Olympic capital has recently quadrupled its surface area, while completing an extremely ambitious renovation. The multi-brand shop now has dedicated Patek Philippe and Rolex areas, and a very comfortable lounge on the first floor opposite the watchmaker’s workshop. The two levels are connected by a spectacular wall of Jaeger-LeCoultre Atmos clocks.

Le Fine Watch Club convie l’EHL

So it was only logical that the Fine Watch Club should offer to host the presentation in this magical setting. Twenty students from the EHL were invited (numbers were limited to ensure a high-quality experience). The international audience was welcomed by A L’Emeraude managing director Derek Cremers, who also acted as tour guide. During the reception that followed, Fine Watch Club director Julien Haenny addressed this young and cosmopolitan audience, which numbered slightly more men than women, many of whom were sporting some fine watches on their wrists.

Le Fine Watch Club convie l’EHL

Future elite

Andrea Paganessi, the EHL master’s student who brought this group of watch enthusiasts together, said: “A L’Emeraude is a truly exceptional boutique that offers a stunning setting, and our welcome was impeccable. Personally, I really like the concept of a shared Patek Philippe and Rolex space in a separate wing of the shop, it’s unique! The watches they showed us were magnificent. A L’Emeraude is truly one of a kind.” The Fine Watch Club was very pleased with the format of the event, which provides a forum for bringing the industry closer to its end customers, as well as showing clients a glimpse of what goes on behind the scenes of major watch brands or other industry stakeholders like A L’Emeraude.

Le Fine Watch Club convie l’EHL

After the reception, the EHL group expressed their enthusiasm about the visit and the concept of the Fine Watch Club. They left with thoughts of returning to Place St François with their friends and families to celebrate their graduation in appropriate style.