Business

Rolex store opens at Queen’s Arcade - in time for The Open

Timed to perfection. Pictured in the new Rolex store at Lunn's in Belfast are Hok Man Pang (watch maker), Nick Megarry (watch manager), Suzanne Lunn (marketing director) and John Lunn (managing director)
Timed to perfection. Pictured in the new Rolex store at Lunn's in Belfast are Hok Man Pang (watch maker), Nick Megarry (watch manager), Suzanne Lunn (marketing director) and John Lunn (managing director) Timed to perfection. Pictured in the new Rolex store at Lunn's in Belfast are Hok Man Pang (watch maker), Nick Megarry (watch manager), Suzanne Lunn (marketing director) and John Lunn (managing director)

JEWELLER Lunn's has opened a new Rolex store in Belfast's Queen’s Arcade, creating four jobs in the process.

It comes as part of a wider £2.5 million project by Lunn’s to restore the city’s last remaining Victorian shopping arcade.

The 70 sq metre store, which fronts on to Donegall Place, was designed to an exacting specification by the Rolex design team in Geneva and features marble flooring, striated limestone walls, walnut wood panelling and bespoke Rolex furniture.

Rolex is patron and official timekeeper to The Open, and the opening coincides with the 148th championship being held this week at Royal Portrush.

Richard de Leyser, managing director of Rolex UK, said: “I’m delighted Lunn’s continues to invest in our partnership.

“The new contemporary space complements the historic architecture of Queen’s Arcade and provides a fitting home for Rolex. It also provides a new and engaging customer experience, which perfectly position Lunn’s to meet the challenges of a rapidly changing retail environment.”

Peter Lunn, chairman of Lunn’s Jewellers, added: “We're delighted to partner with Rolex and open a spectacular store in Belfast city centre, and to do so in the week that Northern Ireland hosts The Open makes it even more special.

“We’ve been privileged to have a small insight into all that is happening around Royal Portrush and Northern Ireland has a very exciting week ahead.

“We are thrilled that this new store offers clients the opportunity to view the Rolex range in the very best environment that is on a standard with the world’s leading shopping destinations.”

For more than 50 years Rolex has been intimately linked with golf. The partnership started in 1967 with Arnold Palmer. He was joined by his close friends Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player, who this year celebrates the 60th anniversary of his first major victory at The Open in 1969.

Rolex supports golf at all levels, from golfing legends to today’s elite players. The partnership also extends to the organisations around the world responsible for safeguarding the game’s future.

Rolex testimonee Open champions are Gary Player (1959, 1968, 1974), Arnold Palmer (1961, 1962), Jack Nicklaus (1966, 1970, 1978), Tom Watson (1975, 1977, 1980, 1982, 1983), Tiger Woods (2000, 2005, 2006), Pádraig Harrington (2007, 2008), Phil Mickelson (2013), Jordan Spieth (2017) and Francesco Molinari (2018)

Rolex testimonees expected to play at Royal Portrush this week include Rafa Cabrera Bello, Paul Casey, Jason Day, Bryson DeChambeau, Matthew Fitzpatrick, Rickie Fowler, Pádraig Harrington, Brooks Koepka, Haotong Li, Hideki Matsuyama, Phil Mickelson, Francesco Molinari, Joaquín Niemann,

Thorbjørn Olesen, Thomas Pieters, Jon Rahm, Adam Scott, Jordan Spieth, Justin Thomas and Tiger Woods.