Edinburgh’s Hamilton & Inches announces expansion

Edinburgh-based luxury watch and jewellery retailer Hamilton and Inches has announced it is expanding, following its acquisition of the building next to its existing store.

The Scottish brand said the purchase marks a significant step in its ongoing and long-term growth plans, as it will increase its presence in the city approximately twofold.

The newly bought property is a listed Victorian building distinguished by period features, which will be preserved as the building is restored and integrated into the jeweller’s existing site.

The retailer said that its extension will meaningfully boost its Rolex offering, providing customers with an “elevated environment” in which to discover new timepieces, fully authenticated certified pre-owned pieces and its aftersales service.

With extra room, the company added that it hopes to broaden its own collections, including its bridal and signature jewellery ranges, with greater emphasis on rare local materials such as Scottish gold and Scottish river pearls.

The development is set to take place over several years, with its first phase targeting the renovation and launch of the ground floor of its newest building, where the new Rolex space will be placed. This will involve the creation of a connecting passageway between the two sites.

Further steps will transform the upper floors and basement areas into improved operational and staff facilities, including expanded office space and new dedicated spaces such as a photography studio.

Hamilton and Inches will continue to operate as normal as the project gets underway.

Hamilton and Inches CEO Victoria Houghton said: “This is an incredibly exciting moment for our business. Our relationship with Rolex is central to who we are, and this investment allows us to elevate that partnership even further. From new timepieces to certified pre-owned watches and accredited servicing, we are uniquely positioned to offer a complete Rolex experience of the very highest standard.

“This expansion reflects both our heritage and our ambition for the future and will also enable us to further expand our own in-house jewellery and homeware collections and Masterpiece collections, the rarity and scarcity of which put us on a global stage.”