The 1916 Company China Inaugurates Shanghai Collector’s Lounge and Salon
Collectors unite to celebrate The 1916 Company’s official opening in mainland China alongside first public viewing of the De Bethune DB28xs Starry Seas.
The 1916 Company, the world’s premier destination for collectible luxury watches, marked its expansion into China and the opening of the Shanghai Collector’s Lounge and Salon with a multi-day celebration last week. Located on the Bund, the Shanghai Collector’s Lounge represents the company’s first establishment in mainland China, solidifying its dedication to engage with and support the dynamic local watch community. This new location joins The 1916 Company’s existing international sites in Dubai, Hong Kong, Neuchâtel, Riyadh, Singapore, and Zurich, and the recently inaugurated North American locations in New York, Los Angeles, Miami, and Boca Raton.
Nestled in the heart of the city’s financial district on the sixth floor of the JinYan Tower, The 1916 Company’s Shanghai Lounge echoes the aesthetics of the company’s locations worldwide. The contemporary environment spans 200 square meters and unites a welcoming lounge with private client presentation rooms, offices, event space, and a dedicated Salon for collections by De Bethune and other leading manufactures.
“We are building a home away from home for our community and watch lovers around the world,” shared The 1916 Company Global CEO and co-founder Justin Reis, who along with fellow co-founders Danny Govberg and Tay Liam Wee, was in Shanghai for the occasion. “The 1916 Company Shanghai will undoubtedly become an important destination for collectors to convene as we curate engaging, personalized experiences and showcase remarkable watch collections.”
Collectors and friends of The 1916 Company descended upon the Bulgari Hotel Shanghai for opening festivities, joined by De Bethune’s CEO Pierre Jacques and International Head of Sales Jorg Hysek. The unveiling of De Bethune’s DB28xs Starry Seas emerged as a centerpiece of the grand celebration. This new timepiece is inspired by the Japanese philosophy of Wabi-Sabi, which finds beauty in simplicity, imperfection, and the passage of time, and features a world-first random guilloché pattern upon the dial. The DB28xs Starry Seas boasts a smaller case size compared to other models in the DB28 family, measuring just under 39mm (38.7mm), while retaining the patented ‘floating lugs’ system that ensures a perfect fit on the wrist.
Andy Zhang, CEO of The 1916 Company China, expressed his delight, stating, “We are thrilled to officially welcome clients and visitors to The 1916 Company Shanghai, a space and community that embodies our commitment to the global watch enthusiast. This is a place for exploration—a place where friendships are forged, consultations take place, extraordinary timepieces are discovered, and the joy of collecting is experienced. It was a true honor to celebrate the technical and aesthetic prowess of De Bethune and the launch of the DB28xs Starry Seas alongside our opening celebration!”
The 1916 Company Shanghai is open by appointment, with dedicated client advisors available to welcome guests from Monday through Friday, 10:30am to 6:30pm. Appointments can be requested online or via WeChat.
PRESS CONTACT:
Caroline Kallman Joffe | [email protected] | +1 717 951 2259