Project photo provided by IWC.
Next-Gen Luxury Guest Experience at the new IWC Flagship Boutique in Zurich, Design Build by The Producers Group.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – Schaffhausen & Los Angeles — IWC Schaffhausen and The Producers Group celebrate the opening of an all-new flagship boutique experience in Zurich. IWC Racing Works takes visitors on a high-tech, high-touch immersive journey into IWC’s racing heritage.
This themed retail experience uses a mixture of memorabilia and unique timepieces to tell the long-standing connection between IWC and the world of automotive engineering and motorsport. Utilizing interactive and virtual reality, guests will experience the next level in retail design.
“Zurich turned out incredible, we couldn’t be happier with the results, the boutique is a complete, full 360-degree immersive flagship store concept. Everything IWC touches in the world of racing comes to life in this boutique. Visitors can experience a loft style atmosphere, where garage and living room blend to create this contemporary space, though based on classic vintage racing, and has immediately returned to the position one of IWC’s highest earning locations,” says Pascal Sbrzesney, IWC Head of Architectural Concepts & Store Planning. “We knew going into this location was going to be a challenge, creatively we were attempting something we really hadn’t done before, and we knew we were pushing the envelope. So, finding the right development and production partners like The Producers Group was paramount,” he continued.
The Producers Group had a significant role in the development and construction of this new boutique. Our Glendale office working alongside our European partners were able to help redefine IWC’s classic boutique experience into an immersive flagship store concept.” Lauren Olivarez, Director of Design for The Producers Group stated. “By adding a level of story and customized exploration into the design activation and craftsman moments where the customer is actively integrated into the space and its history along with the personal engagement of selecting a luxury watch. The interior is seamlessly blended with a vintage garage loft design with opulent finishes to create a unique contemporary themed environment,” she added.
“Each area has a personal character, either dedicated to one of our watch families or a chapter of the racing theme. There are open displays for the Portugieser & Pilots watches, where you can explore the full collection without a glass cube. We’ve placed them right in the lobby as these are IWC’s most iconic product lines and to lower the barrier to enter a luxury store. This new approach required a new design and integration of more technology. This was already an ambitious project before the challenges of 2020 even began.” says Sbrzesney.
“Despite the difficulties of 2020, TPGs approach to having a global team allowed us to continue to support the Client’s installation schedule,” said Claudia Nunn, Director of Production at The Producers Group.
IWC Racing Works is located on the ‘home straight’ of Zurich’s Bahnhofstrasse, the expanded and remodeled luxury boutique invites guests to enter the world of a bustling motor-racing workshop.
IWC Racing Works Zurich is the first in a series of themed IWC flagship boutiques around the world. The next projects will continue to tell the IWC story of engineering and adventure – one exhilarating chapter at a time.
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About The Producers Group
The Producers Group (TPG) is a premier provider of production and design services for destination attractions worldwide. TPG specializes in turnkey attractions, production management, technical design, and content development for everything from small projects to entire theme parks. TPG creates the most amazing attractions and guest experiences worldwide by redefining the industry standard. TPG maintains a full-time, in-house staff of highly trained Show Producers, Project Managers, Technical Directors, Technical Managers, Technical Documentation Support Staff, and Specialized Designers of all disciplines. Visit www.producers-group.com
About IWC SCHAFFHAUSEN
In 1868, the American watchmaker and entrepreneur Florentine Ariosto Jones travelled from Boston to Switzerland and founded the ‘International Watch Company’ in Schaffhausen. His visionary dream was to combine advanced American manufacturing methods with the craftsmanship of Swiss watchmakers to make the best pocket watches of his time. In doing so, he not only laid the foundation for IWC’s unique engineering approach but also established the centralized production of mechanical watches in Switzerland.
Over its 150-year history, IWC Schaffhausen has developed a reputation for creating functional complications, especially chronographs and calendars, which are ingenious, robust, and easy for customers to use. A pioneer in the use of titanium and ceramics, IWC today specializes in highly engineered technical watch cases manufactured from advanced materials, such as titanium aluminide and Ceratanium®. Preferring the principle of “form follows function” over decoration, the Swiss watch manufacturer’s timeless creations embody their owners’ dreams and ambitions as they journey through life.
IWC sources materials responsibly and takes action to minimize its impact on the environment, creating intrinsically sustainable timepieces that are built to last for generations. The company prides itself in training its own future watchmakers and engineers, as well as offering an excellent working environment for all employees. IWC also partners with organizations that work globally to support children and young people. Visit www.iwc.com