On the evening of November 6th - at one of central London’s most unassuming addresses on paper (8 Northumberland Avenue), black ties, ball gowns (and dress watches of course) are the tailoring expectations for the 320 plus attendees of one of the most glamorous awards ceremonies in the British Watch Industry, the WatchPro Awards - 2018

Chrono Hunter’s very own ‘Tuxedoed Titans’ Max Nordigian and Sam Rayner were on the guestlist of course, thanks to the invitation of Nicholas Hickey, Director of online retailer Luxe Watches, who, as well as his company being one of the main sponsors of the night, also happen to be a finalist in this year's ECommerce Retailer of the Year Award.

We’re told that the companies in the room represent a staggering 80% of the total sales from the UK watch market so there was certainly no shortage of expertise and experience in the room.

There were a total of 14 categories at this, the third annual WatchPro Awards Ceremony, including one additional award this year, the introduction of a new category, the Lifetime Achievement Award.

On the night in question, the Lifetime Achievement Award was presented by Simon Walton, Managing Director of Patek Philippe authorised dealer Berry’s, to worthy and renowned recipient Mark Hearn, Managing Director of Patek Philippe U.K.

Mr Hearn accepted his award to a standing ovation in front of a room filled wall to wall with Patek Philippe representatives from nearly every one of the 22 U.K. and Ireland Patek Philippe authorised dealerships, his friends, and his family, and an a congregation of elite members in an industry that has been extremely grateful to have had him at the very top of the British Watch Industry for over 30 years through both the good times and the difficult ones.

Below we list all of the winners across the 15 categories presented on the night:

Independent Luxury Watch Retailer of the Year - - Boodles

Multiple Luxury Watch Retailer of the Year - - Watches of Switzerland

Volume Watch Retailer of the Year - - Beaverbrooks

Ecommerce Retailer of the Year - - Watch Shop

Best New Store of the Year - - Pragnell, Mayfair

Best Refurbished Store of the Year - - Bucherer, Westfield (London)

Retail Leader of the Year - - Anna Blackburn (Beaverbrooks)

Marketing and Merchandising Team of the Year - - Hublot

Executive Leadership Team of the Year - - Patek Philippe

Lifestyle Watch Brand of the Year - - Seiko

Sales Team of the Year - - Citizen

Best Fashion Watch Brand of the Year - - Gucci

Luxury Watch Brand of the Year - - Rolex

Lifetime Achievement Award - - Mark Hearn (Patek Philippe)

Chrono Hunter would like also to thank WatchPro Managing Director and Editor, Rob Corder, for once again orchestrating & playing host to to us at such a prestigious event.