Once a year, we used to meet up in Basel! Since the demise of Baselworld, I now have to visit him at his place, just outside Castries, on the way to Bois d’Orange, to keep in touch…
Joël A. Grandjean, JSH Magazine & Swiss-Watch-Passport.ch’ editor in chief
Pictures: ©JAG / Marie Demille
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The only island in the world to have a female name, recently in the global spotlight thanks to the gold medal won by sprinter Julien Alfred in the 100 meters, Saint Lucia is located just below Martinique, a 1.5-hour ferry ride away.
A change of scenery is guaranteed. Here, they drive on the left, speak English, and even though the culinary culture and “Kweyol” language remain stamped with French references, many localities, villages, and towns still bear the scars of a past where French colonists fought the English for this territory.
Its two pitons, whose stunning image alone embodies the fame of the entire Caribbean, its two international airports, its volcanic and sulfurous waters, its tropical forests, and its hotel facilities that rival both the “five-star” hotels frequented by world stars and the accessibility of tourism outside the Euro zone, make it an unquestionable destination.
And the icing on the cake, or rather the frangipani flower on the veranda, is that this paradise is home to a duty-free island. Pretty nice in these times! At Duty Free Pointe Séraphine, a shopping village on the outskirts of the capital Castries, you can buy some of the finest Swiss-made watches: depending on the price of the model and the savings you make, it could pay for your stay!
We used to put the world to rights at the legendary Breitling parties or on Messeplatz. Thomas Ladner, given his anchorage, still inspires me to dream.
Historic Rolex retail location
When he bought Harry Edwards Jewelers in St. Lucia, it was mainly because the company was an official Rolex agent. In fact, nothing was a given! He started from scratch and successfully passed the rigorous tests imposed by the brand with the crown logo. Unfortunately, after 23 years, he has just lost it: the Rolex US subsidiary has decided to take control.
Never mind! The local customers are here, loyal and discreet. And then there are the visitors: thank goodness I’ve never encountered those endless streams of people pouring out of their gigantic cruise ships for a quick tour of the island!
Swiss watchmaking and jewelry
Tom ‘s commitment to Swiss watchmaking continues through several prestigious names: Cartier, TAG Heuer, Omega, Raymond Weil, Tissot, and more. Then there are the eyewear and jewelry brands, some of which use their creativity to immortalize the memories stored in these heavenly places. These include the famous Pandora brand, which celebrates love here through its ambassadors Chloe and Halle Bailey.
Alongside the spaces he brings to life with soul and taste, in the duty-free village of Pointe Séraphine, where his after-sales service area with a watchmaker is also located upstairs, he has seven points of sale on the island. One of these is at Hewanorra International Airport in the south and three are in luxury resorts: at Coconut Bay Beach, Windjammer Landings, and, most recently, Sugar Beach.
