WEMPE Fifth Avenue Is Flying High For Its 40th Anniversary

New York City is no stranger to an ever-evolving retail landscape. Especially in today's watch market, mono-brand boutiques and even online sellers have a physical presence in the city that never sleeps. Yet despite the always-changing landscape, one constant has emerged, and that is WEMPE Fifth Avenue.

For 40 years, the renowned German retailer has enjoyed now-landmark status at their Fifth Avenue Boutique located at the corner of Fifth Avenue and 55th Street. Helmed by President Ruediger Albers for the last 30 years, WEMPE's presence in the US is not only felt in New York City but throughout the country as the retailer cultivates and attracts a steady stream of clientele and visitors from around the USA.
 

Albers got his start at WEMPE in Hamburg, Germany where the 142- year old family owned company is overseeing its 34-store empire. He moved to New York City in 1987 to lead WEMPE’s service center as a master watchmaker and to train their sales team. Now three decades removed, Albers is leading WEMPE’s entire efforts in America which includes the Rolex Boutique inside the Rolex Building, also on Fifth Avenue just two blocks south from the WEMPE flagship store.

Thanks to our friends at FlyNYON, Watchonista took to the skies with our friend Rudy, savoring the view and relishing the fact that we’re doing all of this on WEMPE’s 40th Anniversary.
 

New York City looks decidedly different than it did when WEMPE first arrived in 1980. Massive skyscrapers continued to replace the mom-and-pop shops, and from the financial district to midtown, 50+ story condominiums have largely replaced tenements and walk-ups. But one thing remains a constant, WEMPE Fifth Avenue.
 

But all of this wouldn’t be a WEMPE photoshoot without a selection of fine timepieces. Along for the ride was the just-released Chopard Alpine Eagle Wempe 5th Ave Edition, the New York exclusive WEMPE Iron Walker 40th Anniversary edition, along with a Ulysse Nardin Blast and an Iron Walker Chronograph. We wanted to bring a lot more, but FLYNYON only permits what's on your wrists to fly!
 

Powered by the Chopard 01.01-C manufacture calibre, the Alpine Eagle Wempe 5th Ave Edition beats with a 60-hour power reserve and is chronometer-certified. The caseback is emblazoned with "5th Avenue” in a nod to its inspiration, the original Wempe 5th Avenue watch, a descendant of the Chopard St. Moritz.
 

Limited to just 40 pieces, the Chopard Alpine Eagle Wempe 5th Ave Edition is priced at $12,900 and available exclusively at WEMPE boutiques. "When it came time to deciding how we would celebrate our milestone anniversary, Chopard was a natural partner," said Albers in a press release. "The Maison has been a part of WEMPE New York’s and my personal journey from the very beginning as I was working evenings as a watchmaker in their Rockefeller atelier so this new Alpine Eagle Wempe 5th Ave Edition timepiece brings us full circle. It's also just a really great looking watch."

Featuring a vibrant blue dial with an internal dive timer bezel, this Iron Walker Automatic Diver is a colorful addition to the Iron Walker collection. Notable WEMPE 40th additions are the bright red second hand, the red and white 0-15-minute dive time indicator, and the red “40” indicator on the internal bezel. Limited to just 40 pieces, this three-handed with date diver offers a lot of versatility for casual collectors and even professional divers.