Luxury second-hand lands at Galeries Lafayette

A space of over 30 square meters dedicated to pre-owned luxury watches and jewelry has just opened at Galeries Lafayette Haussmann. “Hojo Vintage” (hojo for horlogerie-joaillerie), nestled on the ground floor of the most famous Galeries in Paris, is part of the luxury retail giant’s efforts to revamp its luxury offerings. To bring this project to life, given the complexities of the market—often perceived as a gray market, especially regarding authenticity—the department store enlisted a trio of exceptional partners. Rolex (offering the Rolex Certified Pre Owned program, certifying the authenticity of its pieces), Kronos 360, a French specialist in pre-owned luxury watches, and Castafiore, a brand launched two years ago by a female duo expert in second-hand luxury jewelry, have been the pillars of this project. Located right next to the Rolex shop in the Galeries of the 9th arrondissement, the space is organized as follows: it is divided into two zones, one containing six displays dedicated to Rolex watches on the left, and four displays for brands offered by Kronos 360 and two for Castafiore jewelry on the right. After no less than a year of work, we can now discover the details of this new space, what it offers, and what it brings to the already bustling Galeries. 

From a watchmaking perspective, of all the brands offered new in the Galeries, only Rolex has been granted a place in these 30 square meters. In terms of jewelry, a category less developed at Hojo until now in favor of watches, Houses such as Van Cleef & Arpels, Cartier, and Boucheron have agreed to offer pre-owned models. But under one condition: the models presented must be over 20 years old and under no circumstances currently available in their collections. For now, the offering includes around forty pieces of jewelry, ranging from 500 euros to 35,000 euros. «It's a great way to attract a new clientele who might not dare to step into these big brand stores. We often say that we are a good alternative to Place Vendôme because it is easier to enter Galeries Lafayette than a flagship jewelry store» explained Stéphanie Hernandez Barragan, purchasing and marketing director for the watches and jewelry division of the French department store. This new space is likely to resonate with Gen-Z, who, driven by a common nostalgia, are increasingly seeking vintage and rare, durable pieces. Rumor has it that the next project in the pipeline for the department store could be a resale service, allowing customers to part with key pieces from their personal collections, or a concierge service to assist them in the buying process and help them find the rare gem.