History

Gerhard Wempe founded his first jewellery workshop in Glückstadt, Germany, in 1878, moving to Hamburg in 1919. The company has remained a family business through five generations, making Wempe one of the oldest and most established jewellery and watch retailers in Europe. The family's commitment to quality and long-term relationships with the world's leading manufacturers has built a reputation that rivals the great Swiss and British retailers.

The Stores

Wempe operates approximately 30 stores in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United States. The flagship store on the Jungfernstieg in Hamburg occupies a historic building at the heart of the city's luxury shopping district. Wempe's presence on New York's Fifth Avenue — one of the world's most prestigious retail addresses — was established in 1999. Each store carries both the fine jewellery and the watch offering.

Brands & Watches

Wempe is an authorised retailer for Rolex, Patek Philippe, A. Lange & Söhne, Audemars Piguet, IWC, Jaeger-LeCoultre, Omega and many other leading Swiss manufacturers. The jewellery offering includes Wempe's own By Kim collection alongside fine diamonds and precious stones. Wempe is one of very few retailers worldwide with full authorisation for both Rolex and Patek Philippe in the same store.

Wempe Zeitmeister

Wempe also produces its own watch brand — Wempe Zeitmeister — assembled at the Wempe manufactory in Glashütte, Saxony. These watches, priced at a fraction of the Swiss competitors they reference, are among the most overlooked values in fine watchmaking: Swiss Eta or Wempe-regulated movements in well-finished, classically designed cases at accessible prices.