Le Richemond Appoints a Watch Butler

It may have been some time since every gentleman required a gentleman’s gentleman to soothe the furrowed brow and ease the cares of daily life. That doesn’t mean, of course, that having your very own Jeeves to grill the morning bacon or run the evening bath is not a thoroughly desirable thing. Or that the notion of the well-trained butler is entirely outmoded.

At the Le Richemond Hotel in Geneva, they certainly don’t think so. Some weeks ago, they announced the appointment of “a dedicated Watch Butler” to minister to the every desire of watch-lovers staying at the luxury hotel. And this is not any ordinary butler. As Bertie Wooster once said of Jeeves: “he moves in mysterious ways his wonders to perform.”

Pierre Jacques, the hotel purrs, “is the head of the well-known luxury watch boutique Les Ambassadeurs, and was previously owner and editor of the industry bible, GMT Magazine.” Jacques has access to 24 mostly Swiss luxury brands as well as to a number of collector’s items, and guests will be able to peruse any watch in the collection on request, accompanied by Jacques’ expert commentary, whether at the hotel or in his store a brief limo-ride away.

Not only that, the ever-solicitous Jacques will also organise private visits to leading watchmakers in and around Geneva, including Vacheron Constantin, Roger Dubuis and Franck Muller. The service is, of course, complimentary though it is also available as part of a package that includes a welcome glass of champagne and breakfast, a visit to the Patek Philippe Museum and a gourmet dinner as well as accomodation.