New Showroom at Frauenkirche 20

“An der Frauenkirche 20” is the new address of Wempe Jewellers in Dresden. The showroom is prominently situated on the street corner, beside Steigenberger Hotel de Saxe and directly opposite the main entrance of Baroque Frauenkirche (Church of Our Lady). After fifteen years at Altmarkt, the relocation completes a project which was very important to the company’s owner Hellmut Wempe: “It had always been my wish to relocate our showroom to a venue close to the newly rebuilt Frauenkirche in Germany’s most beautiful Baroque city.

”Furthermore, Dresden is situated close to the centre of Saxony watchmaking in Glashütte, a town which has played an outstanding role in Wempe’s history during the past several years. With the purchase of Glashütte Observatory, the establishment of Wempe’s own watch production facility on its premises and the creation of Germany’s first chronometer-testing facility there, Kim-Eva Wempe continues her father’s success story in her own unique way and in the fourth generation.

The grand opening near Frauenkirche fulfils the plans for reworking Wempe’s image according to new guidelines that were introduced on the occasion of the company’s 125th anniversary. “The appearance in Dresden now corresponds to the international standards of our business, which operates 25 showrooms around the world,” says Kim-Eva Wempe. “In collaboration with local craft enterprises, we have realised our vision all the way down to the smallest details. Thirteen different trades participated in the interior design of the commercial premises alone.”

The surroundings likewise uphold the promises implicit in the business’ name. At Quartier III, the “jewel beside the Frauenkirche,” an experiment in urban planning has succeeded extraordinarily well on a site rich in history. Modern elements and historical facades have been brought together here to create a harmonious overall appearance.

A unique eye catcher in the new commercial premises is a piece of art which connoisseur Hellmut Wempe discovered during his travels: the painting “Almeada,” based on an idea by Lord Frederic Leighton, was rendered in oil on canvas by the artist Agris Rautins. The golden patina of the painting’s frame makes this artwork look like an icon. And the people on the eight-person team at the shop in Dresden hope that this artwork will bring them good luck. “We cultivate this tradition in all of our branches,” says Hellmut Wempe.

Kim-Eva Wempe joined her father Hellmut Wempe, managing director Jochen Siemer and his successor Patrick Böhnlein to officially open the new commercial premises on Wednesday, 4 June 2008.