In a major development for Canada’s expanding luxury market, TimeVallée has opened its first flagship store at Montreal’s highly anticipated Royalmount shopping centre. This store marks TimeVallée’s debut in Canada and its 50th boutique worldwide, signifying the brand’s commitment to broadening its international presence. In partnership with Maison Birks, a Canadian luxury icon, TimeVallée offers a curated selection of prestigious watch brands, blending rich heritage with modern craftsmanship.

Jean-Christophe Bédos, President and CEO of Birks Group, expressed his enthusiasm about the partnership: “We’re thrilled to bring something entirely new to the Canadian market. TimeVallée offers an international luxury watch experience that is perfectly aligned with the growing demand for high-end retail in Canada. With Royalmount poised to become a major luxury destination, we’re confident that TimeVallée will help solidify that status.”

For Emmanuel Perrin, CEO of TimeVallée and Head of Specialist Watchmakers Distribution, running Richemont’s Specialist Watchmaker’s Maisons, the expansion into Canada was a natural progression: “Canada is a market we’ve had our eye on for some time, and partnering with Birks made perfect sense for us. We’ve had a longstanding relationship with Maison Birks through several of our brands, which allowed us to hit the ground running. This Montreal boutique is just the beginning, and we have exciting plans for the future.”

A global gateway to luxury watchmaking: TimeVallée

Founded in Switzerland, TimeVallée, a Richemont brand, is renowned for offering an immersive and educational luxury watch retail experience. Unlike traditional mono-brand boutiques, TimeVallée brings together over 30 prestigious watch Maisons under one roof. The Montreal boutique includes iconic brands such as Baume & Mercier, Cartier, Chopard, Grand Seiko, Jaeger-LeCoultre, Panerai, and Piaget, making it a destination for both seasoned collectors and newcomers to the world of luxury watches.

The store’s design plays a crucial role in creating an inviting and luxurious atmosphere. The 2,800 sq. ft. space at Royalmount is inspired by the curves of Swiss valleys, with a colour palette of golden and champagne hues that reflect the elegance and craftsmanship of the watches. Each brand has its own dedicated space within the store, allowing customers to explore the unique heritage of each Maison.

Photo: Olivier Blouin

Photo: Olivier Blouin

Photo: Olivier Blouin

Photo: Olivier Blouin

“We designed TimeVallée to be open and welcoming, so customers can fully immerse themselves in the art of watchmaking,” said Perrin. “It’s about creating a space where both seasoned collectors and newcomers feel comfortable. We want to inspire a new generation of watch lovers who might be taking their first steps into the world of luxury watches.”

One of the store’s standout features is its interactive and educational approach. TimeVallée aims to demystify the world of luxury watches by making it accessible to everyone. “Our goal is to create an experience where customers can learn about the intricate craftsmanship behind each timepiece. Whether you’re here to make a purchase or simply explore, we want TimeVallée to feel like a welcoming space for all,” Perrin added.

The future of Canada’s luxury market

The opening of TimeVallée at Royalmount is part of a broader effort to elevate Canada’s luxury shopping landscape. With other high-end brands like Rolex (operated by Raffi Jewellers), Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Michael Kors, Saint Laurent, Sandro, Versace and more, are also setting up shop at Royalmount, this new shopping centre is expected to rival Toronto’s Yorkdale Shopping Centre as a key luxury hub. For Montreal, Royalmount represents a significant leap forward in the city’s ability to attract high-end retailers and cater to the growing demand for luxury goods.

“Royalmount is a game changer for Montreal,” said Bédos. “It’s been a long time coming, but we’re finally seeing the infrastructure that high-end brands need to thrive in Canada. We believe this will become a focal point for luxury shopping not just in Montreal, but across the country.”

Bédos emphasized that Canada’s shifting demographics are driving the demand for luxury products. “Canada’s population is growing by about a million people a year, and many of these new Canadians come from countries where luxury shopping is part of their lifestyle. We’re seeing increased demand for high-end products, and TimeVallée is well-positioned to meet that demand.”

Some of the best dressed in attendance at the grand opening:

Photo: Jimmy Hamelin

Photo: Jimmy Hamelin

Our editor-in-chief, Steven Branco, in attendance at the first Canadian flagship of TimeVallée in partnership with Maison Birks. (Photo: Jimmy Hamelin)

Photo: Jimmy Hamelin

Photo: Jimmy Hamelin

Photo: Jimmy Hamelin

Photo: Jimmy Hamelin

Photo: Jimmy Hamelin

Photo: Jimmy Hamelin

Photo: Jimmy Hamelin

Photo: Jimmy Hamelin

Photo: Jimmy Hamelin

Photo: Jimmy Hamelin

Photo: Jimmy Hamelin

Photo: Jimmy Hamelin

Photo: Jimmy Hamelin

Chef Oliver Perret and his team from Le Renoir Montreal restaurant. (Photo: Jimmy Hamelin), who recently also worked with Air France on the redesign of their inflight menu.

Photo: Jimmy Hamelin

Photo: Jimmy Hamelin

Looking ahead: Expanding TimeVallée’s presence in Canada

The Montreal boutique may be TimeVallée’s first Canadian location, but it certainly won’t be the last. TimeVallée has ambitious plans for the Canadian market, with the next store set to open at Vancouver’s Oakridge Centre in 2025. Perrin noted, “This is just the beginning for TimeVallée in Canada. We’re excited to bring our unique approach to other cities and continue building relationships with Canadian luxury consumers.”

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As Canada’s luxury market continues to expand, the arrival of TimeVallée and the development of Royalmount signal a new era for high-end retail in the country. With its focus on heritage, innovation, and accessibility, TimeVallée is poised to make a lasting impact on the Canadian luxury landscape.

Perrin concluded, “The luxury watch industry is evolving, and so are our customers. We want TimeVallée to be a place where people come not only to shop, but to learn, experience, and connect with the world of fine watchmaking. We’re excited to be part of Canada’s growing luxury scene.”

Editors' note: Photos all courtesy of TimeVallée and Maison Birks, whom hosted a member of our team at the grand opening. All opinions expressed herein are our own.

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Montreal is the Canadian city to be in from June 15 through the 18th as the city will be flooded with Formula 1 Grand Prix activities and fans. If you’re heading to the event, get ready to enjoy a weekend full of races, live music and delicious eats. Whether you’re a Grand Prix pro or attending for the first time, this ultimate guide will equip you with all the information needed to make the most of your experience. From transportation tips to a list of this year’s races, we’ve got you covered.

How to Get There

If you’re not arriving in a Formula 1 car, then you may need some directions to the track. Jean Dreapeau Park is where you’ll find all the action so travelling to the Jean-Drapeau Metro stop is definitely the easiest route. There are also two parking lots on lle St.Helen’s if you’re arriving by car.

Race Weekend Schedule

Get your engines started because the Grand Prix is here! Although The Formula 1 Pirelli Grand Prix du Canada 2023 race starts at 2pm on Sunday, June 18, there are two days of races to watch before that. Find the entire race weekend schedule below:

THURSDAY

•  9 a.m. to noon – pit lane walk
•  Noon to 3 p.m. – Food trucks, bars, F-1 atmosphere.
•  2 p.m. to 3 p.m. – High speed testing of safety and medical cars.

FRIDAY

•  8:30 a.m. – Venue opens
•  9:10 a.m. to 6:50 p.m. – Series of challenges and practice sessions.
•  7:30 p.m. – Venue closes.

SATURDAY

•  7:30 a.m. – Venue opens.
•  8:15 a.m. to 6:15 p.m. – Series of qualifying sessions, races and a pit stop practice (11:10 a.m. to 11:40 a.m.)
•  7:30 p.m. – Venue closes.

SUNDAY

•  8:30 a.m. – Venue opens.
•  9:55 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. – Races.
•  11:50 a.m. to 12:20 p.m. – F1 Drivers Parade.
•  2 p.m. to 4 p.m. – F1 Pirelli Grand Prix du canada 2023 (70 laps, 120 minutes).
•  7:30 p.m. – Venue closes.

Tickets

You must purchase a ticket if you want to get in on the action. While some are sold out, others are still available for purchase and vary in price from $95-1050. To purchase tickets online, click here.

• General Admission – Price for Saturday only: $150, Price for Friday only: $95, 3-day tickets and Sunday only: Sold out
• Grandstand 47 – Price for 3 days: $275 (SOLD OUT), Price for Sunday: $195, Price for Saturday: $165, Price for Friday: $110
• Grandstand 11 – Price for 3 days: $555
• Grandstand 16 – Price for 3 days: $555
• Grandstand 1 – Price for 3 days: $670
• Grandstand 32 – Price for 3 days: $365
• Grandstand 31 – Price for 3 days: $365
• Grandstand 34 – Price for 3 days: $395
• Grandstand 12 – Price for 3 days: $555
• Grandstand 21 – Price for 3 days: $555
• Grandstand 15 – Price for 3 days: $555
• Grandstand 24 – Price for 3 days: $555
• Grandstand 46 – Price for 3 days: $295
• VIP Terrace 34 – $950 + taxes
• VIP Terrace 21 – $1050 plus taxes
• VIP Terrace CGV – $1050 plus taxes

Where to Eat

You’ll definitely want to arrive hungry to Grand Prix weekend as there are food options available everywhere on-site. Here is an overview of the different food zones and some examples of what you can find at each location. For a full list of options, click here.

• Cosmos Zone: Various gourmet streetfood restaurants (think everything from hotdogs to ice cream and even vegan tacos)
• Hairpin Zone (Exterior): Food close to Grandstands 21, 15, Lance Stroll and 46 (Subway, pizza, hotdogs, ice cream and everything in-between)
• Hairpin Zone (Interior): Food and drink to enjoy close to grandstands 34 and 47 (Churros, ice cream, hotdogs)
• Park Zone: In the center of the island (Subway, burgers, chicken)
• Family Zone: Close to grandstand 32 and Family grandstand (Lebanese eats, Beaver Tails)
• Gold Zone: Close to grandstand 1, 16 and Platine (Pizza, Vegetarian eats, BBQ)
• Senna Zone: Home to the CGV VIP zones (BBQ, Sushi, burgers)
• Beach Zone: Beach, sun & eats (Sushi, BBQ)

Crescent Street Grand Prix Festival

You can catch the opening ceremony of the Festival at 12:30pm on Thursday with DJ Skittel’zz kicking of the part at 4:30pm followed by Three of Us on The Jack Daniels Stage at 7 p.m.

On Friday and Saturday, DJs and music acts will entertain the crowd from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., while on Sunday, the lively performances will take place from 3:30 p.m. to 11 p.m.

Peel Street

Three blocks east of Crescent Street, you can enjoy the weekend between Rene-Levesque and Maisonneuve boulevards. Fans can check out the latest Alfa Romeo, Lincoln, Lucid, Porsche and other models of luxury vehicles. The Red Bull Fan Zone will also host DJs and performances from the Red Bull Bus.

Race and pit stop simulators will be open.

Tips from the F1 Spectator

Here are some tips from the F1 Spectator, which you can also find here.

• You’ve come to watch other people drive. Leave the car at the hotel  for this one and take the metro instead.
• If you’ve come all this way for a glimpse of a Formula 1 car between heads in the crowd snap up those general admission tickets. Otherwise give them a miss this time.
• Remember FM radio? You can use one to listen to commentary at the track by tuning into 99.1 FM and 104.5 FM.
• Montreal can be a pain in the ass. Bring a cushion for the hard metal bleachers.
• Soak up the festival atmosphere and a few beers with the rest of the F1 fraternity in Crescent Street

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As the weather gets warmer and the days longer, that means summer is finally here! While you prepare for all your adventures, a new destination in Montreal promises to be an experience like none other. If you’re looking to immerse yourself in a fantasy setting offering a dream-like environment while tantalizing your taste buds, you want to check out Yoko Luna.

See also: Gent’s Eat: Travel to Southern Italy w/ Zitto Zitto Taverna>>>

Specs

Yoko Luna opened its doors just recently on May 24th, 2022 and is the brainchild of hospitality and entertainment group JEGantic and its founder John Edward Gumbley. Gumbley is also the man behind many other Montreal staples including the 1920s Prohibition-inspired venue Bord’Elle. “Yoko Luna is sure to unlock all of one’s desires, being the Magnum Opus of all the years of experience encompassed by The JEGantic Group,” notes Gumbley.

This exhilarating dining and nightlife experience is sure to invoke passionate reactions from the moment you set foot in the 20,000 sqft. venue and witness the beauty and grandeur of a mystical world. Yoko Luna is housed at the legendary Montreal landmark, 1234 Rue de la Montagne. This historical site has housed many of Montreal’s most famous venues over the last 50 years.

Ambiance

Spanning at nearly 20,000 square feet, the venue is comprised of:

• A grand entrance of mirrors (The Path of Reflection)
• 6000 square foot main dining room (The Garden of Yoko)
• A large bar/Japanese whiskey den (The Sake Parlor)
• A stand-alone guest reception/cocktail lounge (The Sake Parlor)
• 2 semi private VIP areas (The Koi Pond and the Louis XIII Experience)
• 2 summer terrasses reflecting themes of nature and art on a 3000 square foot space.

The main focal point, a 15-foot tall Geisha holding the live DJ as if in the palm of her hand, towers above the crowd. At the base of the statue stands the entire team of elite sushi rollers, crafting delicacies center stage for all of the guests to experience.

Nikkei

The menu is jointly developed by JEGantic Group Executive Chef Andrew Bambino and locally-renowned celebrity Chef Hakim Chajar.

The cuisine is Nikkei, an exquisite blend of Japanese delicacies and Peruvian delights. It is based on two separate interchangeable concepts. The first and primary idea is that of Nikkei cuisine and the second portion of the menu is that of a high-end Japanese steakhouse and sushi bar serving variations of the finest Wagyu, Kobe beef, and Toro. Signature dishes include the Luna Ceviche, with diced bluefin tuna, yuzu “lèche de tigre”, jalapeño dashing and cancha corn. 

Drinks

Yoko Luna has constructed a cocktail program, designed by their very own famed Montreal mixologist and 3X GQ’s most imaginative bartender finalist, Lawrence Picard. Blending state of the art bartending equipment with master culinary techniques, Yoko Luna’s cocktails pay a respectful tribute to the richness of Peruvian and Japanese cultures.

As for the wine, Yoko Luna features an intricately curated list pairing some of the city’s finest privately imported products. Lastly, Yoko Luna offers one of the largest selections of Japanese whiskies the city has to offer. Each meticulously hand-picked and imported.

From the rooms to the menu, this venue is perfect to discover all that Yoko Luna has to offer. This summer, get ready to explore the exciting and electrifying world of Yoko Luna!

Feature image credit Yoko Luna

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