CHRONEXT Expands Global Footprint with New Retail Partnership with Albini Prassa in Romania

Leveraging its robust omni-channel strategy, CHRONEXT seamlessly integrates a premier online platform with physical boutiques and pick-up lounges, ensuring an exceptional luxury experience for its customers. As part of its ambitious expansion plans, CHRONEXT is set to enter new markets, starting with Romania. This strategic move is aimed at capturing a larger share of the luxury watch market and providing unparalleled value to both sellers and buyers worldwide.

Ion Schiau, founder of Albini Prassa, stated, “This new development answers an ever-growing demand from customers and reflects the current reality of our industry. The global value of actively traded watches in the certified pre-owned market in 2023 was CHF 20 billion, with predictions of CPO trade reaching CHF 30 billion by 2025. This growth will surpass the regular trade, making our presence in this market not only a strategic opportunity but a necessary response to the constant demand from customers in Romania."

Committed to authenticity and quality, CHRONEXT differentiates itself by offering 100% certified luxury watches, appealing to a discerning clientele that values trust and verification. This dedication to excellence is reflected in their strong market presence and growing global footprint. These advancements are designed to improve the customer experience and facilitate seamless C2B2C trading.

Ion Schiau added, “As the first retailer in Romania to propose such a partnership, we are underlining the importance of certified and guaranteed watches, which differs significantly from the traditional second-hand market in Romania. Our partnership will provide higher comfort, transparency, and security to our customers. Aligned with our credo of being first, unique, and different, we opened Maison Albini Prassa in 2018, setting a new standard for retail experience and brand journey. It was a first in Bucharest then and still is today. Now, we are excited to launch our entry into the certified pre-owned market with the European leader, CHRONEXT.”

With roots in Switzerland and Romania, Albini Prassa began its local operations in 2004 as a distributor of Swiss watches, with Tissot being the first brand. Subsequently, the company specialized in promoting and strengthening the brand image of its international partners, including Bulgari, Franck Müller, Laurent Ferrier, Urwerk, Louis Erard, ZRC, Bomberg, and Tissot. Albini Prassa has initiated several collections and limited editions for Romania, such as TISSOT România 1918-2018, TISSOT Stejarii și Stejarul de Aur, Bomberg Loop, QlockTwo Romania edition, TISSOT Heritage Săgeata Orientului, and Undone FC Rapid 100 years. In 2018, Albini Prassa entered the retail market through Maison Albini Prassa, a place where timepieces and personalized brand experiences come together.

Founded in 2013, the company based in Zug, Switzerland, is today one of the leading retailers of CPO (Certified Pre-Owned) and vintage watches. In addition to its core business in online retail, CHRONEXT now also operates exclusive brick-and-mortar boutiques and lounges in locations around the world such as Düsseldorf, Munich, Berlin, Zurich and Hong Kong. CHRONEXT combines the convenience of a web store with the first-class service of a boutique and supports its customers in all phases of purchasing and owning a luxury watch. Thanks to its hybrid business model, the company can offer its own watches as well as stock from manufacturers, retailers and private sellers, giving it access to a range of around 6,000 models. CHRONEXT is responsible for controlling the entire process, which is ensured by a team of around 10 in-house watchmakers. They check each watch in a 17-stage authenticity and quality control process and then issue a 24-month guarantee. To date, CHRONEXT has helped over 175,000 customers in more than 60 countries to buy and sell their watches.