Wempe U.S. President Rudy Albers cheers to 35 years in the business.
KAYLA HARDERSEN PORTRAIT BY JÜRGEN FRANK
Rudy Albers started with renowned timepiece and jewelry retailer Wempe as a master watchmaker in Hamburg, Germany, back in 1987, and he swiftly rose through the ranks before being appointed president of Wempe U.S. in 2002.
This year, Albers fetes his 35th anniversary with the brand—a monumental occasion marked by an already stellar legacy.
Wempe’s Fifth Avenue flagship PHOTO COURTESY OF WEMPE
Wempe’s Fifth Avenue flagship
As president, Albers notably expanded Wempe’s Fifth Avenue flagship, spearheaded the opening of the first U.S. stand-alone Rolex boutique and has been instrumental in raising awareness of the brand’s jewelry line in the U.S. “When I first joined Wempe, watches were the primary focus, and over the years, we’ve become equally known for our incredible offering of the fi nest jewels,” he says. “It’s amazing to see how the category has grown for us, and some of today’s biggest stars wearing our jewelry on the red carpet, including Mariah Carey and Alicia Keys.”
Albers has indeed taken Wempe to new heights—but he’s not done yet. “Reflecting on the past 35 years, what has been accomplished, and the incredible team that has been built at our Fifth Avenue flagship, offering an unparalleled shopping experience at every visit,” he says. “We have several exciting projects in the works, including new jewelry launches and collaborations coming out next year.” 700 Fifth Ave. at 55th Street
