Independent watch brand Nomadic Watches has opened its first flagship store in Belfast city centre. Located at 9 Donegall Square East, adjacent to Belfast City Hall, the store introduces a retail format not previously seen in Belfast, combining retail with a working watch studio.
An Open Workshop and Transparent Production
The central feature of the new store is an open-plan watchmaking studio, where visitors can observe timepieces being assembled and fine-tuned in real time. Separated by a glass partition, the watchmakers’ bench is designed to allow customers visibility into the mechanical assembly process of Nomadic’s core collection—including models such as the Maraí 401, Turas 914, Fíor 555, and Cíor 928.
Nomadic’s founder, Peter McAuley, described the store as a space intended for more than just product sales. “Having a flagship location like this has been an ambition of ours since starting Nomadic. I firmly believe that in a world filled with ‘Artificial Intelligence’, people value a meaningful in person experience more than ever. Speaking face to face with an expert, getting hands on with a watch and immersing themselves in an incredible retail environment is not something you can replicate online. We see this space as less about retail and more about connecting with people. That’s why we designed this space in collaboration with Crown Creative who are world class in the hospitality sector. This store is the realization of that vision, and I can’t wait to bring this experience to the Belfast high street—with plans to expand to other cities around the world.”
References to Local Heritage
The store interior, developed in collaboration with hospitality design studio Crown Creative, includes elements referencing Belfast’s industrial past. One such feature is a full-size propeller sculpture referencing the SS Nomadic, connecting the brand to Belfast’s maritime heritage. The sculpture was designed by Geraldine Owens, a set designer known for her work on Game of Thrones.
The company has invested over £1 million in the project and aims to increase production capacity from 2,000 units annually in 2025 to 5,000 units by 2027.
Limited Editions Released for Store Launch
To mark the opening, Nomadic is releasing exclusive, individually numbered models available only at the Belfast location. These include two 1-of-1 “Watchmaker’s Edition” pieces crafted from Damascus steel, featuring manual-wind movements with decorated bridges—demonstrating the use of traditional mechanical watchmaking techniques.
The store is open Monday through Saturday from 10am to 5pm, with visitors able to view the watchmaking process and speak with in-house watchmakers during store hours.
