Watch giant Swatch Group has teamed up with retailer Tourneau to launch a chain of watch stores in high-end malls in the US. The companies announced on Thursday that they will do business under the Tourneau name, with stores planned for locations including Los Angeles and Las Vegas.

Swatch Group owns many luxury watch brands including Breguet, Blancpain and Omega, which feature a range of 18-carat gold timepieces. Robert Wexler, chief executive of Tourneau, commented: "We are delighted to be taking the watch category into this arena offering a multibrand experience in partnership with the Swatch Groups many brands."

Tourneau operates 22 stores in the US and the Caribbean and recently announced that it would open 30 stores in the Far East over the coming five years together with Peace Mark and International Watch Group. The company also holds the Guinness world record for the largest watch store. Its Tourneau Time Dome in Las Vegas covers some 17,000 feet.