Mappin & Webb
Watches of Switzerland Group · United Kingdom
Mappin & Webb is a British jeweller and silversmith founded in Sheffield in 1775, now owned by Watches of Switzerland Group. It has held a royal warrant since 1897 and has its headquarters in London.
| Founded | 1775, Sheffield |
|---|---|
| Founder | Jonathan Mappin |
| Owner | Watches of Switzerland Group |
| Headquarters | London, United Kingdom |
| Royal Warrant | Since 1897 |
| Segment | Jewellery and silverware |
| Website | mappinandwebb.com |
What is Mappin & Webb?
Mappin & Webb is a British jeweller founded in 1775 as a silver workshop in Sheffield by Jonathan Mappin. It started with silverware, candelabras and vanity products and later moved into jewellery. Its headquarters are in London.
History
The first London store opened on Oxford Street in 1860, and in 1862 the business was renamed Mappin, Webb & Co. It received its first UK Royal Warrant in 1897, which it has held since. It expanded internationally from the 1890s, with stores in places such as Johannesburg, Buenos Aires and Hong Kong, but all international stores had closed by the late 20th century. In 1959 Sears gained control and acquired Garrard, the Crown Jeweller. In 1990 it was sold to Asprey plc, and in 1998 it was acquired by Judith Pilkington together with Watches of Switzerland. Between 2005 and 2009 it passed through Baugur Group, Goldsmiths and Aurum Group, and in 2013 Aurum Holdings was acquired by an investment fund affiliated with Apollo Global Management.
Ownership
Wikipedia names Watches of Switzerland Group PLC as the current owner. The parent company was renamed in 2018 and floated on the London Stock Exchange in 2019.
Business model and distribution
Mappin & Webb operates retail stores across the UK. The sources reviewed do not give a store count or online sales figures, so none are stated here.
Why it matters
Mappin & Webb is among the oldest names in British jewellery and is entangled in the histories of Garrard and Asprey. Wikipedia states that master craftsman Mark Appleby is the current Crown Jeweller of the United Kingdom, a point that has not been verified for 2026 and relates to the royal craftsman role rather than to the company's management.
Frequently asked questions
Who owns Mappin & Webb?
Mappin & Webb is owned by Watches of Switzerland Group PLC, according to Wikipedia. The group floated on the London Stock Exchange in 2019.
Where is Mappin & Webb from?
Mappin & Webb is from England. It began in Sheffield in 1775 and is now based in London.