OUR HERITAGE

At Michael Spiers, the South West is not just where we are, it is a part of who we are. What began as a family-run shop has evolved over six decades into a name trusted across Cornwall, Devon, and Somerset. With elegant Showrooms in Truro, Plymouth, Exeter, and Taunton, we are in ‘the business of happy occasions’... proud to celebrate all of life’s magical moments.

1957 - 1970

1957

Our story begins in the beautiful coastal town of Looe, Cornwall, where the late Michael Spiers opened a modest antique shop. It was not long before his passion for diamonds, precious gemstones, and fine jewellery took centre stage, and the business naturally evolved in that direction.

Michael Spiers 1957 Antique Shop

1962

As tourism grew with more families visiting the South West, a second jewellery shop opened in the nearby village of Polperro, Cornwall, marking the beginning of our growth over the region.

1964

Michael Cox started working with Michael Spiers during holidays from Art College.

1966

Keith White left London to join his brother-in-law, Michael Spiers, in the business.

1969

Michael Spiers opened his third location, a new showroom in the heart of Plymouth.

Michael Spiers 1969 Plymouth Showroom

Committed to excellence

From the very beginning, our vision has been clear: to pursue excellence in everything we do. Whether it is the craftsmanship of our jewellery, our brand partners, or the elegance of our showroom experience, our commitment to delivering uncompromising service remains as strong today as it was on day one.

1971 - 1980

1970s

The decade saw continued growth with the opening of additional showrooms in Newquay and Paignton, bringing our exceptional service and craftsmanship to more of the South West.

In the Press

As we grew, we started to enter the press. Through new advertising and articles written about our incredible team and their jewellery and watch expertise, we started to become a household name in the South West.

1981 - 2000

1980

We opened a new showroom in Truro, the capital of Cornwall.

1985

A 16-year-old James Walker joined Michael Spiers Truro on the Youth Training Scheme (YTS) on £26.25 a week. The YTS was launched in 1983 by Margaret Thatcher's government, as a flagship initiative to combat high youth unemployment by offering 16-17 year-olds one to two years of workplace training.

1986

A milestone year: Michael Spiers acquired respected jewellers, Bowden & Sons in Plymouth and became an official retailer of Rolex, a prestigious partnership that continues to this day.

1989

We acquired Somerset County Jewellers, Leath in Taunton.

1994

Our Truro showroom was appointed as an official Rolex retailer, reinforcing our commitment to excellence in luxury watchmaking.

1996

Adam Spiers, son of our founder, joined the family business, ushering in a new generation of leadership.

1999

We proudly opened our Exeter showroom on Castle Street, expanding into Devon’s capital. That same year, we sadly marked the passing of our founder, Michael Spiers, leaving behind a legacy of excellence, integrity, and passion.


A Growing Brand

The branding of Michael Spiers has evolved over the years, but our focus has always remained the same: helping people celebrate life’s most magical moments. The opening of our Exeter Jewellery Showroom marked a significant milestone, creating a space where clients could immerse themselves in a world of luxury.

2000 - 2025

2007

Director and certified gemologist Michael Cox was appointed to the World Diamond Bourse, an international recognition of expertise and professionalism.

2011

We were proud to be appointed as an official retailer of the prestigious Swiss watchmaker, Patek Philippe, in our Truro showroom.

2015

The Exeter showroom moved to a larger, more prominent location on Cathedral Green, offering an elevated shopping experience.

In the same year, we became a Rolex-accredited service centre, ensuring expert aftercare from our own workshops in Plymouth.

2016

Michael Spiers was honoured as a national finalist in WatchPro Magazine’s Independent Luxury Watch Retailer of the Year category, a proud moment for our team and a testament to our dedication.

2019

James Walker was appointed to the Board of Directors.

2020

Amid the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic, Michael Spiers remained resilient and forward-thinking. During lockdown, we began transforming our showrooms to offer an even more luxurious experience for our customers, starting with the complete refurbishment of our Truro showroom.

2021

We acquired a new premises in Plymouth, just outside the Drake Circus Shopping Centre.

2022

We completed the development of our new Plymouth showroom. Our old showroom was then transformed into our Head Office.

2023

After 34 years in Taunton, we relocated our showroom to a far larger, new contemporary space. This move marked a new chapter, with a beautifully expanded environment designed to reflect the luxury and sophistication synonymous with Michael Spiers.

2024

Our most ambitious project to date was completed in 2024 with the expansion of our Exeter showroom. Now spanning two floors, it showcases an exceptional collection of the world’s most prestigious jewellery and Swiss watch brands.

Sadly this year marked the passing of Michael Cox.

2025

2025 marked the sad loss of our beloved Chairman, Keith White MBE. Keith dedicated almost 60 years of his life to the Michael Spiers family, leaving behind a legacy that will forever shape who we are today.

"We are in the business of happy occasions"

Keith White MBE - Chairman

Keith White MBE Michael Spiers