London watch shops

[Jonny TVR]

Its my sons 18th soon and I want to spend around £2.5k on a watch for him. He doesn't know which so we want to visit somewhere to try some on when we are in London on Friday. Probably pre-owned Omega, Tudor etc. Any recommendations on where best to visit/ ideally buy from?

[Coxey]

Burlington Arcade maybe

[Mr Pointy]

Coxey said:

Burlington Arcade maybe

Not a good idea; many find it very overpriced.

[lauda]

Dominic Hackett has had consistently good feedback from posters on here for years now. I bought from him many years ago and got a 20% discount on a new watch I was after. His place is in Hatton Garden.

https://www.hackettwatches.com/

[Jonny TVR]

lauda said:

Dominic Hackett has had consistently good feedback from posters on here for years now. I bought from him many years ago and got a 20% discount on a new watch I was after. His place is in Hatton Garden.

https://www.hackettwatches.com/

He doesn't seem to have much choice though at this level

[Dg504]

Watches of Swiss at Broadgate/behind Liverpool Street has plenty to look at - not much pre-owned though I don’t think

[Southernjock]

Worth a look here perhaps.

https://watchesofmayfair.com/

[don logan]

watches.co.uk are actualy a physical shop in Chiswick

[ManfredvonRichthofen]

I think Grays Antiques market behind Bond Street tube has some sellers. Weirdly closed on a weekend. It is not far from Burlington arcade, Watches of Mayfair and some of the standard retailers. I think Hatton Garden likely has a few sellers too

[BoRED S2upid]

Does he actually want a watch OP? I had one for my 18th it sat in a draw for 10 years.

[12TS]

Hatton garden. But it may be too high end. Didn’t think Dom had a shop as such, but he uses a base in Hatton Garden

[Mezzanine]

I am a big fan of Kibble Watches.

They have a great variety of second-hand and nearly new watches (it’s not all Rolex and Omega).

Not a shop, but a discreet office near to Hatton Garden.

You can make an appointment and James would be happy to let you try on whatever he has in stock.

Also Dom Hackett. If he doesn’t have what you are after, I am pretty sure he can either find it or point you in the right direction of someone who does.

[cinque]

If you're not sure what he wants, Selfridges is a decent place to have a window shop and try a few different brands on.

Last time i was in there, Bucherer had a pre-owned stand with some decent bits in.

You've also got a watches of Switzerland and a Tudor and an Omega shop opposite and a few boutique places down Bond Street.

[Pupp]

ManfredvonRichthofen said:

I think Grays Antiques market behind Bond Street tube has some sellers. Weirdly closed on a weekend. It is not far from Burlington arcade, Watches of Mayfair and some of the standard retailers. I think Hatton Garden likely has a few sellers too

Was there in the early spring to follow up on a Franck Muller advertised on Chrono24. Vendor was a nice guy and, as far as I could tell, completely legit; but stalls were sparsely populated (seemed like appointment only for many), and there was not that much on display for a walk-in customer in my experience.

I’ve always found London disappointing TBH on the used offer (maybe more my unfamiliarity), but have bought a couple of pieces from Watch Club and looked at stuff at Watch Centre (careful with the spelling).

A guy I have bought from with good experience was in Oxford - Chrono Watch; might be worth a look if the provinces are accessible

[jules_s]

Blowers are worth a shout - again not a 'shop' (some of the best used dealers don't have them)

https://www.blowers-jewellers.co.uk/tudor-watches/

[the-norseman]

For 2.7k 2 years ago you could of gotten a new Omega Seamaster 300m or Tudor GMT (I bought both new for around 2.7k) but now both are 3k+

Go have a look in the Tudor AD in Harrods (amongst the other AD's there) quite a few of their watches are under 2.5k. Brother in law got the Tudor 1926 41mm recently, think around £1700.

[MarcelM6]

Burlington arcade is very good (albeit pricy). Royal arcade is around the corner.

Dom doesn't have a shop you can pop in to, but is based in Hatton gardens where there are others.

Watchfinder in Royal exchange, if you see something on their website ask them to get it to that branch to view.

For pre-owned Omega, Somlo in Burlington arcade is a fab place to start

[Stedman]

ManfredvonRichthofen said:

I think Grays Antiques market behind Bond Street tube has some sellers. Weirdly closed on a weekend. It is not far from Burlington arcade, Watches of Mayfair and some of the standard retailers. I think Hatton Garden likely has a few sellers too

Simon at Regal Time in Grays is great. Maybe worth a call or email, though

[Gazzab]

lauda said:

Dominic Hackett has had consistently good feedback from posters on here for years now. I bought from him many years ago and got a 20% discount on a new watch I was after. His place is in Hatton Garden.

https://www.hackettwatches.com/

A bit of a mark up but I guess he needs to make a profit. £3.5k for a tudor that can be had for £500 less in an AD.

[the-norseman]

has the Tudor AD actually got it in stock though? walk in and ask to purchase it, bet there is a few weeks wait as its a fairly new model.