Great UK watch shops.
Great UK watch shops.
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Discussion

anonymous-user

Original Poster:

76 months

Friday 1st February 2019
quotequote all
Today I was in T5 at Heathrow and was looking in watches of Switzerland downstairs, what a great watch shop, rammed full of watches, friendly staff constantly trying to get you to try on watches.

They had loads of Tudor models and IWC, Bremont, omega, panerai (in some weird display cabinet) JLC, breitling and loads of others. I probably saw at least 50 different watches I would be happy to own. So many different brands and watches in one little shop,

Then you walk along to Rolex and it’s off on their own and only got a few bimetal and ladies watches and some gaudy monstrosities covered in diamonds and tat. Rolex are making some great watches but for browsing the shops, they’re a bit rubbish.

Which watch shops in the UK are great for seeing loads of models or just for the experience?

We can maybe start with the uk as most PHers are uk based but if nobody replies then maybe go global. hehe

lostkiwi

4,585 posts

146 months

Friday 1st February 2019
quotequote all
Watches of Switzerland in Birmingham are good as are the Omega shop.
For the mid to low end of the market First Class Watches in Kenilworth. Really friendly and accommodating staff with some of the less common brands:
Mühle Glasshütte (one of my favourites)
Sinn
U-Boat
Ball
Hamilton
Bulova
Certina
Junghans
Ebel
Meister Singer
etc

They'll also negotiate on price.

Probably one of my favourite places to visit.

anonymous-user

Original Poster:

76 months

Friday 1st February 2019
quotequote all
lostkiwi said:
Sinn
I don’t think I’ve ever seen sinn in a shop (apart perhaps from watchfinder)

Are they a sinn dealer?

lostkiwi

4,585 posts

146 months

Friday 1st February 2019
quotequote all
I'd guess so - they're AD for everything else.

From the website:
"ALL OUR WATCHES ARE AUTHENTIC AND ARE SOURCED FROM THE OFFICIAL UK DISTRIBUTION CHANNELS. EVERY WATCH COMES COMPLETE WITH A STAMPED MANUFACTURER'S GUARANTEE, FULL INSTRUCTIONS AND BOX. "

They also let you have the warranty card wink

Edited by lostkiwi on Friday 1st February 20:37

ellroy

7,724 posts

247 months

Friday 1st February 2019
quotequote all
Blowers in Hull usually has a great variety of kit in.

It is in Hull though.

anonymous-user

Original Poster:

76 months

Friday 1st February 2019
quotequote all
ellroy said:
Blowers in Hull usually has a great variety of kit in.

It is in Hull though.
I’d love to check out blowers but I’m never anywhere near hull.

kevbernard

69 posts

222 months

Friday 1st February 2019
quotequote all
I'm afraid I can't contribute a suggestion. But was wondering if anyone could suggest somewhere in the south-west which stock Audemars Piguet?

rich1231

17,339 posts

282 months

Friday 1st February 2019
quotequote all
El stovey said:
Today I was in T5 at Heathrow and was looking in watches of Switzerland downstairs, what a great watch shop, rammed full of watches, friendly staff constantly trying to get you to try on watches.

They had loads of Tudor models and IWC, Bremont, omega, panerai (in some weird display cabinet) JLC, breitling and loads of others. I probably saw at least 50 different watches I would be happy to own. So many different brands and watches in one little shop,

Then you walk along to Rolex and it’s off on their own and only got a few bimetal and ladies watches and some gaudy monstrosities covered in diamonds and tat. Rolex are making some great watches but for browsing the shops, they’re a bit rubbish.

Which watch shops in the UK are great for seeing loads of models or just for the experience?

We can maybe start with the uk as most PHers are uk based but if nobody replies then maybe go global. hehe
The Rolex store is WOS too.

Wills2

27,932 posts

197 months

Friday 1st February 2019
quotequote all
El stovey said:
ellroy said:
Blowers in Hull usually has a great variety of kit in.

It is in Hull though.
I’d love to check out blowers but I’m never anywhere near hull.
Also in Mayfair London.



AJB88

15,017 posts

193 months

Friday 1st February 2019
quotequote all
Don't expect to walk into any Rolex AD and see anything decent other than the usual Datejusts.


Seen a white gold submariner in Rome and Dublin but that's about the max of what I have seen recently.


nikaiyo2

5,689 posts

217 months

Saturday 2nd February 2019
quotequote all
kevbernard said:
I'm afraid I can't contribute a suggestion. But was wondering if anyone could suggest somewhere in the south-west which stock Audemars Piguet?
I think the only U.K. AP dealer is in Harrods

Arranguez

394 posts

95 months

Saturday 2nd February 2019
quotequote all
The Watch Room in Harrods is about the best I’ve ever been to. I’m in the T5 WoS all the time browsing and coveting the Ulysse Nardin I’m getting past procurement.

richthebike

1,753 posts

159 months

Saturday 2nd February 2019
quotequote all
Page and Cooper are excellent. You ring up, get an appointment, pop into their office, and Jonathan or one of the team will show you anything and everything you fancy.

The team are great, lots of tea and biscuits, and Jonathan has fascinating watch chat.

They're in Borehamwood.

ellroy

7,724 posts

247 months

Saturday 2nd February 2019
quotequote all
Wills2 said:
Also in Mayfair London.
Yes, but that’s usually, or used to be at least, to meet punters and show/wrist time of a limited selection rather than the full stock.

hajaba123

1,336 posts

197 months

Saturday 2nd February 2019
quotequote all
nikaiyo2 said:
I think the only U.K. AP dealer is in Harrods
WOS on New Street in Birmingham are, really nice guys in there

lostkiwi

4,585 posts

146 months

Saturday 2nd February 2019
quotequote all
hajaba123 said:
nikaiyo2 said:
I think the only U.K. AP dealer is in Harrods
WOS on New Street in Birmingham are, really nice guys in there
They are indeed AP dealers.

Dempsey1971

383 posts

192 months

Wednesday 6th February 2019
quotequote all
Go to the Burlington Arcade in London (on Piccadilly near the Ritz Hotel)

Some fantastic and rare watches in there. Everything under the sun.

Make sure you have stiff resolve though, you can come out MUCH poorer.

Fullook

900 posts

95 months

Wednesday 6th February 2019
quotequote all
Two shops in Leeds that I would recommend:

1. Owen & Robinson stock some lovely lovely stuff - A Lange & Sohne; Breguet; Vacheron Constantin as well others that I like less, but which are quite special nonetheless - e.g. AP. I've only been in a couple of times and I'm sure they realised I was somewhat out of my depth financially but they couldn't have been friendlier

2. C.W. Sellors / Jura Watches which is my absolute favourite as they stock loads of really interesting smaller brands - Sinn; Damsko; Grand Seiko; Alpina; Junghans; Nomos and loads more. I don't know the name of the main man there but he loves to talk watches if you're in the mood...


blue_haddock

4,806 posts

89 months

Wednesday 6th February 2019
quotequote all
Fullook said:
2. C.W. Sellors / Jura Watches which is my absolute favourite as they stock loads of really interesting smaller brands - Sinn; Damsko; Grand Seiko; Alpina; Junghans; Nomos and loads more. I don't know the name of the main man there but he loves to talk watches if you're in the mood...
They have several stores around the peak district as well which hold some great stock too.

Mr Pointy

12,762 posts

181 months

Wednesday 6th February 2019
quotequote all
Dempsey1971 said:
Go to the Burlington Arcade in London (on Piccadilly near the Ritz Hotel)

Some fantastic and rare watches in there. Everything under the sun.

Make sure you have stiff resolve though, you can come out MUCH poorer.
Grossly overpriced though.