Have you been to an AD?
I’ve never stepped foot in an AD, even to browse. I don’t have much free time to visit malls, which is where the closest ADs are to me (King of Prussia Mall in PA, actually) and all my browsing is limited to looking at your stuff here in WC, reading blogs and browsing Chrono24. A shame because I feel like I’m missing out on a whole part of this watch world we reside in.
I rarely ever get to see anything but Apple Watches in person (I’ve seen 2 Monaco’s in real life, one on a flight and another in traffic), and I would like to find the time to actually visit these stores and try on a bunch of beautiful watches, see these “fetish items” in the metal, but it just doesn’t seem in the cards any time soon. I also feel like I’d stumble across something and drive myself crazy not being able to pull the trigger and take it home haha.
So yeah, do you visit your local ADs with any kind of regularity? Do you visit any other places such as grey market retailers? Thoughts, feelings, emotions??
I'm a familiar face (if not necessarily a welcome one) at many ADs near me.
This sounds truly strange to me 😮 I don't visit ADs all the time, but there are least five or six good ones nearby (about 5 minute walk from where I work), which stock all the major brands, from Rolex, PP, Ulysse Nardin, Omega, GO, Panerai etc. to JLC, IWC, GS...which I stop by sometimes, and there are many more shops selling Citizen, Seiko etc. For a brand like Mido or Squale I'd have to travel a bit farther (about an hour, hour and a half). Especially for a large purchase I want to see and feel the watch / would not buy it if only seen online.
I have visited a Seiko boutique in Amsterdam. Nice people, not pushing anything. Had to see the Blue Ocean line. Good experience.
I’ll swing by my AD when I’m in the neighborhood. They carry Rolex, Omega, Tudor, Brietling, Oris, TAG & Frédérique Constant along with pre-owned / estate pieces. I kick the tires and get new ideas on what I like and rarely feel any pressure to buy. I’d recommend making the trip and trying on a bunch of watches, taking note of what you like and refining your taste. That way when you do pull the trigger you’ll have no regrets!
I’ll pop in occasionally when I’m at the mall. I like to see things in person when I can. Rolex displays have obviously been empty for years (unless you’re looking for a 26mm Datejust). Everything else is in full supply.
I stop by the Seiko boutique every now and then to try new releases and drool over GS models out of my price range. Friendly staff, excited to talk about the watches even if I only bought from the boutique once.
I also swing by the Tudor and Omega boutiques to do some window shopping but never bothered the staff to try something I have no genuine interest in buying anyway.
I swing by my Seiko/Tissot/Hamilton/Citizen/Luminox AD I'd say fairly often
Pop into Cambridge occasionally for a snout, but buy online...
I've been in a few times but only if there's a reason to visit.
It's not like wandering into the local art galleries which we do all the time because there's always something new to look at. All the art dealers know us by name and many know what we like and what we have. This makes for an enjoyable visit even if we're just popping in because we have a spare 30 mins on parking. They're happy enough to chat over a coffee.
There's a T Galleria here with some ADs. I like to go there to window shop, but that's the extent of it.
First off shouts to KoP mall! I grew up in the area. My brother lives in Philly still, working as a barista with a Brew Watch I gave him a few months ago. Second, I say go check those guys out. The sales people are a mixed bag, some will be nerds like us, others are just folks good at retail that used to sell cars and now they sell watches and they just want your money and that’s fine, after all you just want their watches…I don’t go in often, I’m not pestering anyone but if I’m curious how a new piece looks and I may buy one in the next few months I want to try it on. A lot of these stores may offer a used section as well and I love a good bargain.