Watch shop dislikes

Does anyone else get turned off by the way many shops display and present watches? 

I am not a fan of how many shops (not all) display watches like a diamond ring… mirrors, bright lights, and handled with white gloves. That type of environment makes watches seem too precious and shinny… so, so shinny (in a literal sense). It’s just not my cup of tea 🍵. 

Is there something else you dislike (besides waitlists 😉)?

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It’s a tough balance. For many, spending this amount they want it to feel special. Champagne, sit down, a presentation of watches, etc. Most of these are consumers vs enthusiasts and whether we like it or not, they are the ones paying full price for pieces that can be had for 30% off elsewhere.  They are the one watch type and are none the wiser.  In that window alone, Breitling, IWC, and Tag; All brands that get dumped on the likes of Jomashop. 

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An interesting question. 

I don't normally buy from blingy watch shops but, a couple of years ago, I was shopping with my wife and wandered past a high end jewellers. Being a watch geek I had no option but to stop and press my nose against the glass! Amongst the Rolexes and holy trinity watches was a shelf of used ones including a well priced Tag Monaco (probably the cheapest watch in the shop...). 

The rather large security guard let me in and we were immediately ushered to a table, offered a glass of champagne and out came the white gloves. Basically, I was treated every bit as well as someone who was there to buy any other watch in the shop and left, quite some time later, with my new watch, having had a very nice buying experience. 

I can see why the more well healed amongst us would buy their watches this way. 

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I find this completely right. Watches are luxury goods, no one needs one, especially not at that price^^. It is jewelry for guys.

At prices of more than 1k€ it should feel like luxury for the ones that buy the watches. If you save for such an item or you want to celebrate an event like a promotion or anniversary, you want also that buying experience at the AD.

What I find it really important that the sales persons treats everyone like a "king". I had in the past experiences with sales persons that were very snobbish and unfriendly. Never bought something at that ADs. I think the buying experience should be a joy for everyone, independent if you buy a Tudor or a Patek. 

The buying experience is the USP of an AD, otherwise I can order it online...

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I am a magpie, so I‘m already in there whilst you’re debating this. 
I might not be there to buy but I get to stare at all the shiny shiny. Come pick me up in an hour.

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In the city I live there are two specialist watch shops. One low end (H.M.Samuel), one high end which is all bling, Rolex and stuff. I kind of like neither. The bling shop treats watches like jewlry only, the low-end shop is filled with fashion watches, and the odd Seiko or Casio.

In the city I grew up there is a shop that gets the high-end right. It's a Wempe. Yes, it's high-end stuff, Patek Philippe, ALS etc. although starting at Junghans and co, but it's watches that are the focus in their display, not bling.

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I hate lighting setups in watch shops, especially high end ones. They're generally warm in color and either too bright or dim that it's difficult to appreciate how a watch really is in person. 

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I hate the prices.  I want my Tag Heuer Monaco (Steve McQueen) grail watch to be £50 not £5500.

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If I'm buying a luxury watch I want a luxurious AD or boutique experience.  Bling, bubbles and butt-kissing.

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Never buy from shops as I usually buy used cause I don't want the depreciation hit. 👍

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Been at a boutique the last time about 3 years ago. The security was a little weird, but maybe that is necessary these days. Service was friendly, but the selection was not what I had hoped for. The lighting was not unusual. It really wasn't much of an experience, neither in a positive or negative way.

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uhrensohn

In the city I live there are two specialist watch shops. One low end (H.M.Samuel), one high end which is all bling, Rolex and stuff. I kind of like neither. The bling shop treats watches like jewlry only, the low-end shop is filled with fashion watches, and the odd Seiko or Casio.

In the city I grew up there is a shop that gets the high-end right. It's a Wempe. Yes, it's high-end stuff, Patek Philippe, ALS etc. although starting at Junghans and co, but it's watches that are the focus in their display, not bling.

Have you been in Goldsmiths? Went in there the first time today, security guard opened the door for me and everyone called me sir. I was thinking "I sodding like this!"

I‘ve had mixed experiences at AD’s although as someone else mentioned I usually buy used to avoid the instant depreciation and I’m not simping for hype pieces. I tried on a JLC Reverso at an AD in Dallas whilst traveling - if I had the money I would have bought it immediately. The salesman was very friendly and made excellent conversation as I tried on many pieces I’d heard of and some I hadn’t. He was genuinely sharing the joy of the watches with me even though I had told him upfront I was unlikely to buy anything that day. 
 

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Scooby

Have you been in Goldsmiths? Went in there the first time today, security guard opened the door for me and everyone called me sir. I was thinking "I sodding like this!"

I think Goldsmiths is the high-end watch shop in my city. Never been inside, the window display has put me off. On their website they have a few brands I'd be interested in, e.g. Nomos, Certina, Montblanc, Junghans, Baume & Mercier, but I'm not so sure our shop has any of those.

On their website they split watch companies into "luxury" and "designer"  - which apparently is the kind of thing Seiko and Citizen are making.

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seniorrapido

I hate lighting setups in watch shops, especially high end ones. They're generally warm in color and either too bright or dim that it's difficult to appreciate how a watch really is in person. 

Agreed. I tend to rely on images from watch media (Hodinkee, Time & Tide, etc.) and Instagram to understand how the watch will look in the real world. 

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uhrensohn

I think Goldsmiths is the high-end watch shop in my city. Never been inside, the window display has put me off. On their website they have a few brands I'd be interested in, e.g. Nomos, Certina, Montblanc, Junghans, Baume & Mercier, but I'm not so sure our shop has any of those.

On their website they split watch companies into "luxury" and "designer"  - which apparently is the kind of thing Seiko and Citizen are making.

I shan't lie to you mate I went in to see if they had any Seiko 5s in store I can't afford their "luxury" ones 😂

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Scooby

I shan't lie to you mate I went in to see if they had any Seiko 5s in store I can't afford their "luxury" ones 😂

Just went to the shop to see what collection they've got, it's just 5 minutes walk from my place. Inside the shop they had a display case of Longines, which is as downmarket as they are prepared to go, apparently.

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The problem stores have is in trying to cater to groups of people that want vastly different - often opposing - things.  Some demand that porter/guard opening the door etc, others (like me) simply wont do business like that.  Some demand the sit at a desk and bring me stuff while talking in hushed tones, other want a more freewheeling exchange.  I routinely find myself thinking that what others think of as luxury I absolutely abhor and don't want to be subjected to.

There's a store in my town with two outlets - one in a casino another on a street with lots of other watch stores.  I've noticed completely different approaches between the two stores, the casino is much more 'buttoned up' non-watch folk buying luxury with winnings (or left overs) the watch district store is infinitely more enthusiast friendly.  Maybe that's really the only way that works.

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Pascal

I find this completely right. Watches are luxury goods, no one needs one, especially not at that price^^. It is jewelry for guys.

At prices of more than 1k€ it should feel like luxury for the ones that buy the watches. If you save for such an item or you want to celebrate an event like a promotion or anniversary, you want also that buying experience at the AD.

What I find it really important that the sales persons treats everyone like a "king". I had in the past experiences with sales persons that were very snobbish and unfriendly. Never bought something at that ADs. I think the buying experience should be a joy for everyone, independent if you buy a Tudor or a Patek. 

The buying experience is the USP of an AD, otherwise I can order it online...

I totally agree but the problem is what defines a 'luxury' experience.  For example being treated like a King IS NOT A LUXURY - for me.  I want to be treated as a peer - as an equal - being respected but not fawned over.