A Trip to the Abt Time Boutique

For those who don’t know, Abt is a huge company based in Glenview, Illinois (outside Chicago) that is best known for selling electronics and appliances. However, they also have a rather interesting collection of timepieces that includes popular affordable brands like G-shock and Hamilton as well as entry-level finer timepieces like Baume et Mercier, Longines, and Oris. You can check out their brands here: https://www.abt.com/Watches/c/995.html

I had the opportunity to visit the watch boutique today and try on a number of watches that I have been curious about and seen in the forums. I highly recommend stopping by if you want to actually try on some watches you have seen on the web. The boutique was not busy at all, even on a Saturday, and I was given attention immediately upon walking in. They also have free cookies across the atrium on the weekends!

The watches: I was most interested in checking out some Baume et Mercier watches (Richmond group’s entry brand) as I bought my wife a quartz Hampton model for her birthday that she loves and wanted to try the men’s automatic model for myself. I was also intrigued by the Clifton Baumatic with the in-house movement and 5-day power reserve. I got to try on the milanese mesh Hampton and a white dial Clifton on a steel bracelet. 
 

After trying Baume et Mercier, I moved on to Longines and tried a few models from the spirit collection as well as a dolce vita rectangular model. 

I then moved on to Oris and tried an aquis, one of the new propilots, a rectangular, and a watch I had never heard of before, the chronoris.

Although I have tried them before, I also tried on two Hamilton khaki field models, the mechanical with green dial and one of the newer titanium models. I also tried the Aviation pioneer model with the bizarre bezel with less than 60 clicks. 
 

I finished off by trying a Rado Captain Cook. I’ve never really been interested in this watch, but I figured I would try it on since so many people love it. 
 

Overall, it was great to try on so many watches. It reinforces how important it is to try watches on before buying. Pictures and web descriptions just don’t cut it. If you are going to make a decent size watch purchase, I highly recommend trying on the watch before buying and seeing what it looks like in the flesh as opposed to in a professional marketing shot. It’s also great just to try watches on and learn more about what sizes, shapes, brands and features you like. I’m looking forward to trying on more watches next week at Watches and Wonders. 

Unfortunately, my other main takeaway from this trip is that once you try on or own a luxury watch, it can be hard to appreciate more affordable models. After trying on a JLC Reverso, the rectangular models from B&M, Oris, and Longines just didn’t seem very appealing. Since I purchased an IWC last year, I also notice the difference in quality and finishing on more affordable watches (particularly those with bracelets). This trip seems to be pushing me up market, which is unfortunate because I can’t afford to purchase $5k-$10k watches on a regular basis. 
 

I added a separate post on rectangular watches, but I am happy to share details on any of the watches I tried on if someone sends me a message. Alternatively, let’s talk in person in Chicago next weekend at Windup Watch Fair.