Truth.

robdominic

In Defense Of Brick And Mortar — Why Buying Watches In Person Beats Buying Online

✓ Where do you buy your watches? ✓ Do you buy them online or at a physical store? ✓ Daan tells you why he prefers an old-fashioned shop ✓

www.fratellowatches.com

This has absolutely paid off for me in many ways.

#general #watch #watchcollecting #authoriseddealer
Reply
hbein2022
·

That's an interesting question. My first watch purchases were naturally all at brick and mortar stores. Grandma bought me my first two watches at Wempe. I remember the staff being friendly and helpful, despite us buying some of the less expensive watches they carried. 

I only started buying watches online as retail locations closed, or rather moved into the luxury segment. I can still buy luxury watches in person where I live, with the exception of a few mid-tier microbrands, but the regular mid-tier manufacturers are simple not present in my region in any type of retail environment. (The same goes for watchmaking by the way. I have to either perform these tasks myself or send the watch to a service center.)

Should I feel the need for a luxury watch, I would certainly buy it at a store, as for that significant of a purchase I have to make sure I like the actual watch.

valleykilmers
·

I’ve gotten pieces from both and outside of a relationship to “play the game” and get on the list for highly sought after pieces, I prefer not in person if possible. 

I’ve had some poor experiences with snobby and uneducated sales people at ADs and while I agree, it IS helpful to try on and see the watch in person, it’s put me off. I live in a large city not called Amsterdam or Paris and maybe it’s partly me too. Even with cars, I do as much research online as possible first so I have to spend the least time at the dealer negotiating and signing. 

Public watch fairs are amazing and unpretentious and usually very welcoming. These can be a better option to try and see lots of brands that don’t rhyme right wholex or prudor.