For visitors to New York City, there can be few better mementoes to bring back from one of the world’s shopping meccas than a luxury watch.
A Rolex Cosmograph, one of the most iconic Rolex watches ever (Photo: nicholasputz via Flickr / CC BY-ND 2.0)
Embodying the epitome of craftsmanship, luxury watches continue to be among our most cherished possessions. But given their typically high cost, getting your hands on the right one (or should that that be getting the right one on your hand?) requires a fair amount of research. If you’re in New York City and would like to find a showroom selling luxury watches and with staff able to help you make your selection, we’ve picked out three of the city’s best jewellery stores to head to.
Watches of Switzerland
After opening its doors in SoHo back in 2018, on the site of an original store ironworks building, this New York showroom became the latest addition to the growing franchise of Watches of Switzerland retail outlets selling exclusively Swiss-made timepieces. Featuring high ceilings, wood floors, ornate columns and exposed brick spread across two floors, throughout its impressive confines is a huge collection of watches by over 15 leading Swiss brands including Rolex, Jaeger-LeCoultre, Cartier and Omega, among others. Along with its assortment of vintage timepieces, the store also attracts discerning shoppers with its in-house cocktail bar, curated library of collectible watch books and photographic artwork available for purchase.
William Bartham
A renowned fine watches and jewelry retailer since 1884, William Bartham have two New York showrooms – one in Manhattan and the other in Brooklyn. The Brooklyn space, in particular, has become a prestigious source for high-end jewelry since opening its doors in 1998, spread over 5,000 square feet of retail space in the upscale shopping district of King’s Highway. But it’s fair to say that both stores have grown to be among the go-to places for those seeking luxury watches, with each housing an impressive collection of models including new Rolex models, fully certified pre-owned versions, and models by notable watch-making names including Breitling, Hublot and TUDOR.
OMI Jewelry
Founded in 2013, OMI Jewelry rapidly became a reputable source for gorgeous jewelry and high-end timepieces that can be passed down the generations, all backed by a friendly and knowledgeable team. Their boutique store on West 46th Street sells a huge choice of fine watches, including many classic, vintage and antique models by the likes of Cartier and Rolex, as well as newer types, too. Diamonds are at the heart of OMI Jewelry, and among their USPs is the option to customise watches by augmenting them with diamonds, including on their bezels, dials, bracelets and clasps.