[GoodWatch]

You purchased a watch in a brick-and-mortar store? For me it was last year when I bought a Swatch MoonSwatch and this was just because there was no other choice. The watch before that was in 2000. From that year on, all my watch purchases were on-line. Mainly because the watches I have an interest in are not main stream. Micro brands do not have actual stores but only trade on-line. Is there a risk? Some but up until now the few issues I had with watches were resolved. As many manufacturers reside In China, you have to be patient because of shipping times. However, the same goes for higher end brands like Ebel in some cases. My girlfriend's Ebel suddenly dropped and indice which came detached from the dial. It had to be shipped to Switzerland to have the dial replaced (under warranty) and this took over two weeks. No difference here.

So, what is your experience?

 

[HobHoner]

Does a phone order to a brick-and-mortar shop count? I purchased my Maurice Lacroix Aikon from an AD located in Florida recommended to me by a friend. My last walk-in purchase was from a watch store in the Los Angeles jewelry district where I purchased a vintage Rolex Day Date and purchased a new Seiko Black Monster as a present for my dad.

 

[GoodWatch]

Does a phone order to a brick-and-mortar shop count? I purchased my Maurice Lacroix Aikon from an AD located in Florida recommended to me by a friend. My last walk-in purchase was from a watch store in the Los Angeles jewelry district where I purchased a vintage Rolex Day Date and purchased a new Seiko Black Monster as a present for my dad.

As long as you walked into a store it counts. But when was this? yesterday or a year agao?

 

[HobHoner]

As long as you walked into a store it counts. But when was this? yesterday or a year agao?

The ML Aikon I purchased in 2018 and the Rolex I purchased probably at the end of the 90s.

 

[AranaWhite]

In '98 I bought a Seiko Kinetic Sport 100 in JCP, (exceptional build, dial, and bracelet). That was when I loved watches and didn't think about them too much. My first watch was in 2015 from an enthusiast collector, in person. Then in 2018 at Kohl's another seiko, sto turtle. That's it, I've been in shops but haven't found what I wanted. A couple of shops could have sold me a BB steel, but neither of them knew when they would get one, some months after I had it, one shop called me.

There's only one watch I'm interested in that a shop may be able to get, but I'm not likely to get it.

 

[greatpotfarm]

About a month ago, I bought 2 mechanical timexes at 50 cents each from the local thrift shop. One was a late 60s in beautiful shape. Sometimes the watch bin has minors treasures hidden amongst quartz chaff.

 

[AtomicTom]

Alright this is a really fantastic question and topic Frans, yowza
thanks so so much for thinking to ask this !!! 🥇😀

What’s crazy is I actually cannot for the life of me remember the
last time I bought a watch from a brick and mortar store. 😊 The
last time just may have been in the late 90’s though I am thinking.
And it might have been a Fossil Watch if I recall that we picked
up at Macy’s. 🙂 That’s literally the last time I remember taking
a trip to a store to get a watch.

I feel bad about it too, but for the most part stores don’t seem to
have that great of a selection and the brands they have are always
limited too. ..So even though we might want to go to a store or a
watch store, they just don’t compare to going and shopping online.

Everything from selection to prices aren’t as good most of the time
in a brick and mortar store. It’s unfortunately the way it is. Unless
you really know what you want, or price doesn’t matter then you
might visit places in person. But otherwise it sounds like so many
of us just shop online for watches.

 

[#four]

I’ve owned probably 200 + watches over the years, and I’ve NEVER purchased one from a Brick & Mortar store….and I never will. The internet is all I need.

Important Note: I finally came to my senses and currently own a manageable 20 something watches

 

[Roarry]

The last watch I purchased from an actual store was a year & a bit ago. It was my Omega Speedy Professional Sapphire
Sandwich. About 6 weeks ago, I bought a Sinn U1 Full Teg on bracelet online. I would have got it in person but this model was impossible to find in a store, so I ordered it from WatchBuys. My micro brands obviously are ordered off the net.
By far my preference is in person at my AD. It's a very large place which carries about 30+ brands. I've dealt with them for over 20 years. Their service is amazing & they can usually get me something that they don't carry. Also, I get a discount on everything. It's an hours drive away but I rather enjoy the outings. I only buy new & up until January of 2022, I never sold. I have managed to move about 70 pieces. Unlike #four, the number of watches I currently have is not yet manageable. 😄

 

[GoodWatch]

The last watch I purchased from an actual store was a year & a bit ago. It was my Omega Speedy Professional Sapphire
Sandwich. About 6 weeks ago, I bought a Sinn U1 Full Teg on bracelet online. I would have got it in person but this model was impossible to find in a store, so I ordered it from WatchBuys. My micro brands obviously are ordered off the net.
By far my preference is in person at my AD. It's a very large place which carries about 30+ brands. I've dealt with them for over 20 years. Their service is amazing & they can usually get me something that they don't carry. Also, I get a discount on everything. It's an hours drive away but I rather enjoy the outings. I only buy new & up until January of 2022, I never sold. I have managed to move about 70 pieces. Unlike #four, the number of watches I currently have is not yet manageable. 😄

If a store existed that sold a great number of micro brands (without a huge markup) I certainly would go there because that is my preference as well. Speaking with a knowledgeable salesperson, trying on various models and having a cup of coffee beats sitting in front of a computer screen

 

[Reflex]

Never bought in a store

 

[Roarry]

If a store existed that sold a great number of micro brands (without a huge markup) I certainly would go there because that is my preference as well. Speaking with a knowledgeable salesperson, trying on various models and having a cup of coffee beats sitting in front of a computer screen

For sure! I must note that my G Shocks were all purchased online from G Shock.

 

[enricosonic]

I remember as a child picking out a Timex watch from Sears. This was nearly 50 years ago though.

 

[GoodWatch]

I remember as a child picking out a Timex watch from Sears. This was nearly 50 years ago though.

How are you doing mate?

 

[enricosonic]

How are you doing mate?

For the most part, peachy. Have been abstaining from watch purchases. That’d be a good thing if the money weren’t being funneled toward guitars. 🙂

I’m liking your idea of a micro brand watch cafe!

 

[PowerChucker]

I have been in a lot of brick and mortar watch store, however none of the over 150 watches I’ve had in the past 8 years were purchased in one lol.


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[Lesnerelli23]

Bought a MoonSwatch in Las Vegas in June of ‘22

Bought my Omega Planet Ocean in the Omega Boutique in January of ‘22

Picked up the Tudor Black Bay 58 from an AD in July of ‘21

And, my first was my Rolex Sub Date from an AD in September of ‘19.

The rest have been forum deals, Chrono24, or other online retailers like Gnommon or Jomashop. I much prefer going to an AD but usually the pricing online, and the selection, is much better!!!!


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[Gary]

Back in July 2015 at Costco I picked up my first Citizen Eco-Drive. I’m pretty sure that’s the last one I bought in a b and m store