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NYC — Day 2
Today was watch day and it was a bit underwhelming. I started off at the Panerai Boutique — very pleasant and helpful sales associate. I was hoping to buy a new strap — alligator, maybe in green. I was disappointed to learn that they only had three leather straps in the Boutique that would fit my 44 mm Luminor Marina! Any special order would be 12-15 weeks! The JLC Boutique was next door but I did not go in.
Next — Montblanc. New and large boutique. I looked at pens and leather goods. Nothing caught my fancy. The sales associate stuck to my like glue!
Ah, then the Vacheron Constantine Boutique. Impressive on the outside. Entrance by appointment only, so I didn’t get in. But, no worries — the sales associate at the door said there were no watches inside to be seen! The best thing about the aborted visit, there were two AP executives in town, from Switzerland — they were also turned away — but, we had a nice conversation.
Finally — Cartier — where I did have an appointment. I was hoping to see the new Tank Solar — surely they would have one — the largest Cartier store in the world — alas, not. The sales associate said they had not seen one yet; the new blue, green, and red Must watches are nearly unattainable, as well, and there were almost no Tank watches at the counter. I tried on a Tank Louis Carter in rose gold, but not for me.
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NYC — Day 2
Today was watch day and it was a bit underwhelming. I started off at the Panerai Boutique — very pleasant and helpful sales associate. I was hoping to buy a new strap — alligator, maybe in green. I was disappointed to learn that they only had three leathe...
Thanks for your report, and sorry this visit was not very successful! After making their watches unavailable, I’m glad to notice that some brands are now upping their game and also make their straps unavailable!😂😇
In all seriousness, even though this shortage was unfortunately expected, with many brands it does feel entirely artificial so I can totally understand your disappointment!😉 Cheers.
So today was a 'cheap date' in NYC.
Sorry to hear stocks in stores are virtually nonexistent. Try Etsy for custom 24mm straps, some impressive choices with reasonable pricing.
I was surprised to see that the Cartier “watch room” seems to have been downgraded to the “two cases at the side of the room”.
It’s seems at odds with the fact that Cartier has (to my observations at least) see a big uptick in interest for their new watches. After the renovation of the 5th Ave Flagship watches had a pretty large dedicated space. Not so any more it seems.
They are actually trying to play this stupid game of “ooh, not sure if we have that”.
So stock on display is quiet limited, even for those iconic (mass production) Cartier accessories like the Love or Juste un Clou. (And I can’t tell if you are smiling a little when you made that comment, but I am fan of both. Timeless designs, I see them ...
I'm always smiling a little!
Cartier does have timeless designs. I love me a love bracelet, but the games retailers play are ridiculous!
Disappointing
I live in the DC area so always easy to make trips up to NYC for watch shopping, services, and exhibitions. Haven't visited since late 2018, when the dealer cases were better stocked... It's disappointing that inventory has just gone poof, and I noticed t...
Thanks for sharing
It is always great to visit at watch stores in other countries. Nowadays it feels weird that there are no watches to be seen, not even pieces for trying how they sit on your wrist.
Watch Adventure in NYC by you
A sales person who is glued to your heels, that is annoying. VC store who do not have any watch to show, and Cartier who have not the colored Tanks. Three Richemont brands, i would not forget Panerai.4. AP, JLC. Who knows, The JLC store was the one you re...
