Welcome back to an aBlogtoWatch original series, where we discuss important stores that sell watches all over the world. Each store we profile has an interesting story to tell about where they operate and who they sell to. Whether you buy watches from brick and mortar retailers or prefer to buy watches online, these are the stores that help shape our watch culture around the globe. There is a long list of stores to cover, but if there is a retail location in your favorite city that we simply can’t miss, let us know in the comments below. Here is a map of stores we have covered so far.
Where to buy watches in Menlo Park, California?
Menlo Park is well-known as a venture capital (VC) hub which funds many of Silicon Valley’s high tech start-ups. So you might expect well-heeled buyers there to embrace techno watches wholeheartedly. However, that is often not the case, according to Stephen Silver who operates two boutiques in the Rosewood Sand Hill Hotel. His boutiques are the only retail presence on the property. Situated across the street from several of the most powerful and influential venture capital firms in Silicon Valley, Stephen Silver Fine Jewelry is a unique and unexpected place to buy ultra high-end watches. Stephen Silver also has a store in nearby Redwood City and has been selling watches since 2014. However, he has been in business selling fine jewelry for 35 years.
Rosewood Sand Hill Hotel
Stephen Silver Fine Jewelry: In a market where smart watches are all the craze, the unique collection of luxury analog watches is a contrasting statement. Silicon Valley’s power players have been making a small departure from technology and investing in rare Swiss timepieces. Given the elite stature of these buyers, many luxury watch brands are viewed as too mainstream and lacking the innovation buyers experience in their careers. This makes Stephen Silver’s curated collection of high end timepieces a standout. The brands are best-in-class and limited production pieces, increasing their lure to Silicon Valley’s jet set.
From left: Stephen Silver with Stephen Forsey and Emmanuel Vuille (CEO) of Greubel Forsey
ABTW: What would you tell watch lovers in other cities that watch lovers in Menlo Park like?
Stephen Silver Fine Jewelry: This is a very affluent market with a healthy group of connoisseurs and collectors of rare timepieces. Known for innovation and technology, watch lovers in Silicon Valley tend to be drawn to best-in-class watches with extensive complications.
ABTW: Do you serve mostly locals or tourists, or is it a good mix? Also, what percentage of your customers would you call “knowledgeable watch collectors?”
Stephen Silver Fine Jewelry: The Rosewood Hotel is a popular destination for power lunches and investor meetings. Hotel guests are also a considerable source of foot traffic that comes through the store. Given the property’s location, guests are mostly business travelers.
Stephen Silver with Stephen Forsey
ABTW: What is Menlo Park best known for? What do visitors have to do, see, or eat while there?
Stephen Silver Fine Jewelry: Menlo Park is best known for being the incubator and funding source for some of the world’s most amazing companies.
ABTW: As a business, do you sponsor or participate in any local events, watch-related or otherwise?
Stephen Silver Fine Jewelry: Yes. We host a number of intimate events with collectors in the area.
ABTW: What are some of the watch brands you are known for carrying? If you could pick a watch brand or model that epitomizes the culture or style of Menlo Park what would it be?
Stephen Silver Fine Jewelry: Gruebel Forsey, MB&F, Richard Mille, and Audemars Piguet have been the biggest draws to the store, and each of these brands represent a different facet of our clientele in Silicon Valley from the VCs to the engineers who founded many of the largest technology companies in the area. Each is looking for something a little different, and our brand mix represents this unique market. stephensilverfinejewelry.com
