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.
Where to buy watches in Aspen, Colorado?
You might expect a watch store which carries A.Lange & Söhne, Cartier, Harry Winston, Hermes, Hublot, IWC, Rolex, and Vacheron Constantin to be a stuffy place in a mega city. Yet, nestled in a Rocky Mountain valley (at almost 8,000 feet elevation), the town of Aspen is home to Meridian Jewelers, who pride themselves on their unpretentious, laid-back atmosphere. While less than 7,000 people call Aspen home, it is nevertheless a world famous magnet that attracts the rich and famous as well as regular folks to ski and enjoy outdoor activities year round.
A dozen years ago, Kenny and Robin Smith opened Meridian Jewelers in Aspen, Colorado, but this Rocky Mountain town has been home since 1990 to Kenny and 1998 to Robin. While selling watches and jewelry since they opened in 2003, their store just completed a renovation at the end of 2014.
aBlogtoWatch: What types of watches are popular in your market? What makes Aspen a unique place to buy watches?
Meridian Jewelers: Rolex is probably our most popular brand, since it fits the sport lifestyle. Aspen is a unique place to buy watches based on the fact that we carry very unique watches that you won’t find anywhere else in this part of the country. We are also surrounded by extreme beauty, whether it be the mountains, the people, or the jewelry and watches we carry!
ABTW: What would you tell watch lovers in other cities that watch lovers in Aspen like?
Meridian Jewelers: Well traveled, affluent, very knowledgeable collectors.
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?”
Meridian Jewelers: It’s a great mix of locals, 2nd home owners, and what you might call “regular” tourists. Most of whom love to ski and cherish outdoor sports and lifestyle. 50 percent of our customers are quite savvy watch collectors and they come to us for the best watch buying experience.
ABTW: What is Aspen best known for? What do visitors have to do, see, or eat while there?
Meridian Jewelers: Skiing, biking, gold medal fly fishing, outdoor adventures, exceptional restaurants, world class shopping and a year round arts and culture scene which is seldom encountered in small resort towns.
ABTW: As a business, do you sponsor or participate in any local events, watch-related or otherwise?
Meridian Jewelers: We donate to well over a dozen local non-profits throughout the year, in addition to helping sponsor events for The Buddy Program and the Aspen Youth Center. We also have an event coming up in March with Vacheron Constantin where we will be showcasing all the new watches from SIHH.
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 Aspen, what would it be?
Meridian Jewelers: We carry A. Lange & Söhne, Vacheron Constantin, I.W.C., Hublot, Cartier, Hermes, Harry Winston and Rolex. The Rolex Daytona strikes the perfect balance of luxury and sport to match the Aspen lifestyle.
We would also like to mention that we have recently become very active on Instagram and we have purchased one of The Loupe System pieces to capture some really cool pictures and slo-mo videos. Michael Landes of Meridian says to check out his personal Instagram, as well as Meridian Jewelers’ Instagram.
