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 New York City?

New York City is something of a watch buying Mecca. The Big Apple has an almost endless number of stores and brand boutiques for your shopping pleasure. A prime example of the quality and choice offered in New York is Cellini Jewelers. They can be found in the landmark Waldorf-Astoria hotel at 301 Park Avenue and also at 509 Madison Avenue at 53rd Street. They have served the City and the world since 1977 carrying fine jewelry and luxury timepieces. Some of you may know of Cellini Jewelry’s Leon Adams  as the author of the “Ask An Expert” column in iW magazine.

aBlogtoWatch: What types of watches are popular in your market? What makes New York a unique place to buy watches?

Cellini Jewelers: This is a very broad question as New York City is a worldwide market. We deal with people from around the world with varying tastes. In general, I would say that most clients prefer fine Swiss mechanical timepieces. Most men prefer strap models and most women prefer bracelet models. NYC is a unique place to buy watches because of the vast selection offered by the major retailers and the factory owned boutiques.

ABTW: What would you tell watch lovers in other cities that watch lovers in New York like?

Cellini Jewelers: I think watch lovers in all cities are approximately the same with similar tastes and desires.

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?”

Cellini Jewelers: I serve a balanced clientele base with approximately 50% tourism and 50% locals.

ABTW: What is New York best known for? What do visitors have to do, see, or eat while there?

Cellini Jewelers: New York City is well know for it’s fabulous restaurants, theater, museums, and fine shopping.

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 New York what would it be?

CJ: We carry in excess of 20 brands of watches:

• Audemars Piguet
• A. Lange and Sohne
• Arnold and Son
• Bell & Ross
• Bulgari
• Cartier
• Chopard
• DeBethune
• Franck Muller
• Gerrard-Perragaux
• Giuliano Mazzzuoli
• Greubel  Forsey
• H. Moser & Cie.
• Hublot
• HYT
• IWC
• Jaeger LeCoultre
• Ludovic Ballouard
• Maîtres de Temps
• Parmigiani Fleurier
• Piaget
• Richard Mille
• Roger Dubuis
• Ulysse Nardin
• Urwerk
• Vacheron Constantin
• Zenith

I think if I had to pick a model that epitomizes the culture and style of New York City, I would choose a Lange 1, by A. Lange and Sohne. cellinijewelers.com