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 Newport Beach, California?
Founded as a family business, Traditional Jewelers traces its origin to 40 years ago in Jackson, Mississippi, but has been in Newport Beach, California, for over 35 years. The firm was purchased from a surviving founder in 2012 by Hyde Park who is an independent jeweler with locations in Denver, Colorado, and Phoenix, Arizona, as well as having a Rolex boutique in Las Vegas and mono-brand watch boutiques in Denver. Traditional Jewelers has been selling watches ever since the company was founded in 1975 in Jackson.
aBlogtoWatch: What types of watches are popular in your market? What makes Newport Beach a unique place to buy watches?
Traditional Jewelers: Newport Beach epitomizes luxury, beauty, and the best things in life. Our most popular watches truly follow suit — Rolex, Patek Philippe, A. Lange & Söhne, Audemars Piguet, Panerai, Cartier, and Omega. We carry over 20 of the most world-renowned watch brands and receive some of the most coveted and exclusive watches as a result of our longstanding relationships with many of those brands.
ABTW: What would you tell watch lovers in other cities about the tastes of watch lovers in Newport Beach?
Traditional Jewelers: Newport Beach watch lovers have incredibly refined taste. They prefer a blend of sophistication and high complication movements, limited edition timepieces, and are more concerned with the craftsmanship, design, and heritage of a piece than the price.
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?”
Traditional Jewelers: Newport beach is a destination city for both US and international travelers and as a result, we are incredibly lucky to have a fantastic mix of locals and tourists. At least 1/3 of our customers are “knowledgeable watch collectors” and thanks to our wonderful staff, even those customers who are not, leave Traditional Jewelers with more knowledge and appreciation for the timepieces we carry.
ABTW: What is Newport Beach best known for? What do visitors have to do, see, or eat while there?
Traditional Jewelers: Newport Beach is best known for radiant sun, sand, and surf, but the beautiful water and endless beaches are not the only things visitors should enjoy while here. Newport Beach is also known for its amazing shopping and incredible dedication to fine arts. Plus, with more than 400 restaurants, dining is one of the city’s celebrated pastimes.
ABTW: As a business, do you sponsor or participate in any local events, watch-related or otherwise?
Traditional Jewelers: Traditional Jewelers has a legacy of providing support for nonprofit organizations. We strive to build strong relationship in the Newport Beach community and focus on organizations that make the community a better place to live. We contribute to these initiatives through both direct giving, as well as through our non-profit foundation, Diamonds in the Rough Foundation. In addition, we are also incredibly proud of the events we curate for our invite-only Watch Collectors Society.
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 Newport Beach what would it be?
Traditional Jewelers: Traditional Jewelers is known for carrying the finest brands the watch world has to offer. The Newport Beach style and culture can be epitomized in the Patek Philippe 5270R, exquisite in design and construction, with grand complications and incredible wearability. This timepiece can easily be dressed with a suit and tie or with the most casual of apparel. traditionaljewelers.com
