Looking to go to London soon for some shopping? If you're after a watch you'll want to read this article first!
For many of us who live in the UK, we easily take for granted how much of an international hub London is. And if you’re anything like me who enjoys shopping trips when they feel more like an experience than a chore you’ve also probably taken for granted the ample shopping destinations London has to offer.
Watch shopping in London is incredible. Every household name with history has a retail space from Swatch and Rolex to Richard Mille and A Lange & Sohne. Fortunately for watch enthusiasts, all of these spaces are very close to each other with many of the brands living on the same street. Combine that with the historic Burlington Arcade less than a minute away and you’re left with a safe haven of the biggest and best watchmakers.
Let’s take a look at what you can expect to see when watch shopping in London and more specifically, Mayfair.
Start with the vintage
Burlington Arcade, London - Image Credit: WatchGecko Online Magazine
Let’s start by looking backwards to the past and the selection of vintage and pre-owned watches available in London. Burlington Arcade should be right at the top of your hit list here. Walking through this 200-year-old arcade you’ll find a handful of watch specialists complimented with tailors, shoemakers and high-end menswear. Every visit can yield different outcomes for window shopping. Here’s what we managed to spot on a normal weekday…
Spotted in the windows of Burlington Arcade - Image Credit: WatchGecko Online Magazine
Spotted in the windows of Burlington Arcade - Image Credit: WatchGecko Online Magazine
Spotted in the windows of Burlington Arcade - Image Credit: WatchGecko Online Magazine
Spotted in the windows of Burlington Arcade - Image Credit: WatchGecko Online Magazine
Spotted in the windows of Burlington Arcade - Image Credit: WatchGecko Online Magazine
Spotted in the windows of Burlington Arcade - Image Credit: WatchGecko Online Magazine
Spotted in the windows of Burlington Arcade - Image Credit: WatchGecko Online Magazine
Spotted in the windows of Burlington Arcade - Image Credit: WatchGecko Online Magazine
The above images include shot of shops such as David Duggan, Somlo Antiques, Armour-Winston and Vintage Watch Company. Now you’ll probably know by now David from Vintage Watch Company is a good friend of WatchGecko so as always he welcomed us in and showed us more goodies...
Does anyone recognise the Military style strap? Order yours here! - Image Credit: WatchGecko Online Magazine
A great desert sand vibe here. - Image Credit: WatchGecko Online Magazine
Oh yes, and David had a Paul Newman... - Image Credit: WatchGecko Online Magazine
Loving this combo with a gold Classic Bond - Image Credit: WatchGecko Online Magazine
The Steve McQueen is easily one of the coolest vintage Rolex - Image Credit: WatchGecko Online Magazine
You don't see one of these everyday. - Image Credit: WatchGecko Online Magazine
The Steve McQueen is easily one of the coolest vintage Rolex - Image Credit: WatchGecko Online Magazine
Oh yes, and David had a Paul Newman... - Image Credit: WatchGecko Online Magazine
Loving this combo with a gold Classic Bond - Image Credit: WatchGecko Online Magazine
The Steve McQueen is easily one of the coolest vintage Rolex - Image Credit: WatchGecko Online Magazine
Old / New Bond Street in Mayfair, London
Bond Street Mayfair, London - Image Credit: WatchGecko Online Magazine
Coming straight out of the top of Burlington Arcade and turning left you’ll hit Bond Street. In short, this is the place to be if you’re remotely interested in horology. Lange and Sohne, Rolex, Cartier, Vacheron Constantin, Richard Mille, Omega, JLC, Breguet, Blancpain, Piaget, Bulgari, Chopard, Hublot and Patek all call this place home. You name it and it’ll be here.
Here’s what a short stroll down this street can yield in watch spotting potential...
Spotted in the Breguet store window on Bond Street, London - Image Credit: WatchGecko Online Magazine
A Lange and Sohne in London - Image Credit: WatchGecko Online Magazine
So there you have it, just two areas in London right next to each other in Mayfair with an insane amount of important horology. Whether you’re a window shopper or you’re looking for that special watch London is a gem of a watch spot, a real must for a long weekend in London.
