78 November 2019_Esquire
S
pending four figures on a watch is the begin-
ning of a long-term relationship, so it pays to go
through a respectable courtship period first. If
you’ve already got your heart set on a particu-
lar brand, or just a couple, the monobrand boutiques
will likely offer you the deepest and most knowledge-
able service, both before and after they have nailed you
as a customer. Maintenance is also something to con-
sider, and service varies from brand to brand, so it’s a
good idea to ask. Some will service on-site or at a lo-
cal certified facility. But if you really put your watch
through the grinder, they may recommend that it go on
a lengthy and sometimes costly holiday in Switzerland.
If, on the other hand, you want to play the field a
little (to further strangle the metaphor), try the new
breed of multibrand stores. Watches of Switzerland, a
newcomer to the U. S., already has two sizable stores
in New York, in SoHo and Hudson Yards, with a third
in Las Vegas. They feature concessions for many lead-
ing watchmakers and an accessible mood far removed
from that of traditional jewelry and watch stores. Ask
about maintenance here, too. —Nick SullivanFIVE
Ways to Buy a
WAT C H
and the
Best New Watches of the Year
FROM MECHANICAL TO SMARTWATCH, AFFORDABLE
TO ASTRONOMICAL, VINTAGE TO
BRAND-NEW, HERE’S EVERYTHING YOU NEED
TO KNOW ABOUT SCORING YOUR
PERFECT TIMEPIECE (OR TIMEPIECES) RIGHT NOWGo Boutique
KNOW YOUR
BRANDS OR WANT
TO DISCOVER
SOME? START
HERE.1
Photographs by Jeffrey Westbrook