Best Watch Stores in Boston
The second-floor watch salon at Shreve, Crump & Low. / Photograph by Jenna Skutnik
For the collector
Shreve, Crump & Low
39 Newbury St., Boston, 617-267-9100, shrevecrumpandlow.com.
If your sweetheart already has a Timex, a Rolex, and an Omega, pay a visit to Shreve, Crump & Low for a unique masterpiece to add to his treasure chest. The second floor of this Newbury Street institution is devoted entirely to covetable tickers from hard-to-find brands such as Baume & Mercier and Hublot. Laid out like a museum, the watch salon can be a bit overwhelming, but knowledgeable staffers make it easy to find that rare gem of a timepiece.
Must-Buy: Vacheron Constantin “Traditionnelle World Time RG” pink-gold watch with alligator strap, $48,000.
For the minimalist
LTHR Supply
lthrsupply.com.
Aided by a Kickstarter campaign, LTHR Supply crafts ultramodern watches designed right here in the Hub. Available in countless finishes and leathers, they feature analog faces that display time like a digital readout—a unique take on the standard two-hand design. Order from the studio’s website, or swing by Sault New England to try before you buy.
Must-Buy: “T1.1” brushed-rose-aureate watch with leather strap, $228.
A retro-cool ticker from Shinola. / Courtesy Photo
For the young at heart
Shinola
Prudential Center, Boston, 617-262-3400, shinola.com.
Bill Clinton, Ashley Olsen, and Barack Obama are just a few of the boldfacers who rock Shinola’s American-made timepieces. Lucky for us, the hipster-approved brand opened its first Boston outpost this fall, showcasing delicate bracelet watches for women, heavy-duty sports chronographs for men, and everything in between.
Must-Buy: “The Runwell Sport Chrono” stainless steel watch, $1,025.
A brilliant Breguet piece from Royal Jewelers. / Courtesy Photo
For the bling queen
Royal Jewelers
58 Main St., Andover, 978-475-3330, royaljewelers.com.
For those who like their wrists to truly sparkle, Royal Jewelers stocks the luxe brands you see on the likes of, well, royalty. Its showroom is packed with timepieces that wear like occasion jewelry, from diamond-encrusted Movado watches to Cartier pieces with Roman-numeral readouts.
Must-Buy: Breguet “Reine de Naples” 18-karat-white-gold watch with diamonds, $61,800.
For the vintage-obsessed
European Watch Company
232 Newbury St., Boston, 617-262-9798, europeanwatch.com.
This gallery has a constantly rotating inventory, as loyal customers buy, sell, and trade their classic watches (owner Albert Ganjei purchases only pieces with impressive pedigrees). Keep an eye on the website—you never know when you’ll spot a vintage Patek Philippe or an art deco Jaeger-LeCoultre circling through.
Must-Buy: Heuer “Pre-Carrera 2444” vintage brushed-stainless-steel watch with cordovan-leather strap, $5,950.
