New Watch Boutiques Abound—Just In Time For Summer Travel

Summer travel plans might pose the questions, “Where to?” and “What do we do when we get there?” And both require big decisions. For watch aficionados, it’s fun to ponder potential side trips at your divined destination—a time to sneak away for an hour or two or three to indulge hobbies and interests. After all, who doesn’t need a little “me time” while on vacation?

Here are a few watch-centric luxury boutiques that have recently popped up in major cities (and one principality). Each would provide enjoyable diversion, whether strolling through Gotham City or the City by the Bay.

A. Lange & Söhne in San Francisco

On April 24, A. Lange & Söhne opened its first Lange Salon in the U.S., located at 140 Geary Street in Union Square, in the landmark Sachs Building on the third floor. The elegant 1,539-square-foot space is the perfect gathering place for San Francisco watch enthusiasts wishing to explore a curated assortment of timepieces, including a variety of boutique exclusive, limited edition and core collection timepieces. The Salon also features a Lange “Experience Library” that tells the brand’s story through a set of carefully selected exhibits and artifacts.

Three lounges, a central community area and a hospitality bar invite guests to pull up a chair and stay a while. And the media room features a 98-inch high-definition home theater allowing guests to examine—on demand—the technical specifications of selected Lange movements.

IWC in NYC

IWC Schaffhausen announced the opening of its flagship boutique at 535 Madison Avenue in New York City earlier this month. The modern 2,357-square-foot interior features a black and white color scheme and large floor-to-ceiling windows that artfully blur the lines between the inside and out. A fully visible watchmaker atelier, a product test lab display and the Portugieser individualization service are on site, as are, of course, the IWC watch collections. Visitors may observe the artisanal skills of an IWC watchmaker working on IWC-manufactured movements: a Cyberloupe® connects to a large screen on the back wall, allowing a closer look at the tiny components inside.

Jaeger-LeCoultre in NYC

Located at the same address as the Maison’s previous boutique at 701 Madison Avenue, the new Jaeger-LeCoultre flagship is larger and more contemporary than its predecessor. Across from the entrance is the Craftsmanship Table, which invites visitors to discover the beauty of the brand’s Métiers Rares, including enameling, engraving and gem-setting. On the wall behind, a display case houses a selection of rare timepieces from the current collection.

No story is left untold: the Cabinet de Curiosités includes a screen where visitors may choose from a library of nine educational In The Making videos and a display of engraved and lacquered Reverso casebacks that will take your breath away. An interactive caliber wall showcases some of the most emblematic of the 1,400+ calibers created by the Maison since its founding.

Montblanc in Beverly Hills

Enter the world of cinema and the design universe of Montblanc at the new Montblanc Chalet Pop Up at 459 North Rodeo Drive. Opened in honor of the 100th anniversary of the Meisterstuck, the Beverly Hills boutique will be open through July 31. Exclusive collections of leather, watches, pens and other accessories are displayed in high style throughout the inviting space, which was imagined by filmmaker and screenwriter Wes Anderson. Here, guests may write postcards destined for loved ones or customize their pen via the Bespoke Nib configurator to ensure a tailor-made writing experience.

A one-of-a-kind desk designed by Montblanc Artistic Director Marco Tomasetta is an ogle-worthy centerpiece where visitors may get up close and personal with Montblanc pens, experimenting with various models, inks and nib widths. Weekly activities are also on the schedule at the boutique, including journaling workshops, a speaker series and even a cocktail-making class.

Panerai in Honolulu

Panerai’s newest boutique opened in Honolulu, Hawaii, on May 14. Situated in the Ala Moana Center, its thoughtful design includes a dramatic luminescent clock that recalls the Super-Luminova® fluorescence on Panerai watches. The fully operational timepiece, strategically placed for utmost visibility, is a distinct and unmistakable nod to Panerai’s roots.

The aesthetic of the store is further enhanced by a marble-effect floor, a reference to Italy’s rich history in architecture, and wood veneer and metal grids that add to the space’s contemporary look. The brand’s signature blue color, symbolizing Panerai’s seafaring origins and the world of diving, are evident throughout. A selection of high-complication Panerai watches and interactive screens are a further invitation to stay a while and explore, as is the modular lounge that includes a collection of Italian lifestyle and design books available for browsing.

Also this month, Panerai, announced the grand opening of a boutique in Boston, MA. It is located on Newbury Street—a vibrant shopping and dining district.

TAG Heuer in Monaco

This month TAG Heuer opened a new 20-square-meter boutique in the Principality of Monaco on Place du Casino. The store opening, which complements its Aubéri Group stores in nearby Nice and Cannes, coincides with the introduction of a new limited edition Monaco Chronograph, launched on May 11. The 50-piece collection is driven by a Heuer 02 manufacture movement, housed in a titanium case engraved, ‘ÉDITION LIMITÉE XXX / 50’.

Monaco, known for its strong ties to motor racing, is the cradle of Formula 1. This year it played host to the Historic Grand Prix from May 10 to 12, welcoming drivers, enthusiasts and athletes from around the world.