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Old 16 August 2020, 05:58 AM   #1
swen86
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Chicago Luxury Watch Store?

Hi all.
Heading to Chicago next weekend to (hopefully) drop my daughter off for college and I was looking to do a little watch shopping while there.

Any recommendations? Is there a Mecca of high horology in the windy city? A Watches of Switzerland type boutique?
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Old 16 August 2020, 06:56 AM   #2
Verbow
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I’d spend some time in the Oak Street/ Michigan Avenue area. Swiss Fine Timing and Marshall Pierce would be great places to start with a few others in walking distance.

Word of warning - I spoke to Daniel from Swiss Fine Timing this morning and he said due to the looting last weekend they’re boarded up and currently appointment only. I’m not sure when that’s changing but I’d suggest giving them a call first.

There’s also a number of boutiques in that area - Omega, ALS, Panerai, and IWC.

Have fun!
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Old 16 August 2020, 08:28 AM   #3
chiscott_29
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I’d spend some time in the Oak Street/ Michigan Avenue area. Swiss Fine Timing and Marshall Pierce would be great places to start with a few others in walking distance.

Word of warning - I spoke to Daniel from Swiss Fine Timing this morning and he said due to the looting last weekend they’re boarded up and currently appointment only. I’m not sure when that’s changing but I’d suggest giving them a call first.

There’s also a number of boutiques in that area - Omega, ALS, Panerai, and IWC.

Have fun!
First off, unfortunately the looting has really impacted downtown Chicago and you might find several places are closed or by appointment. If it works out for you though, definitely drop by Swiss Fine Timing and pay a visit - It'll be well worth your time. Ask to say hi to Daniel - Great guy for sure.

You don't say what type of watches you're after. If you want an excellent pre-owned selection ranging from entry level to very high end, I'd recommend Burdeen's. They are out in Buffalo Grove, which is about 40 minutes outside of the city. If you want a contact there, PM me.

There is also B Young Jewelers which operates at the Bentley dealership. The watches on site there of course are the very high end.

I believe our Richard Mille boutique just opened as well on Oak St. RM isn't my style and I'm thankful for that since I can't afford anything there, but certainly a cool place to check out I'm sure.
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Old 16 August 2020, 09:49 AM   #4
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Probably anywhere there was rioting and looting is where the high end watch stores are located.............
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Old 16 August 2020, 10:28 AM   #5
swen86
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Thanks everybody! Good stuff! I’ll report back once I return.
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Old 16 August 2020, 10:52 AM   #6
uscmatt99
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Burdeen’s is fantastic and worth the trip out if you have the time. I purchased my pre-owned FPJ there before things heated up for that brand. They also operate boutiques for ALS, Panerai, and IWC at the Waldorf Astoria hotel in the Mag Mile area. Swiss Fine Time is also a wonderful store, very friendly staff with a mix of good brands and some pre-owned pieces as well.
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Old 16 August 2020, 02:04 PM   #7
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Downtown there is Swiss Fine Timing, Razny, Geneva Seal, RM boutique, Lange+IWC+Panerai (owned by Burdeens), Marshall Pierce, Sydel & Sydel, and the Rolex boutique. For all of these you should call ahead to make sure they’re open and make appointments if necessary. Yes, the looting has made things a little tough but Chicago will bounce back. We have many great collectors here.
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Old 16 August 2020, 02:16 PM   #8
~JJ
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Gotta checkout Howard Frum, total old school grey with every watch around.
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Old 16 August 2020, 09:46 PM   #9
MichaelFlash
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What a world we live in when we have to consider the looting going on before shopping somewhere. Me thinks our so called first world problems will no longer be first world, just problems.
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Old 16 August 2020, 11:13 PM   #10
vman
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What a world we live in when we have to consider the looting going on before shopping somewhere. Me thinks our so called first world problems will no longer be first world, just problems.
It is said... At the same time, many of those problems are not new. They have been brewing for years and now the issues are bubbling up.

I loved watch shopping in Chicago and hit up many places mentioned in this thread. The hardest thing was to walk after eating all that Chicago style pizza.
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Old 17 August 2020, 03:47 AM   #11
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Gotta checkout Howard Frum, total old school grey with every watch around.


I second this


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Old 17 August 2020, 04:09 AM   #12
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Burdeens for sure !
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Old 21 August 2020, 05:52 AM   #13
thewatchidiot
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I’ve purchased at Burdeens and sydel and sydel. Both carry high end watches.
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Old 21 August 2020, 06:46 AM   #14
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I’ve purchased at Burdeens and sydel and sydel. Both carry high end watches.
All good choices. I like Sydel’s diversity of Grand Seiko, H. Moser and other high-end watches. Their pre-owned had ALS and others desirables last time I stopped in. Note: Sydel is in the Loop, not the Mag Mile (Michigan Ave.) where most of the other boutiques and ADs mentioned sit.

Howard Frum is also in the Loop - Jeweler’s Row (Wabash). A stone’s throw from Millennium Park.
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Old 25 August 2020, 06:24 AM   #15
swen86
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Just a quick update, I visited Howard Frum and it was a great experience! Howard is a great guy! Gonna head back tomorrow with the bride. I’ll be checking out Sydel & Sydel at some point as well as the shops in the Magnificent Mile area.
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Old 1 September 2020, 06:34 AM   #16
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Hope you had a chance to visit us! If not we hope to see you the next time you're in town!

Best,
Kevin
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